Thursday, August 28, 2008

The First Taste of Lime Light

It was an event held last month on 4, 5 & 6 of July... Hey, Mr. Phil! In conjunction of The Philharmonic Society of Selangor's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Did you show up and give us support? If you do, I would like to hear your comment pertaining to the show.

It started on March when a long lost friend of mine sent me an email to invite me to attend an audition for a choir group.

It had been a while since I stopped singing in a choir group. I love to sing. I don't sing really well but not tone deaf, at least...

I started to sing in choir group since I was in Teacher's College back in Ipoh. I have performed in front of our former Prime Minister, Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad during his visit to Perak. I have also prepared for our BELOVED Datuk Sri Samy Vellu on his trip to visit our college, MPIP. But he turned us down... And of course, I sang for all the college's events as well. I enjoyed and treasured every single moment and met many friends that share the same passion...

Then I was posted to KL after my training, my life has been dull and boring after a whole day of teaching. Then I learnt about a newly formed choir group called Male Voices (later changed to Adam's Apple). Our very first project was the Christmas Charolling. We trained hard and performed in the hotels and dining places... What a life! But due to lack of commitment among the members later after the Christmas Charolling, the Adam's Apple rotten!

Anyway, back to the audition. I turned up late that night and they have started to practice. So I have to wait until the end of the session to sit for the audition. Somehow a garden grew inside me had attracted butterflies... I have never sit for any audition before. So you can only imagine how nervous I get to sing solo in front of a conductor and a few commitee members...

I sang high and low and bashing through a few notes and glad it's all over! I am a Tenor! I used to sing the bass (somehow baritone suits me better...) when I was with the Adam's Apple...

Then I practiced in the studio located in Taman Desa Business Park along with the other members every Monday evening (big group practice) and Thursday evening (small group practice) from 8pm to 10pm. We hardly have time to mingle around and get to know each other better because we were rushing to learn up all the 4 main-group pieces and 3 small-group pieces.

I am greatful to have a very supportive hubby whom have supported and encouraged me to join The Phil. He often fetch me after my practice and we will have our rather late dinner in our "favourite spot" (do refer our previous entry - Dinner at Jalan Klang Lama).

As the performing day approaching, the more program lined up for us to be settled... We did the publicity performances at the Metrojaya, Mid Valley Mega Mall twice. Then the costume issue that resolved later causing me to do my last minute costume-hunt. I checked my wardrobe to look for the costume but none are suitble. So I have to invest on the contume. I have made a good bargain on a pair of black pants, a white long sleeve shirt from G2000 and a jacket from SparkMan Shop. There, case closed!

Oh! Have I told you that I can't read music notes? Or it's easier to say I can't do sight singing. This has always been my biggest obstacle whenever I learn a new piece. But I am glad that I am good in memorising the melody of the song. So I always asked for a *.midi files or MP3s from other member or even record the melody using my handphone when the music is played. I listened to the music files and refer to the notes when I am on my bus ride and learned up every single pieces. Trust me, it works!!

I called my mom and sister back in my hometown, Perlis and told them about my involvement in the show and they are happy for me. My mom came to give her support for me but my sister can't make it... :( I am glad my mom are always there when i need her.

It was the big day and I hardly sleep a night before. My mom arrived few days before the show and we have planned that my hubby will take my mom there since I have to be there a bit more earlier before the show start. My mom agreed. Seemed that my mom and my hubby bonded since then.

I arrived at the City Town Hall or better known as Panggung Bandaraya. It's an historic building and the interior was nicely done and if you been there before or any opera house, it's in smaller scale. It's an old building attached with the former court house situated around Dataran Merdeka area.

We gathered and did some final rehearsal. I shared the changing room with a bunch of men and women. Since they (women) don't mind changing in front of us (men), why should I?

It was 30 minutes before the show start and I was wondering if my mom and my hubby can make it on time since the traffic begun to go slow. I took a peek from the stage and glad to find them seated. I waved and smiled at them... I was glad to find my PT's friends came to support the show and I waved at them, too!

I put on some foundation (make-up) and get ready with the costume and gathered at the right side of the stage... When I heard: " Ladies and gentlemen..." My heart started to pound heavily and I took a deep breath. I calmed myself down and grabbed on the file then marched toward the stage.

We sang the following pieces:
1) The Sound of Music - Medley
2) Oliver - Medley
3) Les Miserable - Medley
4) Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat - Medley
5) The Wizard of Oz - Medley
6) Hello, Dolly!
7) Guys and Dolls - Medley

My mom and my hubby told me that I smiled ear to ear throughout the show but I do hope they realised I was very nervous but again happy that they came to watch my performance. After the first show, I packed all my things and met them up at the lobby and we headed home. We chatted and laughed all the way and it was one of the precious moment that I'll treasure it.

My mom have to go back to hometown the next day, I woke up quite early and sent her off to Puduraya Bus Station. I miss my mom... :(

The following 2 day was basically the same and the crowd gave us cheers and applauses that boosted up our confidence and encouraged all of us to put up the best show. I never dream of standing on stage and perform to the public before. The previous experiences of mine just a play or a show in the school or should I say non-ticket-selling performance. To have people actually to buy the ticket to come to your show is a great challenge!

I enjoyed every moment standing on the stage and savored every beam of the lime light focused on all of us... This is one of the life time experience that money can't buy...

(Will update the photo and have the song lyrics of the show publish here on my coming entries.)

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Bear Sings...

After a long silence, the kookuberdman has finally flew off.

Well, to tell the truth, the bird has eaten so much and put on weight!

So might as well make it a bear site...

This home-coming bear loves to sing...

It's a passion!

The bear will also sing about life and share it with you.

Do log on from time to time for more of my entry.



All comments are welcomed!