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.