PLAY!

A Video Game Symphony
by Sydney Symphony Orchestra


Music from popular games such as Super Mario Bros, Metal Gear Solid, Blue Dragon and The Legend of Zelda will be performed by a full orchestra, choir and pipe organ at Concert Hall of Sydney Opera House from June 19, 2007.

Source: smh.com.au

rehearsal week

Got our first orchestral rehearsal tonight: 7-10pm.

Couldn't finish the whole 2-hour oratorio in 3-hour practice time.
The late start and 15-min break in between could have taken up some of the time.
The double bassist and timpanist were missed today.

Had a go on several arias (plus recitatives) by professional guest soloists and choruses by the choir. Minor mistakes here and there were quite unavoidable today.
But, hey, it was still a lovely evening of music making by professional musicians and the uni choir. Aww.

The choir has been very fortunate to have an orchestra consisting of (mostly) members of the renowned Sydney Symphony Orchestra (including the concertmaster) and the internationally acclaimed Australia Ensemble - resident at UNSW.

I guess the second and final orchestral rehearsal on coming Thursday should be, uhm... , fine.

an utterance of comfort

And of encouragement.
But don't get too comfort.

A young mom approached me today after weekly music practice. She conveyed her heart-felt appreciation on the interpretational side of my playing.

And I felt pretty much encouraged by her saying.
May all glory be brought back to God.

She shared with me how her grade-5-piano teen-age son's playing has been too technical with not much feeling given to it. And she is quite distressed about it.

I believe it must have been the work of the Holy Spirit through my mind and fingers that has enabled me to play in such way.

Playing short choruses (i.e. contemporary chinese christian music) is much easier as I play by ear - thanks to the chord charts printed on most music sheet. But playing hymnals has a completely different story to tell.

With God's help, I must continue practice hymns.

And continue to be humble.
It doesn't matter if your playing goes unnoticed on most Sundays, as long as you remember that whatever you do, you do it for the glory of God - and not the glory of yourself or anyone else.

matter of verity

we ain't young.
we ain't old, either.

where does it leave us?
...

orchestral rehearsal on monday.
may expect trombones, cellos and double basses playing the Bass line.
it's gonna be interesting.

today's rehearsal wasn't too bad.
16 out of 18 choruses have been revised.
pretty happy about it.

perplexity of oneself

Graduation. Attended.
Permanent Resident Visa. Granted.

What's left? Plenty. *Gasp.*

PTC paper in a week time! (May 24) *Gosh.*
Concert in about two week time (May 27).
Two more Sundays of hymns playing for this month.

Yep, the organist has taken a month leave for holiday, starting today afternoon.
And I will be all by myself. What's a challenge!

And... still, in process of job hunting.

a blessed man

God has been very kind to me for God my Permanent Resident application has been approved and granted on Thursday, May 10, 2007.

This gave me the eligibility to live and work in Australia.
I am a very blessed man, indeed.
And I am thankful to God for that.

it's a girl

princess mary of denmark has born a baby girl of 3.4 kgs and 50 cms.
Her official name will not be known until her christening day.

Iemma's Back In

Labor wins fourth term in NSW

The NSW Labor government has been elected to a fourth four-year term in office with Premier Morris Iemma securing his position again.

The NSW Labor government suffered a swing of at least three per cent against it, but the Liberals/Nationals needed a swing of more than 12 per cent to win office.

Source: Yahoo News, SMH

"bean" there, done that...

** quoted from SMH article title

















photo source: SMH

Yes, Mr Bean or Rowan Atkinson visited Bondi Beach in Sydney this week. His familiar teddy was brought to the beach too. "It's very nice here," Mr Bean mumbled. "The weather's hot, but the water's very cold."

Rowan commented the much loved comical figure Mr Bean in quoted text below.

"I don't think he's a particularly nice man. He's very vindictive and extremely selfish … but you know he doesn't mean bad."

He visited Sydney to launch the movie Mr Bean's Holiday.

news: nine to bone humphrey.

Humphrey B. Bear - described by SMH as Aussie-pride "pantless, fun-loving, honey-eating children's television character" - has his shows aired in Network Nine television since 1965 and may be axed from Channel 9.

Nine's rival commercial television, Seven, may take over the programmes.

reminder.

Florists close late today.
...
...

[run away .. ]

worship.

corporate vs. individual
contemporary vs. traditional

The gift of music is given for serving the church of God, not musician's glory.

truth outlasts sound*

 *by Bob Kauflin

Great melody (of a song) should support great truth.
We boast and declare the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As it needs to be seen in our lives too.

We are aware of God's presence.
Because we have received God's salvation through Jesus Christ.

Songs help people express their loves for God.
Songs bring joy (Psalms 92).
Songs reveal the glory of God, and not ours.

getaway.

Well, sort of.

Am leaving for sunshine coast tomorrow.
Have stuffs to settle on Fri and Sat.
Be home by Saturday evening.

fact.

piano's pedal is not your friend.
your playing will sound muddy.

it's true. 

Oi Oi Oi!

Happy Aussie Day 2007.

Not much happening.
Bro went to church meeting all day in the west.
i stayed home 'til afternoon before coming over to a church friend's house for dinner.
been a quiet day today.

need sleep.

got headache.
can't sleep.

there's orchestral eucharist tomorrow at SJKS.
programme: HAYDN Missa In Tempore Belli.
really want to go. shall I?
*confused*

a cup of hot green tea should help me having a good sleep.

...

Note to self:
must practice hymns
must practice hymns
must practice hymns

a day with Willy.

Went to DIMA Immigration Office with Willy to retrieve his PR Visa.
Good to know that now he can stay in Australia until Jan 2012. 

Had lunch at Market City with Willy. 
Been sharing some thoughts with Willy about evangelising strangers around us. 
Need to start it soon. May God help us.

Walked back home at 4. Tried to walk under the shade all the way.
Avoid the sun for no reason. Ha!

Well.... at home, practiced together a song of Graham Kendrick.
Walked to city later and had $4-a-box dinner (it's 6.30 pm already) at Myer's Pitt St food court before we call it a day.

Time flies, huh?

Will's PR granted

Yay. 

Willy got his Permanent Residency Visa application approved today.
Thanks to God. 
Good on ya, Will!
Thumbs up.