NYPGC & Future Plans

I was on my way home from Westmall earlier this evening. Just went there to drop off 2 library books, and at the same time, did some small little shopping. Bought 1 book and 1 DVD. On my way home, I was thinking about re-joining NYPGC (Nanyang Polytechnic Guitar Club). Although I was a senior, ex-Executive Committee member, I felt that its just a title. In fact, if given a chance to serve again, I rather be a Committee Advisor.

Being a Committee Advisor is like being a Board of Director in a company. The Board of Director member does not make an decision. All he/she does is to simply provide suggestions, advice and counsel to the existing committee. I like to be in that position. After all, I'm just like any other member in the club. I don't need a title really.

For all 3 years, I think it'll be nice to just remain as the Board of Advisors. And just be able to participate in all the activities and camps available. Ofcourse, I'll offer to help out with the planning, organizing of events, and running of the event. But I hope to be able to provide advice and leadership training.

After going through life, and work, and all the ups and downs, I feel that its good to be able to impart something to these young people. Music, playing in an ensemble is not about skill, or ability, or gifting. Its about playing as a team. Learning to complement each other's weaknesses and strengths.

I'm not sure how it sounds really, but I thought of an idea...who knows, maybe it can happen someday...I think its good to have a camp each year, and the theme of the camp should revolve around teamwork. Because playing in an ensemble is really about being a team.

I also thought of introducing the idea of having a leadership workship once a year...to develop new leaders...to coach and mentor specific players in the club. I realized that to be a good musician, its always important to have a right mentor. I might not be perfect, but I certainly like to model the traits of my elder sister, whose presently mentoring me in music. And she's a really really good musician. To many of my relatives, and her past music teachers, my sis is a music prodigy. She got distinctions for Piano Grade 8 at just 12 years old. She did her Diploma by the time she was 17. And when she was 22, she began writing music professionally for famous mando-pop singers like Ah Mei, Sun, Coco Li, and a few others. It's such a priviledge to be mentored by her right now.

Personally, I've set my sights on finishing my Diploma in Music within the next 5 years. And during this period of time, I also like to mentor people with great potential, and give them opportunities to expose themselves.

Well, let's just see how it turns out...my bursary interview has been switched to an earlier timing. It'll be happening this Wednesday, at 4.45pm @ WDA. Let's see how it goes first.

Custom Made Classical Guitars

Well, recently, as I was playing my classical guitar, I noticed how the sound has changed over the years. 15 years of playing the same instrument has caused to become seasoned. It sounded fantastic! This guitar, to me is one of the most amazing instruments I’ve ever played in my life! And boy am I proud to have own a classical guitar. Over the years, many friends have asked me to sell away my Classical Guitar, a first generation Yamaha C60. Though this guitar is very much like an ordinary guitar when I first bought it, over the years, the plywood top and been seasoned and how produces amazing acoustics.

Yamaha C60 was built for beginning and intermedia learners in Classical Guitar. However, I have my sights on something more. Over the years, I’ve been asking myself, when will I be able to get my hands on a custom made Classical Guitar? Hmm…I’m not going to sell my current guitar, so don’t even dream about it. I like to keep it as a guitar that I’m going to use for practice.

As for the custom guitar that I’m eyeing, I want to use it for performance purposes.

The custom guitar is a custom made, African Blackwood top Classical Guitar, which currently costs about US$ 3,375 to be made. I found it on this following website: http://www.mangore.com/

It has to be ordered months before and then it will be made and delivered within 5 months! Now, you can imagine how much effort, time and money goes into making this piece of amazing instrument. A conversion of the US amount to SGD will amount to SGD 5,011.20. Ooo…what a price! But, well, I love the qualities and sound potential of the African Blackwood. The wood produces such great acoustics, it can split the bass and treble sounds very clearly.

Not just that, its also one of the hardest wood to ever work with to make a musical instrument. Only less than 3 music instruments on this planet is made from African Blackwood. And this particular classical guitar is made from that material!

Time to start saving up for the guitar! Work like crazy if I have to. I’m going to make the money to get myself the guitar you see on the right! Ahhh!!! I’m a fan of African Blackwood!

In the near future, as I make more performances…after I get back on course and into shape, I’ll consider investing in more custom made classical guitars. Each guitar, made of different material will be used to project different kind of sounds. Aged Brazilian rosewood is very good also. This is a wood that has at least the age of 90 years. Its hard to harvest, because its found at the bottom of amazon river. You have to be nuts I would say, to order a custom made guitar from this material. It’s so expensive, it belongs to the higher end of performance classical guitar. Still, I think I’m crazy enough to have my eyes on it! Who knows, one of these days, I might be able to afford the Classical Guitar made of Brazilian Rosewood!

First Music Arrangement - 2002

I still remember how I made my first music arrangement at the age of 19. Out of my passion, I sat down for weeks during the school holidays and arranged an ensemble piece for NYP Guitar Club concert. It was so fun, I remember being so engross, I forgot my meals. I didn't go out for weeks. I just stay home and wrote out the scores! It was an amazing experience!

Here's the picture of what a senior help me do that year. An alumni senior, he came back to NYP to help perform the ensemble piece. We have more than 20 people playing this piece that year. The stage was packed to the max. Well, its "Can't Help Falling in Love". I remember during the practice leading up to the concert, Micheal would help me, and we became really great friends from then on. We even thought of arranging an alumni performance item...but haha...its not so easy, after all, everyone's busy working now.

Well, here's the pictures in order:

Okay, managed to add in the pictures....pheewww! These scores have copyright. So, please do not distribute it. I have more scores. but most of them are not played before. Kinda like experimental music. Maybe next time will sit down and finish those scores.

Starting afresh!

Hey, Micheal Gasper! It's been what...4..5 years since we last met? How have you been? Okay, I know I'm just talking to a picture! LOL! Well, recently, after discussing with my parents about pursuing my passion to become a doctor someday, I've decided to take up the Government Hospital Sponsorship Bursary, which will help me to pay off most of my course expenses. And also, it will provide me with monthly allowances every year that I'm studying. Well, most of my qualifications already qualify, now, I'm just waiting to see if there is still available slots for me.

Well, the course that I'm pursuing will be a Diploma in Physiotherapy at NYP. I used to be a NYP student. I graduated with a Diploma in Engineering Informatics. But IT, as most people know, is not where I should be. I just don't fit in. After 10 IT jobs in 4 years, I think its time that I move on. I should be doing something that I enjoy!

Well, should the application go through, I'll be making a return to NYP this year, 2009. And without a shadow of doubt, I will be making my return to NYPGC. NYPGC, as most people will remember, the environment we created over the years has made it so much like a second home, second family, we get hooked on those memories forever!

Personally, I will always have some form of attachment with NYPGC! Always remember the first music arrangement I made for the guitar ensemble in 2002. At 19 years of age, I made my first music arrangement from the popular song called, "Can't Help Falling in Love". I still have the scores till today. Copyright! hehe!

Well, talk about being an old timer! Used to be the welfare officer for the 6th committee! Had so much fun! Used to remember how me and my best friend became even closer friends. During my junior year, I was shortlisted to play with the senior ensemble. So did Melvin! My long time buddy! Well, later on when the forming of committee came along, I was thinking...well, I don't need to become the president of the club. I think someone else will deserve a good chance...I just thought of letting Melvin have it. I believed that he'll make a good president. And he did. And we became better friends after that!




Anyway...good old memories just don't go away, do they? Haha! Anyway, in the committee picture I've put up. I'm the 3rd guy from the right in the second picture...the smaller one...yeah. I wear spects.

Well, let's hope the bursary application works out. And maybe you guys will see me this year! I'll be wearing our La Guitare Tee Shirt designed in 2002-2003. It was a black shirt, I still have it even till today! I'll be wearing that on the audition day! Yahoo!!