Fines

If you have disputes regarding your fines, please find me personally or contact me on msn/fb chat/phone.

Asking it on public platforms on the internet is only going to disgrace/embarrass yourself.

The last time I checked, getting fined wasn't something to be proud of.

Thanks,
Yuxin

Winning formula = Excellence mindset + Lots of pride*

*Lots of pride here don't mean complacency

Friendly reminder

Please remember stick your scores (if you haven't---technically you should have stick them long ago )

Hi guys!
Remember to memorize Ases Tod by this Friday, 25 Feb! Take note of the dynamic changes, bowings and especially how to shift your bow near the fingerboard when it's pp. Good luck!

Ben

♪dhStrings

Hey guys, ben here. Though we didn't manage to achieve today's goal of having no fines at all, but I know all of you can do it someday!

For those who're still in the dark or have been living in a cave for past practices,

Please bring your scores that are stuck, pencils, erasers and ensure that your nails are trimmed properly (1mm max). I know reiterating all these small rules might seem a bit naggy, but please try to adhere to them. If we can ensure that these basic rules are being followed, then we can move on to bigger things such as playing as an ensemble together and many more meaningful things rather than having the seniors shouting at you.

That aside, for those who have msn, consider putting in the following: ♪dhStrings: Practice slowly. Those after the colon can be replaced with any thing that you feel you need to improve, I will be confirming the syf dates soon, so this msn name will serve as a reminder to you and other members to practice daily and work hard!

I know practicing daily might be difficult due to workload, but try to at least read through the scores daily so as to remind yourself the pointers that mku has given out. By remembering the pointers, mku will be able to proceed on to perfecting other areas, and we can definitely improve as an ensemble.

Remember, rome was not built in one day, so I believe if everyone puts in their effort for syf, we'd be able to achieve the results that we want!

加油加油加油!!!

What you give is exactly what you receive~

I know Shakira sang this, but doesn't it apply to everday life?

From your homework to practices in preparation for SYF...

You mug hard everyday, you'll get your desired results (lets say an A in all subjects)

You practice for ½ -1 hour everyday, you've nail the piece!

After all, no pain no gain.

Just hold on awhile more, and its show time!(Doesn't mean you stop practicing after that)

Repeating what Mei Hui had say...

You don’t have to wait for someone to do something.

You don’t have to be someone to do something.

You don’t need big events like SYF to prove your worth.

Nothing is too big or small to achieve, and you’ll never know what you can do until you really try.

-Xin Yan

Read. Reflect. Respond

Hi all, this was what Ms Ku sent out to us and what some of the seniors' response in Nov 2009.

Yep, 2009, the year which we got our 3rd consecutive GWH.

I know some of the seniors might have read these, but do read through it again and reflect on what we can do to achieve what we want & not disappoint Ms Ku and all those who had pin their hopes on us .

No matter what you do/feel after you read through this long post, I hope that all of you can remember this:

It takes hard work and long years to build up a golden reputation, but it only takes seconds to destroy everything that you've been working so hard for.

We spent months practicing, memorizing, tearing over the blisters that appeared on our hands, and after all these hard work, and everything is going to go down the drain during the 5 mins that we are on stage?

I urge all of you not to make it so. None of us wish DHSSE to be laughed at, do we?

-Xin Yan

---

Dear All,
2009 has been a most remarkable year in the 15 years of SE's existence. It saw many firsts---first time it was proclaimed the top string ensemble, first time we realized our dream of establishing a JC ensemble AND placing it on a competitive stage, first time we own a room (not shared with MEP or an afterthought from the school)... and the first time I regret not dissolving SE when Mr Tan suggested it ten years ago.

Since 29 April 2009, many people have come to tell me "SE has come a long way". It certainly has. From 7 members to nearly 60 today, each additional member is a result of months/years of pleading. Each event, be it camp, concert, overseas trip, caroling or busking, is the accumulation of painful, hard-learned experience over the 15 years. Each folder in the library reflects hours of begging, stealing, typing and zapping.

Over the past two weeks, I have come to realize all our efforts have been in vain. What is SE today? A proud and complacent bunch who can't play a tenth as well as most other string ensembles but finds it not worthwhile to learn from fellow peers, committee members who despise their own posts, various individuals who think it reasonable to skip practices and training camps and prioritize their private activities, and others who attempt to reduce SE to a second cca.

Instead of calculating what SE can do for you, perhaps, for the first time in your life, think of what you can do for SE. I don't have to spell out what SE has done to each and every one of you. Without SE, half of you would not be playing a string instrument today, and the other half would either be still scraping away mournfully in the misery of your bedroom or buried your instrument out of frustration. Not to mention the friends you have made, the knowledge gleaned, awkward techniques overcome by peer support/pressure, comradeship shared especially in bad times.

If SE continues in its present condition, I believe it is time to end its glorious existence. Better to finish at the peak than to witness its downfall. Let's just say we have let our seniors and alumni down.

MKu

---

I have no idea what happened or why it happened but for Ms Ku to write this email and announce that she regrets not dissolving SE simply breaks my heart.

Please don't allow this to happen. SE has played such an important role in my life and I don't want to see part of my memory vanish especially not in the hands of you guys. I've seen you all play! Top ensemble! Achieved thru sheer hard work and guidance. Please don't throw this away. You will regret it so much.

Please think about the good times, the bad times, the fun times, and sad times, and all the times you've been thru with SE.

I beg you to wake up. Please.

-Nicole

---

Dear Juniors,
Just some 7 months ago, DHSSE was given the top ensemble status, for which we (Year 6s) dare say that you deserved it. In that moment of triumph, it would be easy for all, if not most of you to say "I love SE" , " may the passion/ honours burn on" and what not. However, if you sincerely meant what you said back then, it is perhaps timely to reflect upon the appropriate attitude that you should have.

There is only so much that teachers or seniors can say about how 'SE has come a long way' because of efforts put in by previous batches of SE members. Ultimately, it is the tangible actions that you take now which determine SE's future.

We hope that the situation improves when we drop by for your holiday practices after our exams.

Please keep the right spirit going.

Year 6s '09

---

Dear DHSSE,

I have the urge to pen down a long note but I shall try to do a short one for now, cause I'm a little busy at the moment. I agree very much with the Year6s and Nicole. Ms Ku usually doesn't pen such emails unless she really feels the need to do so. I just want to say, remember all your enthusiasm and passion when you guys declared your love for SE during the post-SYF period, through MSN status nicks and all. Where is all that passion today?

Perhaps after clinching the Gold with Honours (which we did deserve at that point in time), you guys have gotten really complacent. I'm sure all of you do know (or at least have an idea) of the shape you're in right now, and what your music sounds like currently. I'm sure you don't want to go to practices and play not-very-nicely and question, doubt or even feel embarrassed of your "Gold with Honours" award. Perhaps you might feel rather "sian" or discouraged because it feels like an uphill task to climb back to where you all were months ago, but I'm telling you, you guys can do it if you really put your hearts into it. Don't think that because you don't have strong players or whatever, you have to make lousy music. DHSSE has never been about the individual but the spirit, power and sound of a group.

Maybe, just maybe, I'm guessing if the problem is about attitude, maybe you guys don't feel any motivation to work towards anything right now. Thing is, you don't always have to wait till SYF to prove your worth. You shouldn't. And don't wait for someone else to start doing something. And don't think that you have to be somebody to start doing something. If anyone of you feels that you want to do something about the situation, just go ahead, be brave and take the initiative. There will be people who will appreciate what you are doing.

I don't expect it to be easy, perhaps even more difficult for some sections. But I urge everyone to just try, and do something about it. If you feel that you can't solve something on your own, or if you have some opinions/ideas, do talk to Ms Ku about it and I'm sure she'll be very happy to discuss it with you. With this, I must bring extra attention on the leaders, be it organizational leaders like chair/vice-chair or musical leaders like CM/section leaders. Work together right now, hold meetings and term it the "Save-the-SE" meeting or something (gives it more urgency and impetus). Introduce new initiatives, organize bonding activities, come up with fun ideas to improve spirit, and get things effectively organized. Be aggressive about it if you like, at least that's better than nothing at all. You need to be strong in times like this. Of course, let me stress again, you guys are expected to take the initiative, but it doesn't necessarily have to be you guys. Everyone has the right and responsibility to do so.

I think I am making quite a lot of assumptions and doing some guesswork here and there, hence I apologize if I'm making any wrong statements. I don't know how much this will help, and talk is cheap, but I really hope SE will remain a wonderful place for everyone because it takes up a special place in my heart, as well as that of Ms Ku's, many other seniors and alumnis, and I hope it's the same for you guys too. I believe all of you love making music together. Let's find that passion back, orientate our minds in the right frame and attitude, andkeep the love going. Words can't describe the extent to which I miss playing in an ensemble.

Oh my gosh now that wasn't exactly a short one -.- My bad habit to be long-winded. If there's anything I can do, let me know, or if any of you wants to discuss about something, I can always offer a listening ear or opinions and suggestions. I'm just an email away (:

Meanwhile, to all Year6s taking the A levels, all the best!

Mei Hui

---

(the words in red were highlighted by me)

Look what I found posted on Facebook, for the benefit of those who did not have access to it, or those who did not see it:

Syf is less than 8 weeks away and there are people who have yet to sense the urgency of it and remain utterly complacent. Have we degraded ourselves to be yet a group of people who will fail to continue this legacy so painstakingly built up, or will we strive to fight for what's ours? The answer is in every sense obvious, it just depends on the effort that we will put in to salvage the situation.

Please reflect.

-Yuxin

The True DHSSE Spirit

Many of you may be unfamiliar with what SE was like in the past, so here's a few posts found by Ben and I while we were reading through the archives which may help you see what SE was like, and may hopefully make you feel more bonded to SE.

All of them were posts from the seniors prior to SYF 2007, very much like our situation now. Do read.

I know it's a really long post (made up of many old and long posts), but they're really really applicable to our situation now, so please read them.

The words in red were highlighted by me.

_____

Dear SE members, current and past, 

Many thanks to all who have worked very hard for this year's SYF and concert. Most of the guests who came were thrilled and felt everybody performed very well and beautifully. Many were touched by the pieces and the level of musicality done. I am very proud of you all because it has fulfilled a dream to reach out to the public and young people, about the joys of music-making. 

There were many who viewed the pictures outside and were touched by the years of hard work and dedication captured by the photos of past years and current. It was like a mini gallery. I wanted this to be featured as a yearly thing so those who come back to the concert feel like a real family, seeing family shots. All the smiles, focused looks of playing, artistic shots of hands, insts .. :) those were meant to capture the artistic and yet fiercely passionate side of the SE. I'd like to thank Ling Hong, Gloria for spending late nights designing the layout and to Ka Wai for carrying those easels. 

I have asked Wen Jin for feedback and was very touched. Hence, I asked him to post it on the blog http://dhstrings.blogspot.com :) to encourage you all to spur to greater heights. Do drop by to read it as I feel it reflects his joy and support of DHSSE.

Those who came, I hope you enjoyed the programme booklets we have SO MANY like 200 despite more than the nos getting snapped up. :D :D If you want, we can SEND IT to you :) It is a work of pride and joy, designed by Mei Hui in layout and style, photos by Meng Shuen (our cool student photographer) and printed by current Sec 4 Joel. I think you guys set a record new standard even for aesthetic and art :) 

It didn't matter if notes went out of tune or slips were here and there. It was rising up to the challenge of playing difficult pieces and feeling the joy and passion of sharing music that's important. 

It has been a tough 6 months for SE. With new leadership, new ways of doing things, I understand that changes have not been easy for you. However, I feel that it has been for the better and that with Ms Ku, we've been able and trying to pave a new and clearer path for all of you. Ms Ku and Mr Song did a very good job with all of you and many gave feedback that it was such an enjoyable and touching performance led well by Ms Ku. We scolded, pushed, counselled, stayed till shadows creeped into the night...but we hope that you can feel that we are behind you all the way. 

All those who helped out: choir students, backstage, they played a part too. I've never seen a more hardworking and enthusiastic group of students. Kudos to Mrs Loke for that! :)

I hope that with Yr 5s starting off an exciting new era, more challenging music can be played, more groups can be formed and the foundation of chamber music can be set in place. You played well and must now see the next year and a half as a time to push music making to greater heights. 

To the alumni that has ceaselessly and tirelessly returned back to help, I can't stop to thank you enough. I'm very grateful for your hardwork and dedication. I was very touched to see so many current J2s, J1s, past years' graduates returning to perform/coach/give encouragement and chocolates..without you, there would be no DHSSE either. Your feedback, helpful comments and suggestions have always been instrumental in guiding the SE and we are grateful for your time and energy with us :)

Well done all and rest well this June. 

Thank you for teaching me what the real DHSSE spirit is all about.

Ms Tan

_____

Hi Guys

Congrats for your very successful concert!

It has been rare privilege to witness the evolution of sibelius romanze from the version I heard in dec last year, the one 1 week before syf and the lastest version so stunning and well-done in the concert. Every sound just came across as so heartfelt I knew it was the crystallization of all your tears and sweat. The experience was unreal. 

Not everyone in SE is an aspiring soloist. Not everyone in SE came in playing well (if they play a string instrument at all), yet it always fascinates me how SE managed to work together to neutralize each other’s weakness and amplify the strengths year after year. It is so heart-warming to see people grow to become stronger players, a process that can only be the attributed hard work and correct methods. Congrats for once again embarking on and then follow through the seemingly daunting journey. You guys have made the sum worth more than its parts, and the parts worth adding up together. 

For those who are struggling, don’t despair. Persevere and you will find it all worthwhile. Do continue to work hard to keep the spirit burning! 

And the entire programme was fantastic! I totally loved it! 

Kudos to Ms Ku, teachers-in-charge, seniors, alumni that helped out and you guys who believed in the group. 

Hurray!

Lau Wen Jin

_____

I confess to losing my cool with a certain section this week on monday, but if you guys could see it from my point of view, it's really tiring to want to pull this heavy load up without it moving an inch. You guys have no idea how i badly i want everybody to do their best for SYF. You have no way of salvaging that regret that's gonna dig at your confidence for days, months and years to come should you not do your best on 20th april. Ironic when everyone's clawing their way to an honours, we're sitting in a room feeling 'sian'. Please. Dont. By the time you recover from the shock, SYF's gonna be over in a minute.

All the remedies and tips have been dished out by different people over the span of 22 posts in this blog. If you really mean to play well, i say go read the archives and take note of those things. Do whatever it takes to make you remember them. It's annoying, REALLY, to start from the bottomline every week. 

Each time at sectionals, i always celebrate the little bit of improvement made over the few hours cause i can see the work. But you guys always manage to lose it bit by bit (by ignoring your instrument over 4 days? that's all it takes.), so much so that the next time you return, it's zero again. It's an absolute waste of time, when you guys could be building on from what was taught previously, and then learning how to play the piece musically instead of focusing on the technicalities. 

On hindsight, sometimes i feel like i shouldnt have lost my temper with the section i was taking, but i really felt helpless at that point of time. I wanted to do so much, but the basics were not even there. Please do yourselves a huge favour and start remembering everything, AND PLEASE PRACTISE. Countless people are behind you guys so dont you ever dare to give up. Not now, when it's 7 days to SYF. 

I really love SE, and i hope for everyone to do their best, because when you guys play from the heart, it truly touches. 

Keep the goal in mind and go down for it. Hard. All the best.

Taxy.

_____

Hi everybody-

It's down to only 8 days of proper practice, and if the sense of urgency hasn't yet set in, then I have nothing else to say. 

It was disappointing to discover that some of you are still not practising your parts at home with a metronome and tuner. Either you feel that you don't need these trusty devices, or you simply can't be bothered to use them. Even if you generally have good intonation and rhythm sense, it doesn't hurt to double check once in a while. And for those of you who don't, all the more you should use them. The metronome and tuner are FAR more reliable than us seniors or teachers when it comes to pointing out such technical flaws, so I don't see why some of you simply don't make full use of them. 

Many of you come for sectionals unprepared, and when this happens, we have no choice but to stop the progress (if any) and fix each of you INDIVIDUALLY. What's the point of coming together in groups when your individual parts aren't taken care of? As a result, many of you find your time slowly slipping through your fingers, because all you can do is sit and watch while each person gets his or her flaws corrected. Right? WRONG. As Miss Ku has emphasized countless times, PRACTISE YOUR FINGERING (shifts, stretches etc) while waiting instead of watching your youth gradually wasting away with each passing second. I'm sure this would be more productive than say, watching a couple of fishes swimming in a tank. (you know who you are) 

The main purpose of practising in small chamber groups is to work on the ensemble element of your playing: balance, coordination, group dynamics etc. If you do not come prepared individually, you will NOT benefit as you are too caught up with your own inability to play in tune or in time. If you have not been doing anything about it, now is the time to BUCK UP. Even though it is in fact much too late to get started, anything is better than nothing. Doing something the same way over and over again and expecting different results is a form of insanity! As Meihui has rightfully pointed out, practise SLOW, make sure you get everything right, then gradually work up to performance speed. Honestly, all this should have been done at least 8 weeks before the big day, as opposed to the 8 days that you are left with.  

In spite of the seemingly small number of ensembles that you are up against, competition is VERY stiff. I've heard news about the ongoing band syf. 8 of the 14 bands who had previously gotten the gold with honours award have played: FIVE have been demoted to SILVER, TWO to gold, and only ONE managed to maintain the honours. Even though I don't quite know the cause of these shocking statistics, a possibility to consider is COMPLACENCY. For the benefit of some of you, a definition of COMPLACENCY as given by Websters' dictionary is as follows: 

A feeling of quiet pleasure based on self-satisfaction, usually coupled with a lack of awareness of existing or potential problems. 

I don't see the need to explain that any further. If you feel that the gold with honours will be magically bestowed upon us just because we have attained that standard before, you could not be more wrong. Consider the consequences if you do not maintain the honours. As much as Meihui, Yunshan, Taxy and I would like to play, all we can do is sit by the side, nag and hope that some of it enters some of your stubbornly thick skulls. It is certainly frustrating for us, so we have justifiable reasons for running on short fuses. While some of you might be silently fuming at us for this incessant nagging, the truth is we don't really care. To put it magnanimously, we would sacrifice our stellar reputations as long as it delivers results.  

Now perhaps you could roll your eyes in the direction of your scores, tuner, metronome, and instruments and PRACTISE.  

Aaron

_____

The annonymous senior who wrote the stuff at the bottom...is right. I couldn't agree more.

You mustn't feel sian at this point when you haven't reached the targetted sound. DHSSE is not made up of losers. 

But I want you guys to seriously take note of what's written by her/him. You have to realise why all this nagging, advice is directed at you. If you ignore it, roll your eyes at it and slack at your practice, the one who will be blamed (tho no one will say it), the one who will only realise it too late two years later when you will be struggling in your own SYF nightmare again, is you. Nobody else. 

We won't say it, but it will always be remembered...for the next 365x2 days of everyone's lives... 

nice thought isn't it? 

So! To avoid feeling guilty, regretful, you need to work together. 

Sure you feel frustrated, everybody does. Those who can play but can't becoz they are older. Those who are playing and who want to fight but can't do it alone. No battle is won by one man, it's won by a team, an army, an entire legion. All of fate is in your hands, all 32 of you, plus the entire legacy of sweat and hard work by past Dunman seniors. So easy to blame each other, and THIS is the archilles heel, the weakest part of the argument. 

I have seen a rugby team made out of tiny players defeat a team made out of huge players. 

It's all about practising SMART and working as a TEAM. 

Guys, you need to bring out more cooperative spirit and action. The pressure is great, but if you can overcome this, you will realise how rewarding it is. 

Areas judges will look out for: articulation, dynamics, rhythm, intonation, tone. 

Expression, interpretation, style, phrasing, balance, blend, group dynamics 

Slow practice was something we emphasised months ago. You have to take it up, and do it. It doesn't mean you are lousy, it just means you can do better. Impatience in practice marks you as immature in thinking and as a musician. 

When you put in many hours, you don't practise blindly. Ask yourself what is the problem, and think on your own how to solve it. 

SE students have a habit of doing the right thing, forget and go back to square one. Write things down. Take a pen and paper. 

What a shame to go back to square one. After so many ppl have given you input.

You only have less than two weeks left, so just press on and grit your teeth. Hey, it's just as painful for those who are watching you!! but you are growing just keep going!!!!!!!! Don't stop!! 

For everyone's info, DHSSE doesn't take in students who give up before the fight is done. That will be the policy of the SE from this year onwards. 

Resilience.

_____

Hello to everyone:

Took a couple of sectionals today, and disturbingly, I realised that the whole progress is getting rather stagnant. Intonation still in a bad shape... 

Perhaps it's because you're in chamber groups and sections, as this problem is minimized a little when you play as an ensemble, but nevertheless, you should sound the same whether as a whole or in groups. 

In addition, strings crossing is another problem that is contributing to the messy-ness. 

You want to know whats the solution? It's simple. 

Practice slow. Even the most famous pianists and violinists and cellists and violists (you get the drift) cannot neglect slow practice. The virtuosically-impossible passages you hear them playing on stage do not just crystallize out of nowhere. There is no short cut. I don't doubt that most of you are practicising, but I believe most of you, on encountering a problematic passage, try to solve it by playing it over and over again--at performance speed. 

You can continue doing so for 10 hours, but you achieve nothing. 

Or perhaps, some do practice slow, but often you don't sustain it. After a few rounds, you get impatient and return to the usual fast speed. 

I shall stress it again. PLEASE TRUST THE POWER OF SLOW PRACTICE.if you have intonation problems, practice it SLOWLY, and make sure you give yourself enough time to hear yourself, and check your intonation. 

when you feel secure enough, that's when you can up your speed GRADUALLY. (you play so much games, treat it like game levels. you can only proceed when you've passed and conquered each level of speed) 

besides that, if you encounter other problems, instead of struggling over it, pause, stop and think. HOW CAN YOU SOLVE IT. there must exist a self-corrective mechanism in you. if not, please approach your teachers or sectional leaders. 

oh yes, another problem is that you all sound really "SIAN" when playing walters and romanze. if you are SIAN, it shows in your music. I took joel's and jiahui's chamber today, and everyone sounded so tired. But it's really ironic, if you are so sick and tired of it, why is it still in such a shape? You should only be sick and tired of it when you've mastered it to a point where everything is near perfect. 

For people who are relatively stable intonation and rhythm wise, as the saying goes, "strive on until the good is better and the better is the best". Please think of furthur ways to improve on aspects such as producing a good sound, how to move, how to phrase your melodies beautifully, what character or scene can you picture in your mind at certain parts. 

Agreed with what taxy said, we dont want to come back every sectionals to return back to square 1. Nowadays I feel like I'm repeating myself over and over again. I don't want to grow old! Don't make me feel old! You know it makes us feel very lousy too, if we have to repeat ourselves over and over again, and i will start thinking, "ohmygosh am i lacking creativity. is my thinking so limited.". I feel stagnant too. And I'm sure some of you have been thinking, "cheh. isn't it all those stuff again? what thin sound. what listen to each other. what dont accent in the middle of your melodies." 

omg im getting really naggy. ok i shall attempt for a rushed ending, thing is, practice SMART and practice HONESTLY. treat music sincerely ok. you think music is stupid is it. how much you give in is how much it will produce for you. YOU TRY TO CHEAT, then it will also AP you. 

I'm sure the other schools are furiously practicising at this point in time. And some, fuelled by their failure to get GoldWithHonours the previous competition, how hard do you think they will work? The answer is obvious. 

Competitions are always based on relativity. If other schools improve, but you are still at your previous standard, then .. 

ok im really getting rather tired, can't even bother to finish my previous sentence.

so everyone. work hard. we're all in this together. the only thing we as year5s and the teachers can do is to coach you, give you advice, encourage, push, .. and we don't want to feel like we've achieved nothing, especially when it returns back to square one. but ultimately, the most important thing is that in the end, we don't want you to disappoint yourselves. 

okay i forgot to sign off: MEIHUI.

_____

Hello all :D

I've seen the year 4s putting in their best effort and trying to make time for practices everyday. But where are the younger ones these days? I've heard a few, but I'm pretty sure we have more juniors that them uh. 

Practices are not there to waste your time. If you think otherwise, you better change your mindset soon or else, you are actually wasting your own time. I'm sure we don't want to put in so much effort just to see them go down the drain. 

SE, I believe that all of you have the capability to do your best IF you want to. Can't all of you just put in a teeny weeny bit more and push yourself to practise harder? If you aren't loud enough, use more bow, play into your violin! If you still cannot get the intonation, practise that bar until you get it correct! I don't care whether you spent 2 hours or 1 whole day on that one bar. It beats playing through the piece over and over again BUT not getting anything correct! 

Cmon, push yourself to the limit! It's only 22 days to SYF!

Jiayou!!

-Yun Shan

_____

I'm glad to see the positive spirit in all of you.

In truth, I don't write in students' blogs alone but this blog touches me. No matter how crazy you drive us up the wall, I believe we can work this out together. 

Today, I went into the practice of Samson, Kar Wai, Yun Xiu, etc. I don't know how those of you who were there felt, but I thought, after they communicated with each other with better eye contact, it sounded much better and fuller like real true musicians. You may not feel it's enough improvement but it's a good start. They "sang" on the inst much better, and could focus more confidently. Please keep up the hard work. I liked it when Samson and Kar Wai were moving with the music, it was a very warm sound, even for a few seconds. Just increase it each day? :) 

Yesterday's shelling was rather severe, at least for me, but I didn't realise how much I have grown to care until I got very angry yesterday. We will continue to be strict, not because we are born-again sadists, but because we do care. 

I am not upset about anyone not improving, but about not abiding instructions to practise hard. For me, I was very sad that most of you didn't listen to Ms Ku telling you all to practise with metronome, tuner. That's the basic. I don't want to see this happening again. Advice is not there to be ignored and Ms Ku is a really good musician so be serious in your learning. If you have tried your best, you don't even have to defend yourself.

Those of you who show bad attitude and don't respect your seniors who take time to coach you, you should be really ashamed of yourself. I don't tolerate arrogance and disrespect and the SE isn't a place to breed this hypcrocisy and disgusting behaviour. A true musician is one who is humble, loves his art and communicates his love for it. SYF isn't about personal glory either. Everyone should back each other up and help each other. We can see through you all very easily so be sincere and respectful. 

Granted we have had past glories and we can't afford to fail, but do look forward and create something strong and new. That's real pride. Balance the expectations with your hopes.

Many of you are very scared to play or afraid to look bad in the ensemble and play very stiffly and awkwardly. Nobody is making a fool of himself unless you think so. You MUST realise the importance of breathing and moving together. It makes me sad to see good string players shy away from playing strong sounds. I don't see breathing to be funny, and if you don't move together naturally, you won't find it very funny on 20 April either. If you love the music honestly and sincerely, you'll naturally breathe and show it. If you don't like the piece, GET INTERESTED NOW! 

Samson asked how to produce a good sound. Like the piano, it's all about exercising control. You may not agree but hey, we're all desperate here for help: 

a) Try playing your passage REALLY LOUD!! Try playing it really softly too but with relaxed CONTROL and you'll still get a sound. That's your potential. Everyone's is different. By exercising your sound scope, you yourself will know how much you have to sound in p, pp, ff. Use the muscle from stronger areas of arm/ shoulder etc. Some of you complain of a pain in your arm (?) so I think you're using wrong muscle. Ask the stronger players and Ms Ku why they aren't feeling pain. Your arm should be relaxed, in control and yet strong. 

It worked for the pianists don't see why it can't work for strings. 

b) Get a mirror. Look at yourself (with instr of coz!) or get yr fren to see what's the problem. 

c) For warm ups, you might want to circle the naughty passages you fumble, and think of NEW ways of playing it. e.g. i) slow, ii) fast, dotted rhythm, backwards, you name it. 

d) if you have problems connecting your notes, e.g. F to G to D and you can't do G to D, then practise: G -->D, D --> G, G -->F, etc. Sounds simple but it helps. 

e) Check your bowing, some of you bow in funny directions! Mirror mirror on the wall. 

f) Since you memorised, IMMERSE yourself more, since you practise alone at night. You might want to close your eyes and think how you want the music to sound. There are some very beautiful passages in the pieces, please read through the score, circle the parts which are very meaningful to you, and try your best to musicially bring it out. Currently, everyone looks stiff. 

g) avoid looking on the floor, down. Look straight ahead or play in front of your family. That works best. 

h) Most of you have bad stamina at playing. Try to play through the programme in full AFTER you have corrected your mistakes. Running or exercise helps in stamina. 

i) Take constructive comments well, no one is out to burst your ego. Please don't refrain from pointing out your fren's weakness. Help each other. 

I believe in all of you. Every little progress counts. 

Don't give up on yourself, the rest won't give up on you. Here's to the Dunman High Spirit and the celebration of good music! 

Ms Tan

_____

Yeap so that's all.

As a little summary:

1. Practice hard, and practice smart.
2. Practice with metronome and tuner.
3. Don't feel 'sian'.
4. GwH is not going to come to us just because we've had 3 consecutive GwHs.
5. Work together as a team.
6. Don't give up.

SYF is just around the corner. There's no time left. Let's get all the technicalities done up ASAP so that Ms Ku can work on the musicality alright?

I've sent out Dashing Away, whereas Ases Tod should be easily available online since it's such a common piece.

Do listen to them often to try to memorize your parts alright.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE cooperate with your SLs/seniors and don't make us waste time on scolding you alright? The time spent on scolding you could've been optimized to been spent of practicing instead.

Press on! Let's all work hard together and strive hard for that GwH :)

-Yuxin