Saturday, May 22, 2010
5:38 PM
5:36 PM
5:24 PM
To all the Sri KDU singers, dancers, actors and performers out there, there will be a briefing on Thursday, 3 June 2010, for those of you who want to know what to prepare for the audition of our annual musical (we haven't got a name for it yet), which will be a partial adaptation from GLEE, held straight after school reopens in June.
As a preparation for the audition, we hope that those of you in Secondary Four especially, would attend this briefing so that you can make use of the holiday time to brush up your skills for the audition. Successful candicates who make it through will be announced after the grand finals of Paramount Championship for the commencement of subsequent rehearsals which are scheduled to start in July. Pocket rehearsals include table reading for actors, dance practice for dancers and vocal lessons for the singers. We shall have combined rehearsals towards the end of September and full dress rehearsals in early November. Well, that is just a brief overview of the rehearsal schedule, the full schedule will be distributed to you once you make it through our auditions. There will also be a separate audition for the musicians for our combo band to play for the entire musical and also during the P&A Nite awards presentation. I can't wait to have you on board.
This year, there will be characters who only sing and dance, those who only sing but dance, and/or those who just dance without singing. And of course, acting is a must. So, if you think you can sing but cannot dance, please come; if you think you can only dance but cannot hold a tune precisely, you also should come; if you think you can only act but not singing nor dancing, you should come also; if you cannot do all of the above, you may also come, because who knows? But, if you don't turn up for the audition, I cannot do anything unless you have special connections with the Boss hehehe.....
Let's pray that we will sail through smoothly till November without the disturbance/interference from any outbreak of diseases, natural disasters and/or man-made riots/war....pray to God that this year's P&A Nite won't be canceled. Those who jinx us will be punished in the name of God!
This is the tentative production team:
Producer/Musical Director - Ms Foo Mei Kay
Director/Vocal Coach - Mr Zachary Wong KL
Playwright/Co-director - Ms Geraldine Philips
Production Designer - Ms Sharon Kong Foong
Production Manager - Ms Yee Weng Yan
Stage Manager - Ms Edith Lim Ying Chao
Costume & Image Designer - Ms Noor Azlina Sarikudin
Set Designer/Set Building Manager - Mr Rajandran Thanimalay
Wardrobe Manager - Ms Shireen Kaur Boler Karta
Speech Coach - Ms Ann Marie Chandy
Multimedia Designer - Mr. Tnarish Tamilarasan
Band Master - KIV
Props Master - KIV
Choreographers - KIV
Lighting & Sound Designer - KIV
See you on the 3 June!
As a preparation for the audition, we hope that those of you in Secondary Four especially, would attend this briefing so that you can make use of the holiday time to brush up your skills for the audition. Successful candicates who make it through will be announced after the grand finals of Paramount Championship for the commencement of subsequent rehearsals which are scheduled to start in July. Pocket rehearsals include table reading for actors, dance practice for dancers and vocal lessons for the singers. We shall have combined rehearsals towards the end of September and full dress rehearsals in early November. Well, that is just a brief overview of the rehearsal schedule, the full schedule will be distributed to you once you make it through our auditions. There will also be a separate audition for the musicians for our combo band to play for the entire musical and also during the P&A Nite awards presentation. I can't wait to have you on board.
This year, there will be characters who only sing and dance, those who only sing but dance, and/or those who just dance without singing. And of course, acting is a must. So, if you think you can sing but cannot dance, please come; if you think you can only dance but cannot hold a tune precisely, you also should come; if you think you can only act but not singing nor dancing, you should come also; if you cannot do all of the above, you may also come, because who knows? But, if you don't turn up for the audition, I cannot do anything unless you have special connections with the Boss hehehe.....
Let's pray that we will sail through smoothly till November without the disturbance/interference from any outbreak of diseases, natural disasters and/or man-made riots/war....pray to God that this year's P&A Nite won't be canceled. Those who jinx us will be punished in the name of God!
This is the tentative production team:
Producer/Musical Director - Ms Foo Mei Kay
Director/Vocal Coach - Mr Zachary Wong KL
Playwright/Co-director - Ms Geraldine Philips
Production Designer - Ms Sharon Kong Foong
Production Manager - Ms Yee Weng Yan
Stage Manager - Ms Edith Lim Ying Chao
Costume & Image Designer - Ms Noor Azlina Sarikudin
Set Designer/Set Building Manager - Mr Rajandran Thanimalay
Wardrobe Manager - Ms Shireen Kaur Boler Karta
Speech Coach - Ms Ann Marie Chandy
Multimedia Designer - Mr. Tnarish Tamilarasan
Band Master - KIV
Props Master - KIV
Choreographers - KIV
Lighting & Sound Designer - KIV
See you on the 3 June!
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, Performance And Awards Nite 2010, Special announcement
3:15 PM
Thursday, May 20, 2010
1:02 PM
12:58 PM
12:34 PM
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
6:40 PM
6:37 PM
6:32 PM
6:28 PM
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2:14 PM
2:06 PM
2:03 PM
Monday, May 17, 2010
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7:25 PM
7:20 PM
7:18 PM
7:13 PM
7:09 PM
7:01 PM
Kategori A
Emas - 3 Dickens
Perak - 2 Mozart
Gangsa - 2 Rembrandt
Kategori B
Emas - 5 Edison
Perak - 5 Mozart
Gangsa - 5 Columbus
Emas - 3 Dickens
Perak - 2 Mozart
Gangsa - 2 Rembrandt
Kategori B
Emas - 5 Edison
Perak - 5 Mozart
Gangsa - 5 Columbus
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, keputusan, Perbahasan
6:45 PM
10:38 AM
Friday, May 14, 2010
CATEGORY A
GOLD - 范蕙萦 Fam Hui Ying (2M) 青春痘
SILVER - 黄静慧 Ng Jing Hui (3W) 失败并不可怕
BRONZE - 谢子莹 Chia Sze Ying (3A) 那年假期
CATEGORY B
GOLD - 伍翊绮 Ng Yuet Chi (5M) 生命·自然·美
SILVER - 林女司木萌 Lum Sze Ming, Michelle (4E) 为自己歌唱
BRONZE - 罗彩薇 Law Kah Mee (4E) 生命·自然·美
GOLD - 范蕙萦 Fam Hui Ying (2M) 青春痘
SILVER - 黄静慧 Ng Jing Hui (3W) 失败并不可怕
BRONZE - 谢子莹 Chia Sze Ying (3A) 那年假期
CATEGORY B
GOLD - 伍翊绮 Ng Yuet Chi (5M) 生命·自然·美
SILVER - 林女司木萌 Lum Sze Ming, Michelle (4E) 为自己歌唱
BRONZE - 罗彩薇 Law Kah Mee (4E) 生命·自然·美
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, Mandarin Essay Writing competition
4:50 PM
1. Eunice Yeow Eu Ming (2C) - 76.0%
老实说，你的唱功并没有非常出色，但你胜在够平均，在台风、衣着和咬字方面都必须再加强。歌曲动听，但我觉得你并不是很适合唱，你有一把好嗓子，应该可以尝试一下如《感动》的曲风。你要加强的是如何将你的表演给观众留下深刻的印象，可能就是要注意情感方面的收和放了。你在句和句之间的段落是没有连贯的，好像前半部和后半部的歌词都没有关系一样，这样的表达方式我不会鼓励。
2. Crystal Koo (3W) - 73.7%
又是一个男歌女唱的例子，但你并没有把《太想爱你》的爆发力给唱出来，我并没有给你渲染到。你的台风也应该可以再多变化一些，因为这么多年实在是有一点沉闷了。衣着方面也要用心一些，不要每次都黑黑沉沉的，一套鲜艳的服装也可以用来唱伤感的歌曲，会有强烈的对比，但颜色的选择是蛮重要的。
3. Tan Ei Mun (2R) - 72.0%
不是每个人都可以唱《至少还有你》的，尤其是没有经历过感情如此沧桑的人，你虽然有一把可以震撼人的声线，但你的情感是空白的，你并没有把我带入歌词的意境里，我也感受不到那份感动。决赛时要仔细打扮打扮一下，头发、化妆和适合的饰物都会为表演加分。
4. Teh Ke Er (2R) - 69.0%
你的唱腔也太老了一点吧！眨耳听，还以为在听《秋蚕》呢！你的歌声是有感染力的，但你必须要懂得去控制它，这需要长期不停的训练才行。唱歌时，脸部表情要将歌词的意思给表达出来，不要只是靠歌声，也不要原地不动，要懂得如何运用舞台的空间，这样你的表演才会更有看头。
5. Teh Qing Da (3G) - 67.0%
你有舞台魅力，但缺乏舞台经验。我喜欢你的声线，但我还是觉得你有很多方面有进步的空间，比如脸部表情、衣着打扮、情感表达、咬字嘴形等等。你是五位里面最有被索造的条件，假以时日，如果你认真的对待表演艺术，你一定可以获益不少。你也是唯一一位进级的男生，要加油了！
Category B
1. Teh Xin Er (4A) - 79.7%
要把《至少还有你》唱好，你不只需要一副好嗓子，最重要的是你的口气要对，你有时把唱歌和演讲的动作和语气都混乱了，感情的投入和传送也是关键之一，而你的致命伤就是脸部的表情，为什么你可以在唱伤感的歌曲时脸部带笑的？
2. Loh Sai Kiat (5R) - 74.7%
你的衣着打扮令人眼前一亮，这证明了你也是可以从丑小鸭变天鹅的。你的声线不是很适合唱《吻别》这类男人味超强的曲风，你应该多尝试沧桑味比较浓的歌曲，咬字还要加强，台风也要注意，要试着征服整个舞台，让观众为你喝彩和欢呼。
3. Jocelyn Ho Khai Enn (4D) - 73.7%
一个很普通的表演，胜在够平均，打扮非常得体大方，是有花了一点的心思，所以也被加了一点点分。要加强咬字时的嘴形，不要含着沙子在嘴里，要把字‘咬’清楚，也要特别注意舞台魅力和情感的传递，表情不单单要在脸上透露，还要在声音和语气上穿透听众的心房。
4. Yong Zheng Xi (4C) - 72.7%
总的来讲，你那天的表演都非常失水准，让我很失望。在下一场的比赛，你真的要非常认真的选歌，选一首适合你的形象、声线和曲风的歌，请别选一首女生的歌来唱，也不要选一首男人味超重的歌来唱，王力宏或陶吉吉的歌可能会适合你，more R&B，你必须要请一位军师来纠正你的咬字，是关键所在！
5. Shanon Au Yong Wen Yi (5D) - 71.0%
以微分之差胜出，你胜在拥有一把好歌声，特别在唱高音时，但千万不要太造作，以为声音大就是有震撼力，有时，收敛一下可能会有意想不到的效果。唱低音时要特别注意会走音，唱的也必须要稳，很多人不知道其实唱低音比唱高音还要多一点技术和功力。请也要加强咬字、情感收放、呼吸方法、舞台控制，等事项。
老实说，你的唱功并没有非常出色，但你胜在够平均，在台风、衣着和咬字方面都必须再加强。歌曲动听，但我觉得你并不是很适合唱，你有一把好嗓子，应该可以尝试一下如《感动》的曲风。你要加强的是如何将你的表演给观众留下深刻的印象，可能就是要注意情感方面的收和放了。你在句和句之间的段落是没有连贯的，好像前半部和后半部的歌词都没有关系一样，这样的表达方式我不会鼓励。
2. Crystal Koo (3W) - 73.7%
又是一个男歌女唱的例子，但你并没有把《太想爱你》的爆发力给唱出来，我并没有给你渲染到。你的台风也应该可以再多变化一些，因为这么多年实在是有一点沉闷了。衣着方面也要用心一些，不要每次都黑黑沉沉的，一套鲜艳的服装也可以用来唱伤感的歌曲，会有强烈的对比，但颜色的选择是蛮重要的。
3. Tan Ei Mun (2R) - 72.0%
不是每个人都可以唱《至少还有你》的，尤其是没有经历过感情如此沧桑的人，你虽然有一把可以震撼人的声线，但你的情感是空白的，你并没有把我带入歌词的意境里，我也感受不到那份感动。决赛时要仔细打扮打扮一下，头发、化妆和适合的饰物都会为表演加分。
4. Teh Ke Er (2R) - 69.0%
你的唱腔也太老了一点吧！眨耳听，还以为在听《秋蚕》呢！你的歌声是有感染力的，但你必须要懂得去控制它，这需要长期不停的训练才行。唱歌时，脸部表情要将歌词的意思给表达出来，不要只是靠歌声，也不要原地不动，要懂得如何运用舞台的空间，这样你的表演才会更有看头。
5. Teh Qing Da (3G) - 67.0%
你有舞台魅力，但缺乏舞台经验。我喜欢你的声线，但我还是觉得你有很多方面有进步的空间，比如脸部表情、衣着打扮、情感表达、咬字嘴形等等。你是五位里面最有被索造的条件，假以时日，如果你认真的对待表演艺术，你一定可以获益不少。你也是唯一一位进级的男生，要加油了！
Category B
1. Teh Xin Er (4A) - 79.7%
要把《至少还有你》唱好，你不只需要一副好嗓子，最重要的是你的口气要对，你有时把唱歌和演讲的动作和语气都混乱了，感情的投入和传送也是关键之一，而你的致命伤就是脸部的表情，为什么你可以在唱伤感的歌曲时脸部带笑的？
2. Loh Sai Kiat (5R) - 74.7%
你的衣着打扮令人眼前一亮，这证明了你也是可以从丑小鸭变天鹅的。你的声线不是很适合唱《吻别》这类男人味超强的曲风，你应该多尝试沧桑味比较浓的歌曲，咬字还要加强，台风也要注意，要试着征服整个舞台，让观众为你喝彩和欢呼。
3. Jocelyn Ho Khai Enn (4D) - 73.7%
一个很普通的表演，胜在够平均，打扮非常得体大方，是有花了一点的心思，所以也被加了一点点分。要加强咬字时的嘴形，不要含着沙子在嘴里，要把字‘咬’清楚，也要特别注意舞台魅力和情感的传递，表情不单单要在脸上透露，还要在声音和语气上穿透听众的心房。
4. Yong Zheng Xi (4C) - 72.7%
总的来讲，你那天的表演都非常失水准，让我很失望。在下一场的比赛，你真的要非常认真的选歌，选一首适合你的形象、声线和曲风的歌，请别选一首女生的歌来唱，也不要选一首男人味超重的歌来唱，王力宏或陶吉吉的歌可能会适合你，more R&B，你必须要请一位军师来纠正你的咬字，是关键所在！
5. Shanon Au Yong Wen Yi (5D) - 71.0%
以微分之差胜出，你胜在拥有一把好歌声，特别在唱高音时，但千万不要太造作，以为声音大就是有震撼力，有时，收敛一下可能会有意想不到的效果。唱低音时要特别注意会走音，唱的也必须要稳，很多人不知道其实唱低音比唱高音还要多一点技术和功力。请也要加强咬字、情感收放、呼吸方法、舞台控制，等事项。
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, Mandarin Solo Singing
3:00 PM
Category A
1. Eunice Yeow Eu Ming (2C) - 76.0%
2. Crystal Koo (3W) - 73.7%
3. Tan Ei Mun (2R) - 72.0%
4. Teh Ke Er (2R) - 69.0%
5. Teh Qing Da (3G) - 67.0%
Category B
1. Teh Xin Er (4A) - 79.7%
2. Loh Sai Kiat (5R) - 74.7%
3. Jocelyn Ho Khai Enn (4D) - 73.7%
4. Yong Zheng Xi (4C) - 72.7%
5. Shanon Au Yong Wen Yi (5D) - 71.0%
1. Eunice Yeow Eu Ming (2C) - 76.0%
2. Crystal Koo (3W) - 73.7%
3. Tan Ei Mun (2R) - 72.0%
4. Teh Ke Er (2R) - 69.0%
5. Teh Qing Da (3G) - 67.0%
Category B
1. Teh Xin Er (4A) - 79.7%
2. Loh Sai Kiat (5R) - 74.7%
3. Jocelyn Ho Khai Enn (4D) - 73.7%
4. Yong Zheng Xi (4C) - 72.7%
5. Shanon Au Yong Wen Yi (5D) - 71.0%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, finalists, Mandarin Solo Singing
2:39 PM
1. Nur Athirah Baran (5M) - 83.7%
2. Eleena Rashidah Khalid (5D) - 78.0%
3. Andrew Seow (5E) - 74.3%
4. Ryan Wong (5J) - 71.7%
5. Fam Shen Deng (5M) - 69.0%
I am sorry for the long wait. I didn't do it on purpose but was busy with school work lately. I am sure this result would have broken many dreams out there but what I want you to know is that it really took us sweat and blood to decide on the top five based on your performances, yes, nothing else but the performance on that Wednesday afternoon. I am sorry if you didn't get through. And please don't ask me why as I also kept asking myself the same question. You know how I wished some of you could get through as you have been singing for the past Paramount Championship competitions and it would be good to see you sing one last time at the grand finals before you leave school this year. My heart is heavy. I am not good in using words to describe my feeling at this moment. Some of my students asked if I am going to post any personal comments for the individual performer...I don't think so for this round because what can be improved would have been done (e.g. Eleena's colours of the wind dress really impressed me..thank you girl! Athirah's outfit + accessories especially the gold ear rings were awesome! Andrew is no longer shopping at pasar malam, Ryan's Adam's make-up, etc), and what's not done would be done soon if you are serious about improving your performing skills. Those who didn't make it could be due to the following reasons:
(1)You can sing, but you cannot deliver and handle the song that you chose, it's too big for you! It's like having a small boy wearing a big hat! You were totally engulfed! Yes, like phagocytosis :) If you don't believe, and if you have recorded the semi-finals, watch it back again 10 years later and you would know what I mean.
(2)You were absence on stage eventhough you were singing before me.....what I meant was that you were not well prepared for the semi-finals, either physically or emotionally.
(3) You had no emotions to what you were singing....e.g. did the audience see the perception of a HERO when the song was sung? I didn't see it...sorry.
I wish you all the best in your future singing career....and thank you for all the effort you have put in this year. If you are thinking the reason why you didn't get in because Mr. Zac doesn't like you, then you might want to consider making the whole world like you first before entering any competitions out there....and please remember, one judge's decision cannot change the result of a competiton like this especially we are transparent with our marks.
Let's cheer for the top 5. This year, we will have a panel of 15 judges at the grand finals to decide on ONE deserving champion! Stay tune with us....
2. Eleena Rashidah Khalid (5D) - 78.0%
3. Andrew Seow (5E) - 74.3%
4. Ryan Wong (5J) - 71.7%
5. Fam Shen Deng (5M) - 69.0%
I am sorry for the long wait. I didn't do it on purpose but was busy with school work lately. I am sure this result would have broken many dreams out there but what I want you to know is that it really took us sweat and blood to decide on the top five based on your performances, yes, nothing else but the performance on that Wednesday afternoon. I am sorry if you didn't get through. And please don't ask me why as I also kept asking myself the same question. You know how I wished some of you could get through as you have been singing for the past Paramount Championship competitions and it would be good to see you sing one last time at the grand finals before you leave school this year. My heart is heavy. I am not good in using words to describe my feeling at this moment. Some of my students asked if I am going to post any personal comments for the individual performer...I don't think so for this round because what can be improved would have been done (e.g. Eleena's colours of the wind dress really impressed me..thank you girl! Athirah's outfit + accessories especially the gold ear rings were awesome! Andrew is no longer shopping at pasar malam, Ryan's Adam's make-up, etc), and what's not done would be done soon if you are serious about improving your performing skills. Those who didn't make it could be due to the following reasons:
(1)You can sing, but you cannot deliver and handle the song that you chose, it's too big for you! It's like having a small boy wearing a big hat! You were totally engulfed! Yes, like phagocytosis :) If you don't believe, and if you have recorded the semi-finals, watch it back again 10 years later and you would know what I mean.
(2)You were absence on stage eventhough you were singing before me.....what I meant was that you were not well prepared for the semi-finals, either physically or emotionally.
(3) You had no emotions to what you were singing....e.g. did the audience see the perception of a HERO when the song was sung? I didn't see it...sorry.
I wish you all the best in your future singing career....and thank you for all the effort you have put in this year. If you are thinking the reason why you didn't get in because Mr. Zac doesn't like you, then you might want to consider making the whole world like you first before entering any competitions out there....and please remember, one judge's decision cannot change the result of a competiton like this especially we are transparent with our marks.
Let's cheer for the top 5. This year, we will have a panel of 15 judges at the grand finals to decide on ONE deserving champion! Stay tune with us....
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, English Solo Singing competition
12:28 PM
For most part of her life, Alice has always remembered living in the pale white sanctuary of a hospital wing. Room A-14B was her slice of heaven. She was only six when the government agency brought her here for a full medical check up.
And found out she was diagnosed with leukemia.
Her parents were both hardcore drug addicts and passed away not long after they were detained by the police for attempting to hide heroine in their shoes. Alice was sent for a medical check up before they decided to put her under a child-care agency’s care. But after the doctor diagnosed her with leukemia, everything changed and she was whisked away for many immediate treatments under the watchful eyes of experienced doctors.
Her first chemotherapy session was on 19 April 2009. It was successful.
Alice was a girl that you could completely walk pass a thousand times in your life, and never even take a glance at. She hardly spoke a word to anybody, never smiled and never shed tears. Even though she was under the ever loving care of the nurses and doctors, but the scars from her ugly childhood left a deep, unadulterated impact and she always had bad nightmare problems. She was a cold lifeless doll with no breath of humanity until she met Emma.
Emma, also aged 10, was diagnosed with leukemia on 1st May 2009.
She was a happy and exceedingly brilliant child, filled with love and energy from her tight-knitted family. When she was diagnosed with leukemia, her parents’ love was greater than ever. Emma and Alice was a world difference apart. They had nothing in common except that they were both of the same age; same gender, and had same disease.
But nonetheless, they became best friends.
It was on a bright, sunny day.
“Mommy, mommy. Who is that girl? ” Emma curiously asked when she saw Alice around for a few times waiting for her monthly blood tests. Alice was reading intently on a chair.
“Darling, she’s also sick. She just has been here longer than you have.” Her mother replied promptly.
Emma trailed her eyes over the child while fingering her necklace, and decided that that child was the prettiest girl she ever met. And after her mother left the hospital, Emma sneaked out of her room and went into the room the pretty girl always walked to. As usual, the pretty girl was reading a book on her bed. It was titled Pollyanna.
The door closed with a soft shut. Alice was shocked to see a blonde child walking up to her shyly. But her face was impassive, showing no sign of emotion.
“Hello.. Nice to meet you.” Said Emma.
Alice didn’t reply, instead she closed her book and stared at Emma.
“Well I just happened to saw you outside Dr.Hugh’s room and..”
Alice stared.
“OH STOP STARING AT ME. THIS IS SO WEIRD. ”
Both of them stared at each other for a few moments, still tension was in the air.
“Are you…real?” Alice finally asked, with eyes wide open as though Emma was a tooth fairy that only existed in story books.
Emma laughed, and sat on the edge of Alice’s bed.
“Of course I’m real! ” Emma took a bewildered Alice’s hands and cuddled them.
“My name’s Emma Beaufort . Just call me Emma ! I was recently admitted into this big, big hospital and the food here isn’t that all bad , you know? The nurses even gave me a bar of milk chocolate the other day because I was brave to take that injection that Dr.Hugh gave me. It was all painful and I happened to see you there again and—Oh. I completely forgot. I was babbling away and I forgot to ask, what was your name again? ”
“Alice.”
“Alice? What a pretty name ! You’re so pretty too. Oh you’re reading Pollyanna ! I love Pollyanna, she’s the girl that everyone….”
And that was a start of a beautiful friendship. They began to form a strong and fiercely loyal bond. Even Alice’s nightmares were slowly going away. Every day, they would read to each other, play games and even sometimes nick a bud or two from other patient’s flower bouquet just for the fun of it. Of course, they would give them back with a solemn face and then burst out in hysterical laughter when they were safely back in their rooms. They hardly ever spent a day apart.
To Alice, Emma was her Pollyanna.
The girl with the ever-glowing sunshine.
All along, Alice was always quite jealous of Emma’s diamond necklace. It was a simple string with a beautiful square-cut 4-carat diamond set deep in sliver. It was a breath-taker. The necklace was given to by Emma’s late grandmother who adored her grandchild above anything. Even Emma kept it very well and barely let Alice touch her most precious possession in the world, Alice would always stare at it hungrily, and only dream of having a necklace like that one day.
After a whole year of bliss, Emma was to undergo a bone marrow transplant after doctors confirmed her elder brother, Robert, was a near perfect match and that Emma should take this operation. Everyone in her family was overjoyed, because the doctors said Emma had a fairly good chance to live as a normal child again as her condition was looking good and stable. Everyone was happy.. except Alice.
For Alice, this meant that she would lose a best friend, no, an only friend. Emma would be skipping her way out of the hospital and go to a proper school and have proper friends. Although Alice heartily congratulated Emma at first but deep down, she wished that the operation would never happen. She wished that Robert never existed. She wished and wished. And all that anger and jealousy tore away at her. She knew what she felt and thought was wrong, but she didn’t care, because Emma was always the one getting attractive flower bouquets, daintily-wrapped chocolates and photo albums filled with happy family memoirs. It was always Emma.
Why can’t I have a bone marrow transplant too?
Why can’t I have flowers and chocolates too?
Why can’t I have presents?
Why can’t I have a beautiful necklace ?
WHY? WHY? WHY?
This took a drastic turn on their friendship. Emma couldn’t understand why Alice felt such anger towards her. They no longer talked and barely looked at each other. Even Alice kept to herself in her room. She felt lonely and hard again.
The day of the bone marrow transplant operation came not long after.
The day that Alice wished would never happen.
Alice was standing all by herself waiting for her next injection when Emma was wheeled into the operation room. Her family was close by, tearing up with happiness. Then, both friends shared a glance but Alice looked away.
If one was a close observer, one would notice that Emma’s eye lowered in disappointment as the operation room doors closed behind her. Alice walked inside Dr. Hugh’s office to get her injection.
The only thought in her mind as she saw Alice’s eager family waiting in anticipation was
‘ I hate her ’
After many hours, the doctors came out and pulled their masks off.
“Doctor, how did it go? Was it okay? Is she okay? ” the whole family crowded around the doctors, looking worried and impatient.
“I am happy to say it went well, congratulations Mrs.Beaufort . The bone marrow transplant operation was very successful.” The doctors smiled and excused themselves politely.
The whole family was in an uproar and news traveled fast. Alice heard about it, and she felt her world was growing bigger and lonelier. Nobody was with her now.
Alice and Emma never talked to each other, even during Emma’s last weeks at the hospital. Emma tried to greet Alice every time they met, but no avail. The wall Alice had built around her was so solid and strong.
The few months in which there was no Emma to talk to, was plain hell for Alice even though she would never admit it. She still felt the jealousy of Emma being able to be a normal girl again, but deep down inside her heart, she had this tingly feeling. Like something was wrong.
The hospital days passed slower and slower. Until one day, an enclosed letter addressed to Alice was sent.
It rained heavily, What an ominous, gloomy setting for the evening, Alice thought. She sat by the window sill, and let out a soft sigh before opening the letter.
Dear Alice,
I regrettably write this letter to inform you that my sister, Emma Beaufort, passed away a few days ago. It was her last wish to inform you of her passing. She said the few months spent with you was unforgettable and she wished that you would understand. Besides that, she has also sent you something that she’s been working on the past few months. I have placed it all in a box, please collect it from the nurses…Well, I always had hoped that you two would someday reunite. This pains me.
Alice, I hope that you will give Emma your blessings.
Thank you,
Robert
“EMMA DIED?” Alice was wild in shock.
“WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME THIS ?”
She broke down and started howling. The nurses took her to her room and tried to calm her down. But Alice slammed the door shut and started shrieking.
“THIS IS A LIE. THIS IS A LIEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!! I HATE YOU ALL . I HATE YOU ALL ! GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME ALONE ! LEAVE ME ALONEE NOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Alice cried herself to sleep that night, in her hands clutched the letter, the words now blurred by her tears.
In the morning, without changing her clothes, with a bloated face and puffy, swollen eyes, Alice walked up to the nurse and asked in a hoarse voice for the box Robert mentioned in his letter. The nurse immediately fetched the box after seeing the poor state of her patient.
Alice walked slowly back to the room, knowing stares and whispers were thrown in her way, but everything was so numb. She couldn’t feel anything except the smooth surface of the big box Robert sent. She held onto it tightly.
After plopping it on her floor, Alice felt weak and miserable. She had given up all hope and faith. Nothing mattered. She tore open the box roughly and everything tumbled out. It was colorful. At one look, Alice could see paper flowers, soft toys, small boxes, chocolates, candies. And they all had tags on them. She curiously held a stuffed puppy and read its tag.
Aliceee ! I bought this at a fair near my house. Doesn’t this look like Nurse Lydia’s white puppy? Minus the snapping and barking ! –Emma
Alice stifled back a sob. Emma did this all for her?
She grabbed a chocolate bar and read its pink tag.
Hullo Alice! Guess what? This chocolate bar’s brand is WILLY WONKA! You remember Charlie and the chocolate factory? I’ll bet a pound that you’ll love it!
The flavors were so sour that even Robert spat it out. His expression was priceless!
-Emma
Alice went through all the presents that Emma gotten for her, every tag that she read she had to squeeze her eyes to prevent any more tears from coming out. Every tag was so meaningful, the months that she spent with Emma felt alive and real again. She hated herself for hating Emma. She hated herself for being a stupid friend. And most of all, she hated herself for not being there when Emma needed her most.
Alice started crying all over again. Emma was gone forever.
And nothing she could do or say would bring her back.
Alice stood up and accidentally kicked something in her way. It was a tiny black box. She picked it up and opened it slowly. Something long and shiny fell out gracefully on her palm.
It was a very familiar, stunning necklace with a single diamond on it.
The tag wrote:
Alice, always have faith. -Emma
And found out she was diagnosed with leukemia.
Her parents were both hardcore drug addicts and passed away not long after they were detained by the police for attempting to hide heroine in their shoes. Alice was sent for a medical check up before they decided to put her under a child-care agency’s care. But after the doctor diagnosed her with leukemia, everything changed and she was whisked away for many immediate treatments under the watchful eyes of experienced doctors.
Her first chemotherapy session was on 19 April 2009. It was successful.
Alice was a girl that you could completely walk pass a thousand times in your life, and never even take a glance at. She hardly spoke a word to anybody, never smiled and never shed tears. Even though she was under the ever loving care of the nurses and doctors, but the scars from her ugly childhood left a deep, unadulterated impact and she always had bad nightmare problems. She was a cold lifeless doll with no breath of humanity until she met Emma.
Emma, also aged 10, was diagnosed with leukemia on 1st May 2009.
She was a happy and exceedingly brilliant child, filled with love and energy from her tight-knitted family. When she was diagnosed with leukemia, her parents’ love was greater than ever. Emma and Alice was a world difference apart. They had nothing in common except that they were both of the same age; same gender, and had same disease.
But nonetheless, they became best friends.
It was on a bright, sunny day.
“Mommy, mommy. Who is that girl? ” Emma curiously asked when she saw Alice around for a few times waiting for her monthly blood tests. Alice was reading intently on a chair.
“Darling, she’s also sick. She just has been here longer than you have.” Her mother replied promptly.
Emma trailed her eyes over the child while fingering her necklace, and decided that that child was the prettiest girl she ever met. And after her mother left the hospital, Emma sneaked out of her room and went into the room the pretty girl always walked to. As usual, the pretty girl was reading a book on her bed. It was titled Pollyanna.
The door closed with a soft shut. Alice was shocked to see a blonde child walking up to her shyly. But her face was impassive, showing no sign of emotion.
“Hello.. Nice to meet you.” Said Emma.
Alice didn’t reply, instead she closed her book and stared at Emma.
“Well I just happened to saw you outside Dr.Hugh’s room and..”
Alice stared.
“OH STOP STARING AT ME. THIS IS SO WEIRD. ”
Both of them stared at each other for a few moments, still tension was in the air.
“Are you…real?” Alice finally asked, with eyes wide open as though Emma was a tooth fairy that only existed in story books.
Emma laughed, and sat on the edge of Alice’s bed.
“Of course I’m real! ” Emma took a bewildered Alice’s hands and cuddled them.
“My name’s Emma Beaufort . Just call me Emma ! I was recently admitted into this big, big hospital and the food here isn’t that all bad , you know? The nurses even gave me a bar of milk chocolate the other day because I was brave to take that injection that Dr.Hugh gave me. It was all painful and I happened to see you there again and—Oh. I completely forgot. I was babbling away and I forgot to ask, what was your name again? ”
“Alice.”
“Alice? What a pretty name ! You’re so pretty too. Oh you’re reading Pollyanna ! I love Pollyanna, she’s the girl that everyone….”
And that was a start of a beautiful friendship. They began to form a strong and fiercely loyal bond. Even Alice’s nightmares were slowly going away. Every day, they would read to each other, play games and even sometimes nick a bud or two from other patient’s flower bouquet just for the fun of it. Of course, they would give them back with a solemn face and then burst out in hysterical laughter when they were safely back in their rooms. They hardly ever spent a day apart.
To Alice, Emma was her Pollyanna.
The girl with the ever-glowing sunshine.
All along, Alice was always quite jealous of Emma’s diamond necklace. It was a simple string with a beautiful square-cut 4-carat diamond set deep in sliver. It was a breath-taker. The necklace was given to by Emma’s late grandmother who adored her grandchild above anything. Even Emma kept it very well and barely let Alice touch her most precious possession in the world, Alice would always stare at it hungrily, and only dream of having a necklace like that one day.
After a whole year of bliss, Emma was to undergo a bone marrow transplant after doctors confirmed her elder brother, Robert, was a near perfect match and that Emma should take this operation. Everyone in her family was overjoyed, because the doctors said Emma had a fairly good chance to live as a normal child again as her condition was looking good and stable. Everyone was happy.. except Alice.
For Alice, this meant that she would lose a best friend, no, an only friend. Emma would be skipping her way out of the hospital and go to a proper school and have proper friends. Although Alice heartily congratulated Emma at first but deep down, she wished that the operation would never happen. She wished that Robert never existed. She wished and wished. And all that anger and jealousy tore away at her. She knew what she felt and thought was wrong, but she didn’t care, because Emma was always the one getting attractive flower bouquets, daintily-wrapped chocolates and photo albums filled with happy family memoirs. It was always Emma.
Why can’t I have a bone marrow transplant too?
Why can’t I have flowers and chocolates too?
Why can’t I have presents?
Why can’t I have a beautiful necklace ?
WHY? WHY? WHY?
This took a drastic turn on their friendship. Emma couldn’t understand why Alice felt such anger towards her. They no longer talked and barely looked at each other. Even Alice kept to herself in her room. She felt lonely and hard again.
The day of the bone marrow transplant operation came not long after.
The day that Alice wished would never happen.
Alice was standing all by herself waiting for her next injection when Emma was wheeled into the operation room. Her family was close by, tearing up with happiness. Then, both friends shared a glance but Alice looked away.
If one was a close observer, one would notice that Emma’s eye lowered in disappointment as the operation room doors closed behind her. Alice walked inside Dr. Hugh’s office to get her injection.
The only thought in her mind as she saw Alice’s eager family waiting in anticipation was
‘ I hate her ’
After many hours, the doctors came out and pulled their masks off.
“Doctor, how did it go? Was it okay? Is she okay? ” the whole family crowded around the doctors, looking worried and impatient.
“I am happy to say it went well, congratulations Mrs.Beaufort . The bone marrow transplant operation was very successful.” The doctors smiled and excused themselves politely.
The whole family was in an uproar and news traveled fast. Alice heard about it, and she felt her world was growing bigger and lonelier. Nobody was with her now.
Alice and Emma never talked to each other, even during Emma’s last weeks at the hospital. Emma tried to greet Alice every time they met, but no avail. The wall Alice had built around her was so solid and strong.
The few months in which there was no Emma to talk to, was plain hell for Alice even though she would never admit it. She still felt the jealousy of Emma being able to be a normal girl again, but deep down inside her heart, she had this tingly feeling. Like something was wrong.
The hospital days passed slower and slower. Until one day, an enclosed letter addressed to Alice was sent.
It rained heavily, What an ominous, gloomy setting for the evening, Alice thought. She sat by the window sill, and let out a soft sigh before opening the letter.
Dear Alice,
I regrettably write this letter to inform you that my sister, Emma Beaufort, passed away a few days ago. It was her last wish to inform you of her passing. She said the few months spent with you was unforgettable and she wished that you would understand. Besides that, she has also sent you something that she’s been working on the past few months. I have placed it all in a box, please collect it from the nurses…Well, I always had hoped that you two would someday reunite. This pains me.
Alice, I hope that you will give Emma your blessings.
Thank you,
Robert
“EMMA DIED?” Alice was wild in shock.
“WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME THIS ?”
She broke down and started howling. The nurses took her to her room and tried to calm her down. But Alice slammed the door shut and started shrieking.
“THIS IS A LIE. THIS IS A LIEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!! I HATE YOU ALL . I HATE YOU ALL ! GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME ALONE ! LEAVE ME ALONEE NOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Alice cried herself to sleep that night, in her hands clutched the letter, the words now blurred by her tears.
In the morning, without changing her clothes, with a bloated face and puffy, swollen eyes, Alice walked up to the nurse and asked in a hoarse voice for the box Robert mentioned in his letter. The nurse immediately fetched the box after seeing the poor state of her patient.
Alice walked slowly back to the room, knowing stares and whispers were thrown in her way, but everything was so numb. She couldn’t feel anything except the smooth surface of the big box Robert sent. She held onto it tightly.
After plopping it on her floor, Alice felt weak and miserable. She had given up all hope and faith. Nothing mattered. She tore open the box roughly and everything tumbled out. It was colorful. At one look, Alice could see paper flowers, soft toys, small boxes, chocolates, candies. And they all had tags on them. She curiously held a stuffed puppy and read its tag.
Aliceee ! I bought this at a fair near my house. Doesn’t this look like Nurse Lydia’s white puppy? Minus the snapping and barking ! –Emma
Alice stifled back a sob. Emma did this all for her?
She grabbed a chocolate bar and read its pink tag.
Hullo Alice! Guess what? This chocolate bar’s brand is WILLY WONKA! You remember Charlie and the chocolate factory? I’ll bet a pound that you’ll love it!
The flavors were so sour that even Robert spat it out. His expression was priceless!
-Emma
Alice went through all the presents that Emma gotten for her, every tag that she read she had to squeeze her eyes to prevent any more tears from coming out. Every tag was so meaningful, the months that she spent with Emma felt alive and real again. She hated herself for hating Emma. She hated herself for being a stupid friend. And most of all, she hated herself for not being there when Emma needed her most.
Alice started crying all over again. Emma was gone forever.
And nothing she could do or say would bring her back.
Alice stood up and accidentally kicked something in her way. It was a tiny black box. She picked it up and opened it slowly. Something long and shiny fell out gracefully on her palm.
It was a very familiar, stunning necklace with a single diamond on it.
The tag wrote:
Alice, always have faith. -Emma
Labels: category A, English Essay Writing Competition, gold
12:18 PM
Dyslexia. If you ask a doctor or even an adult what it means, they will tell you it is an impaired ability to read and write. However, if you ask an immature teenager, he or she will probably tell you it’s a disease, which makes kids useless. Is this true? Are they useless? Or is there something they are good at?
This brings us to the story of Shayden Wehr.
Shayden was a quiet, well-mannered boy. At the age of 6, he was diagnosed with dyslexia. That was his first year of elementary school. His grades were extremely low. His parents thought that a personal tutor would help, so they hired one. They didn’t want to believe that he could not read, or write. They wanted to believe that he just would not. By the age of 7, he was still failing every class except for Art.
Yes. That was one of the only things Shayden was good at. As he couldn’t read or write, he spent most of his time drawing, colouring and painting. He was pretty much absorbed in himself. This was because he had no friends in school. Every one called him a freak. Who knew you could be called a freak at the age of 7?
Two years passed by and he has his 9th birthday. Shayden had shown no improvement whatsoever in his studies. He knew he couldn’t do anything in that school. He had given up on himself. Much worse, his father had given up on him. His father turned abusive. He couldn’t take the complaints from the school and remarks from other people. He cared for his reputation and he felt that his son was ruining it.
When anything had happened to him, he would cry to his mother. He often states the same thing.
“ I am stupid! Dad thinks I am stupid! Why do I need to go to school anyway? When I grow up, I want to draw and paint. I don’t need school,” he would keep telling his mother. Sometimes, his mother would feel a tug in her heartstrings.
“ Why did this happen to me? Why can’t I read? Why can’t I write? Why, mother, why?! I just want to be normal so every one will talk to me at school,” His mother didn’t know what to say. After a while, they would both just fall asleep.
“ This is the last straw! I can’t have you here anymore,” shouted Mr. Wehr. Shayden’s father had just been to his school for a parent-teacher conference. Shayden’s English teacher had shouted directly to his face. Mr. Wehr had never been angrier in his life. He had to put his son somewhere else. Mr. and Mrs. Wehr had decided to put him in a boarding school. Although, Shayden’s mother was actually forced to. She didn’t want to leave her son. What kind of mother would, especially when he needed help?
So it was set. Shayden left for a private boarding school in the middle of the semester. It was hard for him to settle in. He did make a friend. His dorm-mate. A cripple named Jaymie. They thought they could relate to each other as they both had disabilities. Shayden was happy that he still had Art. He was also fond of the teacher, Mr. Colin Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was a young, good-looking man who would actually do better, rather then just teaching. No one knew why he wanted to teach little kids Art. Well, not yet, anyway. Over the next few months, Mr. Bennett took a sudden interest towards this Shayden Wehr. At first, he didn’t know why. Then, he started talking to Shayden after finding out he was diagnosed with dyslexia. You see, Mr. Bennett had a peculiar interest in disabled kids.
Mr. Bennett and Shayden soon became good friends. Mr. Bennett never brought “dyslexia” up though. All they talked about was anything that tickled their fancy. After all, they already had a common interest, Art. Soon later, Shayden finally opened up to him about how he is not able to read and write.
“ I could teach you,” said Mr. Bennett.
“ That’s impossible. I’ve already had 3 different teachers. Look how they did,” muttered Shayden.
“ Ah. Well, how I teach is different. I have a younger sister with dyslexia too,” said Mr. Bennett. Shayden was surprised, mainly because he didn’t know what dyslexia meant. However, Shayden gave in. It would be nice to pass an exam, he thought. It was already Year 4.
It was true. Mr. Bennett sure had a different way of teaching. He did everything slowly, following Shayden’s pace. Slowly, he was able to read the word ‘cat’ and then write a word like ‘elephant’. For the first time is his life, Shayden felt that he was good at something else, besides Art.
Months later, Shayden could pass exams for Year 1, 2 and 3. The ones he has sat for, but never took. Shayden felt on top of the world. He did well in class too. He paid attention to the teachers and even made notes. His handwriting was still barely readable, but he still had time.
Extra lessons with Mr. Bennett were still going on. By that time, his Year 4 exams were the next week, but he had studied and felt prepared. Even his skills for Art got better.
2 weeks later…
Shayden had passed his examinations. There were A’s and B’s and C’s but he didn’t fail even one subject. His parents came to pick him up for the term’s holidays. Shayden almost cried when he saw that big smile on his father’s face. His mother was already crying of joy for her son.
Then, Shayden saw him. Mr. Bennett. He ran towards him as though his legs were going to fall off. Shayden gave him the biggest hug anyone could ever imagine. Right then and there, Shayden thought, what if there was never a Mr. Bennett? What if there was no one that caring, who made him pass his exams?
Almost a decade later, at the age of 18, Shayden was given a full scholarship to New York’s finest art school. He had also studied like a normal student throughout. He still had minor difficulties with his dyslexia but hey, he got what he wished for. He could read and write. Now that, was against all odds.
This brings us to the story of Shayden Wehr.
Shayden was a quiet, well-mannered boy. At the age of 6, he was diagnosed with dyslexia. That was his first year of elementary school. His grades were extremely low. His parents thought that a personal tutor would help, so they hired one. They didn’t want to believe that he could not read, or write. They wanted to believe that he just would not. By the age of 7, he was still failing every class except for Art.
Yes. That was one of the only things Shayden was good at. As he couldn’t read or write, he spent most of his time drawing, colouring and painting. He was pretty much absorbed in himself. This was because he had no friends in school. Every one called him a freak. Who knew you could be called a freak at the age of 7?
Two years passed by and he has his 9th birthday. Shayden had shown no improvement whatsoever in his studies. He knew he couldn’t do anything in that school. He had given up on himself. Much worse, his father had given up on him. His father turned abusive. He couldn’t take the complaints from the school and remarks from other people. He cared for his reputation and he felt that his son was ruining it.
When anything had happened to him, he would cry to his mother. He often states the same thing.
“ I am stupid! Dad thinks I am stupid! Why do I need to go to school anyway? When I grow up, I want to draw and paint. I don’t need school,” he would keep telling his mother. Sometimes, his mother would feel a tug in her heartstrings.
“ Why did this happen to me? Why can’t I read? Why can’t I write? Why, mother, why?! I just want to be normal so every one will talk to me at school,” His mother didn’t know what to say. After a while, they would both just fall asleep.
“ This is the last straw! I can’t have you here anymore,” shouted Mr. Wehr. Shayden’s father had just been to his school for a parent-teacher conference. Shayden’s English teacher had shouted directly to his face. Mr. Wehr had never been angrier in his life. He had to put his son somewhere else. Mr. and Mrs. Wehr had decided to put him in a boarding school. Although, Shayden’s mother was actually forced to. She didn’t want to leave her son. What kind of mother would, especially when he needed help?
So it was set. Shayden left for a private boarding school in the middle of the semester. It was hard for him to settle in. He did make a friend. His dorm-mate. A cripple named Jaymie. They thought they could relate to each other as they both had disabilities. Shayden was happy that he still had Art. He was also fond of the teacher, Mr. Colin Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was a young, good-looking man who would actually do better, rather then just teaching. No one knew why he wanted to teach little kids Art. Well, not yet, anyway. Over the next few months, Mr. Bennett took a sudden interest towards this Shayden Wehr. At first, he didn’t know why. Then, he started talking to Shayden after finding out he was diagnosed with dyslexia. You see, Mr. Bennett had a peculiar interest in disabled kids.
Mr. Bennett and Shayden soon became good friends. Mr. Bennett never brought “dyslexia” up though. All they talked about was anything that tickled their fancy. After all, they already had a common interest, Art. Soon later, Shayden finally opened up to him about how he is not able to read and write.
“ I could teach you,” said Mr. Bennett.
“ That’s impossible. I’ve already had 3 different teachers. Look how they did,” muttered Shayden.
“ Ah. Well, how I teach is different. I have a younger sister with dyslexia too,” said Mr. Bennett. Shayden was surprised, mainly because he didn’t know what dyslexia meant. However, Shayden gave in. It would be nice to pass an exam, he thought. It was already Year 4.
It was true. Mr. Bennett sure had a different way of teaching. He did everything slowly, following Shayden’s pace. Slowly, he was able to read the word ‘cat’ and then write a word like ‘elephant’. For the first time is his life, Shayden felt that he was good at something else, besides Art.
Months later, Shayden could pass exams for Year 1, 2 and 3. The ones he has sat for, but never took. Shayden felt on top of the world. He did well in class too. He paid attention to the teachers and even made notes. His handwriting was still barely readable, but he still had time.
Extra lessons with Mr. Bennett were still going on. By that time, his Year 4 exams were the next week, but he had studied and felt prepared. Even his skills for Art got better.
2 weeks later…
Shayden had passed his examinations. There were A’s and B’s and C’s but he didn’t fail even one subject. His parents came to pick him up for the term’s holidays. Shayden almost cried when he saw that big smile on his father’s face. His mother was already crying of joy for her son.
Then, Shayden saw him. Mr. Bennett. He ran towards him as though his legs were going to fall off. Shayden gave him the biggest hug anyone could ever imagine. Right then and there, Shayden thought, what if there was never a Mr. Bennett? What if there was no one that caring, who made him pass his exams?
Almost a decade later, at the age of 18, Shayden was given a full scholarship to New York’s finest art school. He had also studied like a normal student throughout. He still had minor difficulties with his dyslexia but hey, he got what he wished for. He could read and write. Now that, was against all odds.
Labels: category A, English Essay Writing Competition, silver
12:16 PM
Isabelle looked out the window and smiled as she felt the warmth of the sun’s rays on her face. She loved the morning when the Earth woke up and the first signs of life made itself known. She stretched herself and slowly made her way to the window.
“Isabelle, get back into bed right now!” Isabelle frowned as she heard the nurse’s voice, ruining the beauty of the early morning birdsongs just outside the window.
“I am ill, Brenda, not totally incompetent,” Isabelle said in a tone of defiance. It was bad enough that they kept her cooped up in a small hospital room. They could at least let her go to the window and enjoy whatever peace she could find there.
“Fine, stay by the window, but don’t let me catch you sneaking out again.”
Isabelle nodded and dismissed the nurse with a wave of her hand. When the nurse had left, she turned to the patient on the other bed next to hers.
“Won’t you join me, Teresa?” she asked the other girl. Teresa looked up at Isabelle with a blank look on her face and shrugged her shoulders.
“What’s the point? I’m dying, you’re dying. We both have nothing left.”
“We have faith,” whispered Isabelle.
“Faith?”
“Yes, I have faith that God will deliver me from my illness.”
“You and your God, you disturb me.” Isabelle only smiled at Teresa’s obvious insult of her religion. During the time she spent in the hospital, she had gotten to know her roommate quite a bit. She knew that Teresa had a dull outlook towards life and did not believe in anything. The added ‘bonus’ of her chronic illness only served to make her all the more bitter towards life. Isabelle had always wondered how she got through each day with that attitude of hers.
On the other hand, Teresa did not understand how Isabelle could be so optimistic when each passing day only brought her that much closer to death. She could not fathom how her roommate maintained her belief that everything would be okay. Most of all, she did not understand how Isabelle could have so much faith in her God.
“Tomorrow is the day you will have your operation.” Isabelle’s childlike voice brought Teresa out of her musings. Was it? She honestly couldn’t remember. What was the point of remembering which day it was that would likely bring her death? A heart transplant had a low success rate after all.
“Good luck. I will pray for you,” Isabelle said, extending her hand. Teresa glanced at the hand apprehensively, before gingerly shaking it.
“I’ll most likely die anyway.” Isabelle’s eyes darkened at Teresa’s words. Just as Teresa was wondering why her roommate looked so angry, she suddenly felt the sting of Isabelle’s slap across her face.
“Don’t you keep pretending like you want to die,” Isabelle said, her voice raised a little higher than usual. Teresa did not think Isabelle even noticed the tenseness in her own voice.
“And what if I do? It will be a relief after all this,” Teresa retorted darkly.
“You’re cynical, skeptical and generally quite a pain, but you don’t have a
death wish. No matter what you’ve said, you don’t want to die, because you have faith as well,” Isabelle said, her voice softer this time. “You may not have faith in my God, but somewhere deep inside, you do have faith that you’ll survive this. You don’t want to die, because you know there is still a chance,” Isabelle said slowly as if explaining some complicated concept to a small child.
Was there still a chance? Of course there were always two sides to everything, a positive and a negative. It was whether the good outweighed the bad or vice versa. In her situation however, there was no denying that the chances of dying were so much more than the chances of surviving but Isabelle was right in a way. There was still a chance, however small it might be. The question was, did she believe in that slight chance that she would live. Could she have enough faith?
The next day, Teresa was wheeled to the operation room, sitting with a quiet confidence. There were no words that needed to be exchanged. Isabelle knew something she had said to Teresa the previous day had gotten through to her. There was a fire in her eyes that Isabelle had never seen before. Isabelle sensed that Teresa was determined to pull through. Before being wheeled through the operation room door, Teresa turned towards Isabelle and nodded her head – A silent promise, ‘I will see you later.’
Isabelle’s outburst the previous day had struck Teresa like a magic sword. She realized that she had so much to live for. She knew her family missed her terribly and her friends wanted her back as well. She wanted to live to see them again. She knew she needed to put up a good fight for her life if indeed she truly wanted a chance to survive. She needed faith – A faith that would summon every part of her body to build up the strength that would see her through the surgery and whatever risks that came with it.
The doctor injected some sort of sedative into her bloodstream and Teresa had one last thought before unconsciousness claimed her. ‘Isabelle’s God, if you exist, please help me.’
Teresa came to her senses a few hours later and found the familiar face of her doctor smiling down at her. Form his expression and the expression of her family members, she knew that the operation was a success. It looked like she really would have to thank Isabelle later. Teresa smiled for the first time in a long time.
A month later, Isabelle had her liver transplant. Before going into the operation room, Teresa squeezed her hand in encouragement and said, “Have faith, Isabelle.”
The morning after Isabelle’s operation, the two girls had a small celebration in their hospital room. The worst was over and now, both of them had their whole lives ahead of them. Recuperation would be a piece of cake compared to what they had already been through. Suddenly, Isabelle broke into a gentle smile as she realized she would soon be able to watch the sunrise from somewhere other than a hospital window. Teresa, as if sensing her thoughts, looked towards the window as well. The orange glow of the sun beckoned an exciting new era in both their lives.
“Isabelle, get back into bed right now!” Isabelle frowned as she heard the nurse’s voice, ruining the beauty of the early morning birdsongs just outside the window.
“I am ill, Brenda, not totally incompetent,” Isabelle said in a tone of defiance. It was bad enough that they kept her cooped up in a small hospital room. They could at least let her go to the window and enjoy whatever peace she could find there.
“Fine, stay by the window, but don’t let me catch you sneaking out again.”
Isabelle nodded and dismissed the nurse with a wave of her hand. When the nurse had left, she turned to the patient on the other bed next to hers.
“Won’t you join me, Teresa?” she asked the other girl. Teresa looked up at Isabelle with a blank look on her face and shrugged her shoulders.
“What’s the point? I’m dying, you’re dying. We both have nothing left.”
“We have faith,” whispered Isabelle.
“Faith?”
“Yes, I have faith that God will deliver me from my illness.”
“You and your God, you disturb me.” Isabelle only smiled at Teresa’s obvious insult of her religion. During the time she spent in the hospital, she had gotten to know her roommate quite a bit. She knew that Teresa had a dull outlook towards life and did not believe in anything. The added ‘bonus’ of her chronic illness only served to make her all the more bitter towards life. Isabelle had always wondered how she got through each day with that attitude of hers.
On the other hand, Teresa did not understand how Isabelle could be so optimistic when each passing day only brought her that much closer to death. She could not fathom how her roommate maintained her belief that everything would be okay. Most of all, she did not understand how Isabelle could have so much faith in her God.
“Tomorrow is the day you will have your operation.” Isabelle’s childlike voice brought Teresa out of her musings. Was it? She honestly couldn’t remember. What was the point of remembering which day it was that would likely bring her death? A heart transplant had a low success rate after all.
“Good luck. I will pray for you,” Isabelle said, extending her hand. Teresa glanced at the hand apprehensively, before gingerly shaking it.
“I’ll most likely die anyway.” Isabelle’s eyes darkened at Teresa’s words. Just as Teresa was wondering why her roommate looked so angry, she suddenly felt the sting of Isabelle’s slap across her face.
“Don’t you keep pretending like you want to die,” Isabelle said, her voice raised a little higher than usual. Teresa did not think Isabelle even noticed the tenseness in her own voice.
“And what if I do? It will be a relief after all this,” Teresa retorted darkly.
“You’re cynical, skeptical and generally quite a pain, but you don’t have a
death wish. No matter what you’ve said, you don’t want to die, because you have faith as well,” Isabelle said, her voice softer this time. “You may not have faith in my God, but somewhere deep inside, you do have faith that you’ll survive this. You don’t want to die, because you know there is still a chance,” Isabelle said slowly as if explaining some complicated concept to a small child.
Was there still a chance? Of course there were always two sides to everything, a positive and a negative. It was whether the good outweighed the bad or vice versa. In her situation however, there was no denying that the chances of dying were so much more than the chances of surviving but Isabelle was right in a way. There was still a chance, however small it might be. The question was, did she believe in that slight chance that she would live. Could she have enough faith?
The next day, Teresa was wheeled to the operation room, sitting with a quiet confidence. There were no words that needed to be exchanged. Isabelle knew something she had said to Teresa the previous day had gotten through to her. There was a fire in her eyes that Isabelle had never seen before. Isabelle sensed that Teresa was determined to pull through. Before being wheeled through the operation room door, Teresa turned towards Isabelle and nodded her head – A silent promise, ‘I will see you later.’
Isabelle’s outburst the previous day had struck Teresa like a magic sword. She realized that she had so much to live for. She knew her family missed her terribly and her friends wanted her back as well. She wanted to live to see them again. She knew she needed to put up a good fight for her life if indeed she truly wanted a chance to survive. She needed faith – A faith that would summon every part of her body to build up the strength that would see her through the surgery and whatever risks that came with it.
The doctor injected some sort of sedative into her bloodstream and Teresa had one last thought before unconsciousness claimed her. ‘Isabelle’s God, if you exist, please help me.’
Teresa came to her senses a few hours later and found the familiar face of her doctor smiling down at her. Form his expression and the expression of her family members, she knew that the operation was a success. It looked like she really would have to thank Isabelle later. Teresa smiled for the first time in a long time.
A month later, Isabelle had her liver transplant. Before going into the operation room, Teresa squeezed her hand in encouragement and said, “Have faith, Isabelle.”
The morning after Isabelle’s operation, the two girls had a small celebration in their hospital room. The worst was over and now, both of them had their whole lives ahead of them. Recuperation would be a piece of cake compared to what they had already been through. Suddenly, Isabelle broke into a gentle smile as she realized she would soon be able to watch the sunrise from somewhere other than a hospital window. Teresa, as if sensing her thoughts, looked towards the window as well. The orange glow of the sun beckoned an exciting new era in both their lives.
Labels: bronze, category A, English Essay Writing Competition
12:13 PM
Category A
GOLD - Ong Ee Fen (3W) - 90%
SILVER - Elya Miza (3A) - 86%
BRONZE - Cheryl Ng Shi Rou (3C) - 83%
Category B
GOLD - Nicole Tan Jie Hwei (5A) - 92%
SILVER - Ng Yuet Chi (5M) - 91%
BRONZE - Nicole Chen (5J) & Zoelaikha Thea Ibrahim (5J) - 88%
GOLD - Ong Ee Fen (3W) - 90%
SILVER - Elya Miza (3A) - 86%
BRONZE - Cheryl Ng Shi Rou (3C) - 83%
Category B
GOLD - Nicole Tan Jie Hwei (5A) - 92%
SILVER - Ng Yuet Chi (5M) - 91%
BRONZE - Nicole Chen (5J) & Zoelaikha Thea Ibrahim (5J) - 88%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, English Essay Writing Competition, winners
12:09 PM
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
3:37 PM
1:13 PM
12:57 PM
12:57 PM
12:51 PM
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
5:02 PM
4:49 PM
Category A
1. 3 Galileo (Raja Nazaruddin, Dickson Tan Seng Fang, Megat Abraham Khairuddin, Teh Qing Da, Muhammad Syazwan) – 69.3%
2. 3 Galileo (Lim Jodi, Sophia Liew Yi Liu, Tan Ying Xi, Yeoh Xiu Ying, Sabrina Chua Bei Yu) – 64.7%
3. 3 Newton (Nur Sofea Athila, Raja Hisham Aleef, Razlan Ashwyn Arif, Nur Syahirah Khairuddin, Prishaa Ellagovan) – 62.8%
4. 2 Mozart (Fam Hui Ying, Maryam Noor Saidi, Stanley Justin Chong, Lee Ee Gene, Celina Lau Rong Chian) – 59.7%
5. 3 Wordsworth (Yau Yen Hui, Ong Ee Fen, Sarah Chan Ming Hua, Ng Jing Hui, Yoong Yi Lynn) – 58.3%
Category B
1. 5 Mozart (Rachel Ng Feng Yong, Nur Athirah Baran, Fam Kai Cong, Peter Kurniawan, Victor Yip) – 66.7%
2. 5 Edison (Andrew Seow, Dickson Liew, Khoo Jian Yong, Ng Wei Meng, Chye Haw Dong) – 66.2%
3. 5 Dickens (Gan Ming Yao, Eleena Rashidah Khalid, Rachel Ling Hui Ern, Yong Jia Lin, Shanon Au Yong Wei Xi) – 64.3%
4. 4 Dickens (Celine Thai Hung Yann, Chia Chien Teng, Tiffany Khoo Mei Ling, Sarah Nadira, Shanni Chew Shen Li) – 64.0%
5. 5 Aristotle (Saw Mei Yi, Shue Wan Nee, Mabel Leung, Tiong Chong Wei, Pang Ven Hui) – 58.3%
1. 3 Galileo (Raja Nazaruddin, Dickson Tan Seng Fang, Megat Abraham Khairuddin, Teh Qing Da, Muhammad Syazwan) – 69.3%
2. 3 Galileo (Lim Jodi, Sophia Liew Yi Liu, Tan Ying Xi, Yeoh Xiu Ying, Sabrina Chua Bei Yu) – 64.7%
3. 3 Newton (Nur Sofea Athila, Raja Hisham Aleef, Razlan Ashwyn Arif, Nur Syahirah Khairuddin, Prishaa Ellagovan) – 62.8%
4. 2 Mozart (Fam Hui Ying, Maryam Noor Saidi, Stanley Justin Chong, Lee Ee Gene, Celina Lau Rong Chian) – 59.7%
5. 3 Wordsworth (Yau Yen Hui, Ong Ee Fen, Sarah Chan Ming Hua, Ng Jing Hui, Yoong Yi Lynn) – 58.3%
Category B
1. 5 Mozart (Rachel Ng Feng Yong, Nur Athirah Baran, Fam Kai Cong, Peter Kurniawan, Victor Yip) – 66.7%
2. 5 Edison (Andrew Seow, Dickson Liew, Khoo Jian Yong, Ng Wei Meng, Chye Haw Dong) – 66.2%
3. 5 Dickens (Gan Ming Yao, Eleena Rashidah Khalid, Rachel Ling Hui Ern, Yong Jia Lin, Shanon Au Yong Wei Xi) – 64.3%
4. 4 Dickens (Celine Thai Hung Yann, Chia Chien Teng, Tiffany Khoo Mei Ling, Sarah Nadira, Shanni Chew Shen Li) – 64.0%
5. 5 Aristotle (Saw Mei Yi, Shue Wan Nee, Mabel Leung, Tiong Chong Wei, Pang Ven Hui) – 58.3%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, finalists, Group Singing
1:43 PM
Monday, May 10, 2010
5:33 PM
5:29 PM
1. Jocelyn Ho & Chia Chien Teng (4D) – 68.4%
2. Razlan Ashley Arif & Eleena Rashidah Khalid (5D) – 67.0%
3. Andrew Seow & Anwar Ihsan (5E) – 66.6%
4. Fam Kai-Cong & Peter Kurniawan (5M) – 65.3%
5. Loo Yik Herr & Cheong Anne Ping (4E) – 62.7%
5. Rachel Ng & Nur Athirah Baran (5M) – 62.7%
2. Razlan Ashley Arif & Eleena Rashidah Khalid (5D) – 67.0%
3. Andrew Seow & Anwar Ihsan (5E) – 66.6%
4. Fam Kai-Cong & Peter Kurniawan (5M) – 65.3%
5. Loo Yik Herr & Cheong Anne Ping (4E) – 62.7%
5. Rachel Ng & Nur Athirah Baran (5M) – 62.7%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, English Duet Singing
4:37 PM
1. Razlan Ashwyn (3N) – 73.1%
2. Sophia Liew Yii Lin (3G) – 71.3%
3. Joanna Tan Hui Jean (2M) – 71.0%
4. Crystal Koo (3W) – 70.1%
5. Nur Syahirah (3N) – 67.2%
5. Lim Jodi (3G) – 67.2%
2. Sophia Liew Yii Lin (3G) – 71.3%
3. Joanna Tan Hui Jean (2M) – 71.0%
4. Crystal Koo (3W) – 70.1%
5. Nur Syahirah (3N) – 67.2%
5. Lim Jodi (3G) – 67.2%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category A, English Solo Singing competition
4:37 PM
1. Time To Shine by Nur Athirah Baran, Fam Kai Cong, Rachel Ng and Victor Yip – 5 Mozart (69.8%)
Music, lyrics and arranged by Fam Shen Deng
2. Paramount Spirit by Gary Tee – 5 Wordsworth (66.8%)
Music, lyrics and arranged by Casper Chia
3. Friends As One by Nur Athirah Baran, Fam Kai Cong, Rachel Ng and Victor Yip – 5 Mozart (66.3%)
Music, lyrics and arranged by Geoffrey Yong
Best Composition
GOLD – Friends As One by Geoffrey Yong (5M)
SILVER – Time To Shine by Fam Shen Deng (5M)
BRONZE – Paramount Spirit by Casper Chia (5W)& Highway To Dreams by Crystal Koo (3W)
Best Lyrics
GOLD – Highway To Dreams by Crystal Koo (3W)
SILVER – Time To Shine by Fam Shen Deng (5M)
BRONZE – Friends As One by Geoffrey Yong (5M)
Best Music Arrangement
GOLD – Paramount Spirit by Casper Chia (5W)
SILVER – Time To Shine by Fam Shen Deng (5M)
BRONZE – It’s Time by Muhd. Danish Leow (5W)
Music, lyrics and arranged by Fam Shen Deng
2. Paramount Spirit by Gary Tee – 5 Wordsworth (66.8%)
Music, lyrics and arranged by Casper Chia
3. Friends As One by Nur Athirah Baran, Fam Kai Cong, Rachel Ng and Victor Yip – 5 Mozart (66.3%)
Music, lyrics and arranged by Geoffrey Yong
Best Composition
GOLD – Friends As One by Geoffrey Yong (5M)
SILVER – Time To Shine by Fam Shen Deng (5M)
BRONZE – Paramount Spirit by Casper Chia (5W)& Highway To Dreams by Crystal Koo (3W)
Best Lyrics
GOLD – Highway To Dreams by Crystal Koo (3W)
SILVER – Time To Shine by Fam Shen Deng (5M)
BRONZE – Friends As One by Geoffrey Yong (5M)
Best Music Arrangement
GOLD – Paramount Spirit by Casper Chia (5W)
SILVER – Time To Shine by Fam Shen Deng (5M)
BRONZE – It’s Time by Muhd. Danish Leow (5W)
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, songwriting composition
4:33 PM
1. 4 Columbus (78.2%)
2. 5 Jenner (77.9%)
3. 5 Mozart (73.1%)
4. 5 Newton (73.0%)
5. 4 Aristotle (72.3%)
5. 4 Mozart (72.3%)
Honestly, it wasn’t easy at all to shortlist the 6 finalists this year especially after the very outstanding performance during the prelims a month ago. I think we all agree that the prelims was a lot better than this long-awaited semi-finals. We, the judges, were basically ‘arguing’ and discussing straight after each performance to exchange remarks and comments regarding each of the dances. Even after the competition has finished, we deliberately went through and thrashed out every single detail of your performance so that we only allow the qualified team who meet the requirements to enter the finals. The questions below came up during the debate among the judges….
1. 4 Columbus (78.2%)
Are they really better than our defending champion, 5J?
They have only one potential dancer, i.e. Geoffrey, and the rest are all mediocres. So, are they really qualified?
Idea wise, 4C might not be as creative as 5J or 4A, but definitely they were able to execute the dance theme that they set out. A simple theme about how some men worked hectically under a lot of stress to finish the heavy workload despites meeting ridiculous deadlines. They showed how they cannot handle the stress and finally choose to just let it out in a series of dance routines. The judges found that this dance is more complete than the rest and the energy was good. They didn’t make a lot of mistakes either.
Nominee for Best Dancer Award: Geoffrey
2. 5 Jenner (77.9%)
They made quite a number of mistakes, albeit small ones and some even non-noticeable. The judges expected a better performance than the previous one.
They have 3 beauties and 2 geeks and one blur case!
Undoubtedly, 5J is one of the most creative contenders this year regarding their performance (please keep it up, and I mean you should seriously think about improving your idea so that you can secure yourselves with the Best Creativity Award this year. Remember, your close competitors would be 4E skit and some upcoming short films). Please also improve on how you execute the dance routines and train all your dancers so that none of them would pull down the average mark of your team. Costume theme was not cleverly coordinated although the paired couples wasn’t a bad idea.
Nominees for Best Dancer Award: Nasri, Nicole, Nur Azalea
3. 5 Mozart (73.1%)
The dance theme was weak and vague.
They have good ideas but poor execution.
When you are practising your dance routine in the future, you should get a person, e.g. the choreographer or any one from your class, to observe whether the entire ensemble is synchronized and well coordinated or not. From the floor, we saw 8 solo dancers performing on stage, So You Think You Can Dance finalists? They not only shared a different expression, they also failed to communicate with each other due to the overwhelming stimulation by the sudden rise in adrenaline level. I have told you that you have great potential to excel if you don’t do last minute practice. Get all your steps down in 3 days and then spend another one week or so fine tuning it! Spend more time with the non-dancers in your team.
4. 5 Newton (73.0%)
They were not dancing but more like acting!
The dance theme was too common and was not properly thought about.
You have a good dancer in your team but he has to work on interacting with the audience. You have a charming dancer (or actor) in your team but he has to work on improving his dance skills. You have to train the others earnestly if you want to win a medal in the finals as you cannot depend on one or two dancers to support the team. Your costume theme was weak and I never thought that uptown girls are actually pasar malam ah moi! Remember, you are dancing at a dance competition, not dancing in a musical.
Nominee for Best Dancer Award: Arya
5. 4 Aristotle (72.3%)
There were not much dancing observed as they were just moving about.
A fantastic and creative dance theme but poor execution.
Basically, your team lacks good dancers. Please take note of the difference between a dancer and a ‘mover’. Although everyone was highly motivated, enthusiastic and committed, you have to think about training each of your team members to at least reach the level of becoming an amateur dancer or you will just be another team during the finals. Although you didn’t need a specific dance costume for the theme, you should at least choose a more dazzling outfit in your wardrobe for the sake of the competition. Despites all the negative comments, I must say that all of you were in characters and that’s something to be complimented.
5. 4 Mozart (72.3%)
The lead dancers should not walk during a dance performance, even if they have to, they should walk in a rhythmic way.
There was this issue of copying steps from the YOUTUBE, but was that really a big problem?
Your plus point was that you managed to convey your story through the dance moves better than the other teams. But I think you have a lot to improve on the dance execution by the dancers, especially the leads. What was the ensemble doing when the male lead was trying his best to persuade his lover? Were they having the right expression, both physically and emotionally? Did every dancer know the motives behind those moves? If not, I think it’s worth spending a session discussing this matter to make it clear to everyone, just like how actors do table reading before they begin their first acting rehearsal.
2. 5 Jenner (77.9%)
3. 5 Mozart (73.1%)
4. 5 Newton (73.0%)
5. 4 Aristotle (72.3%)
5. 4 Mozart (72.3%)
Honestly, it wasn’t easy at all to shortlist the 6 finalists this year especially after the very outstanding performance during the prelims a month ago. I think we all agree that the prelims was a lot better than this long-awaited semi-finals. We, the judges, were basically ‘arguing’ and discussing straight after each performance to exchange remarks and comments regarding each of the dances. Even after the competition has finished, we deliberately went through and thrashed out every single detail of your performance so that we only allow the qualified team who meet the requirements to enter the finals. The questions below came up during the debate among the judges….
1. 4 Columbus (78.2%)
Are they really better than our defending champion, 5J?
They have only one potential dancer, i.e. Geoffrey, and the rest are all mediocres. So, are they really qualified?
Idea wise, 4C might not be as creative as 5J or 4A, but definitely they were able to execute the dance theme that they set out. A simple theme about how some men worked hectically under a lot of stress to finish the heavy workload despites meeting ridiculous deadlines. They showed how they cannot handle the stress and finally choose to just let it out in a series of dance routines. The judges found that this dance is more complete than the rest and the energy was good. They didn’t make a lot of mistakes either.
Nominee for Best Dancer Award: Geoffrey
2. 5 Jenner (77.9%)
They made quite a number of mistakes, albeit small ones and some even non-noticeable. The judges expected a better performance than the previous one.
They have 3 beauties and 2 geeks and one blur case!
Undoubtedly, 5J is one of the most creative contenders this year regarding their performance (please keep it up, and I mean you should seriously think about improving your idea so that you can secure yourselves with the Best Creativity Award this year. Remember, your close competitors would be 4E skit and some upcoming short films). Please also improve on how you execute the dance routines and train all your dancers so that none of them would pull down the average mark of your team. Costume theme was not cleverly coordinated although the paired couples wasn’t a bad idea.
Nominees for Best Dancer Award: Nasri, Nicole, Nur Azalea
3. 5 Mozart (73.1%)
The dance theme was weak and vague.
They have good ideas but poor execution.
When you are practising your dance routine in the future, you should get a person, e.g. the choreographer or any one from your class, to observe whether the entire ensemble is synchronized and well coordinated or not. From the floor, we saw 8 solo dancers performing on stage, So You Think You Can Dance finalists? They not only shared a different expression, they also failed to communicate with each other due to the overwhelming stimulation by the sudden rise in adrenaline level. I have told you that you have great potential to excel if you don’t do last minute practice. Get all your steps down in 3 days and then spend another one week or so fine tuning it! Spend more time with the non-dancers in your team.
4. 5 Newton (73.0%)
They were not dancing but more like acting!
The dance theme was too common and was not properly thought about.
You have a good dancer in your team but he has to work on interacting with the audience. You have a charming dancer (or actor) in your team but he has to work on improving his dance skills. You have to train the others earnestly if you want to win a medal in the finals as you cannot depend on one or two dancers to support the team. Your costume theme was weak and I never thought that uptown girls are actually pasar malam ah moi! Remember, you are dancing at a dance competition, not dancing in a musical.
Nominee for Best Dancer Award: Arya
5. 4 Aristotle (72.3%)
There were not much dancing observed as they were just moving about.
A fantastic and creative dance theme but poor execution.
Basically, your team lacks good dancers. Please take note of the difference between a dancer and a ‘mover’. Although everyone was highly motivated, enthusiastic and committed, you have to think about training each of your team members to at least reach the level of becoming an amateur dancer or you will just be another team during the finals. Although you didn’t need a specific dance costume for the theme, you should at least choose a more dazzling outfit in your wardrobe for the sake of the competition. Despites all the negative comments, I must say that all of you were in characters and that’s something to be complimented.
5. 4 Mozart (72.3%)
The lead dancers should not walk during a dance performance, even if they have to, they should walk in a rhythmic way.
There was this issue of copying steps from the YOUTUBE, but was that really a big problem?
Your plus point was that you managed to convey your story through the dance moves better than the other teams. But I think you have a lot to improve on the dance execution by the dancers, especially the leads. What was the ensemble doing when the male lead was trying his best to persuade his lover? Were they having the right expression, both physically and emotionally? Did every dancer know the motives behind those moves? If not, I think it’s worth spending a session discussing this matter to make it clear to everyone, just like how actors do table reading before they begin their first acting rehearsal.
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, Modern Dancing
3:41 PM
Saturday, May 8, 2010
1. 5 Columbus (73.8%)
2. 4 Edison (71.4%)
3. 5 Aristotle (70.0%)
4. 5 Dickens (67.8%) - Gan Ming Yao
5. 5 Mozart (67.2%)
5. 5 Dickens (67.2%) - Razlan
Congratulations to all the finalists!
As you would have noticed, the marks were very close and thus, anything could happen during the finals. I won't expect any of the teams to practise your song during the exam period but at least you spend some time during the holidays getting the following done:
1) Coordinating your costume to match your theme.
(Most of the bands yesterday were not properly dressed up. Like I always say, please don't come on stage after the pasar malam session. If you think you were good, very good, but still you didn't get through, that would most probably be the reason)
2) Think careful whether your vocalist can carry the song that you choose for the finals or not. We all like to think that the drummer is the band leader and the bass is the great support. Therefore, we always focus on the drummer, etc. However, your vocalist is the one person who directly engages the audience during a live performance. Therefore, a vocalist who sing out of pitch is definitely a bad impression no matter how great all your musicians are. You won't want to pay to watch a band with a tone-deaf vocalist singing, would you? Discuss among your band members truthfully and tactfully (which I lack) to decide on the best candidate to sing for your band! Another reminder is that since the weighting for vocals is very high (25%), you may want to get a singer who can sing for a band, I mean someone who got into the finals for solo singing might find it difficult to convince the audience in a band performance.
3) Jam, jam and more jamming....you need to play as a team. This is called communication! Listen to each other during the performance as many of you are lacking in this skill. We all like others to listen to us, but we have never tried to listen to others. Remember, performing on stage is a mutual interaction, either between the performer and the audience, or the performer and his musicians, etc.
4) Last but not least, control your energy on stage, especially when you are fed with lots of energy from the audience. The audience can go crazy (that's your intention to put up a performance), but you cannot join them as you are still performing. Their job is to enjoy the music but yours is to put up a good performance. Please take note of this to prevent the shiok-sendiri syndrome.
May be most prepared team win!
p/s: Faris, good job! You totally blew us to the top! Keep it up!
2. 4 Edison (71.4%)
3. 5 Aristotle (70.0%)
4. 5 Dickens (67.8%) - Gan Ming Yao
5. 5 Mozart (67.2%)
5. 5 Dickens (67.2%) - Razlan
Congratulations to all the finalists!
As you would have noticed, the marks were very close and thus, anything could happen during the finals. I won't expect any of the teams to practise your song during the exam period but at least you spend some time during the holidays getting the following done:
1) Coordinating your costume to match your theme.
(Most of the bands yesterday were not properly dressed up. Like I always say, please don't come on stage after the pasar malam session. If you think you were good, very good, but still you didn't get through, that would most probably be the reason)
2) Think careful whether your vocalist can carry the song that you choose for the finals or not. We all like to think that the drummer is the band leader and the bass is the great support. Therefore, we always focus on the drummer, etc. However, your vocalist is the one person who directly engages the audience during a live performance. Therefore, a vocalist who sing out of pitch is definitely a bad impression no matter how great all your musicians are. You won't want to pay to watch a band with a tone-deaf vocalist singing, would you? Discuss among your band members truthfully and tactfully (which I lack) to decide on the best candidate to sing for your band! Another reminder is that since the weighting for vocals is very high (25%), you may want to get a singer who can sing for a band, I mean someone who got into the finals for solo singing might find it difficult to convince the audience in a band performance.
3) Jam, jam and more jamming....you need to play as a team. This is called communication! Listen to each other during the performance as many of you are lacking in this skill. We all like others to listen to us, but we have never tried to listen to others. Remember, performing on stage is a mutual interaction, either between the performer and the audience, or the performer and his musicians, etc.
4) Last but not least, control your energy on stage, especially when you are fed with lots of energy from the audience. The audience can go crazy (that's your intention to put up a performance), but you cannot join them as you are still performing. Their job is to enjoy the music but yours is to put up a good performance. Please take note of this to prevent the shiok-sendiri syndrome.
May be most prepared team win!
p/s: Faris, good job! You totally blew us to the top! Keep it up!
Labels: band competition, by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B
10:23 AM
1. 3 Newton - 82.5%
2. 3 Wordsworth - 70.6%
3. 3 Edison - 58.1%
4. 2 Newton - 57.8%
5. 3 Galileo - 57.2%
2. 3 Wordsworth - 70.6%
3. 3 Edison - 58.1%
4. 2 Newton - 57.8%
5. 3 Galileo - 57.2%
1:10 AM
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
GOLD - 4 Edison
SILVER - 4 Wordsworth
BRONZE - 4 Dickens
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, debate
5:19 PM
本年度华语辩论比赛金牌得主，4E的辩论员们。
正方辩论员们精彩的答辩为4A又赢了一面银牌。GOLD - 4 Edison
SILVER - 4 Aristole
BRONZE - 5 Mozart
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, Mandarin Debate
4:58 PM
4:49 PM
Category A
1. Amanda Choy Mei Kwan & Klara Ho Wen Li (2A) - 82.0%
2. Tan Ying Xi & Lim Jodi (3G) - 80.7%
3. Eunice Yeow Eu Ning & Tey Sze Yee (2C) - 70.0%
4. Bryan Quah & Muhamad Syazwan Mohd Zaid (3G) -69.0%
5. Stephanie Teh & Sharon Sheah Sue-Lyn (2N) - 68.8%
Category B
1. Lem Wye Pun & Loo Yik Herr (4E) - 88.7%
2. Syed Izmal & Casper Chia Kye Chuen (5W) - 86.7%
3. Michelle Lum Sze Ming & Celeste Yau Ke Ning (4E) - 84.3%
2. Syed Izmal & Casper Chia Kye Chuen (5W) - 86.7%
3. Michelle Lum Sze Ming & Celeste Yau Ke Ning (4E) - 84.3%
4. Gwyneth Tai Lin Xiang & Tiew Kai Hao (4A) - 76.3%
5. Muhammad Azrael Mohd Yusof & Haris Asri (5C) - 72.7%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, Duet Instrument
3:52 PM
3:11 PM
2:46 PM
Category A
GOLD - Fam Hui Ying (2M) - 87.0%
GOLD - Tengku Sara Tengku Mohd Rizal (3C) - 87.0%
BRONZE - Tan Qian Ying (3D) - 82.6%
Category B
GOLD - Praktik Raghu (IB) - 93.6%
SILVER - Nur Alia Abu Bakar (4A) - 90.4%
BRONZE - Kristina Teow Sue Zheng (5M) - 88.0%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, Public Speaking, winners
2:42 PM
Gold medal goes to Secondary 4 Edison with their musical version of Let's Go Mamak.
Secondary 5 Mozart is this year's silver medalist. Two of their actors, Nur Athirah Baran and
Fam Shen Deng, are nominated for Best
Supporting Role Award.
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, Skit competition
2:33 PM
2:29 PM
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Gold - 4E (83.0%)
Silver - 5M (73.0%)
Bronze - 5J (67.0%)
Please also join me in congratulating Nur Athirah Baran, Fam Shen Deng and Nadzirah Abdul Rahman for their nominations for the Best Supporting Role.
Silver - 5M (73.0%)
Bronze - 5J (67.0%)
Please also join me in congratulating Nur Athirah Baran, Fam Shen Deng and Nadzirah Abdul Rahman for their nominations for the Best Supporting Role.
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, Skit competition
5:53 PM
1. Yeo Pei Jia & Giselle Chia Kye Yi (4E) – 89.0%
2. Christine Tan Yong Sze & Nicole Tan Jie Hwei (5A) – 84.7%
3. Tan Ann Gee & Chia Ying Ying (5C) – 83.3%
4. Tai Lin Xiang & Kaihui Felicia (4A) – 82.0%
4. Toh Yin Li & Victor Yip Xiu-Hong (5M) – 82.0%
6. Eleena Rashidah Khalid & Noor Saadiah Husrin (5D) – 81.7%
7. Farah Melissa Ahmad Fauzah & Chen Ka Mun (5W) – 81.3%
8. Manveen Kaur Kaalsay & Yasmin Mohd Fareed (4W) – 80.0%
9. Vanessa Teo Leng Yin & Shum Mun Yee (5A) – 79.7%
10. Lim Siew Bee & Chooi Pai Her (4C) – 79.0%
10. Chia Chien Teng & Celine Thai Hung Yann (4D) – 79.0%
12. Chan Kai Hui & Alfred Tan Seng Kong (5E) – 78.3%
2. Christine Tan Yong Sze & Nicole Tan Jie Hwei (5A) – 84.7%
3. Tan Ann Gee & Chia Ying Ying (5C) – 83.3%
4. Tai Lin Xiang & Kaihui Felicia (4A) – 82.0%
4. Toh Yin Li & Victor Yip Xiu-Hong (5M) – 82.0%
6. Eleena Rashidah Khalid & Noor Saadiah Husrin (5D) – 81.7%
7. Farah Melissa Ahmad Fauzah & Chen Ka Mun (5W) – 81.3%
8. Manveen Kaur Kaalsay & Yasmin Mohd Fareed (4W) – 80.0%
9. Vanessa Teo Leng Yin & Shum Mun Yee (5A) – 79.7%
10. Lim Siew Bee & Chooi Pai Her (4C) – 79.0%
10. Chia Chien Teng & Celine Thai Hung Yann (4D) – 79.0%
12. Chan Kai Hui & Alfred Tan Seng Kong (5E) – 78.3%
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, category B, Culinary Competition
3:53 PM
Secondary 4 Edison never fails to impress the judges since their skit last year. This year, they managed to come up with a plot that was both creative and interesting to watch. I like how they incorporated singing and dancing into the script and how they used singing to replace the narration to explain the story. Besides the creative aspects, 4E also have a good team who managed to support the cast during the competition. The actors were well coordinated, blocking was well planned and I must compliment on how focused they were during the entire skit. What was good is that although they were hilarious at some scenes, because they believed in what they did and didn’t see it as an embarrassment, this made their skit comical and the audience was able to connect to it. Tan Ian and Collin Looh’s acting was astonishing with improvement from last year. I was impressed by how Ian’s character but it would be great if he could sustain it till the end. The ensemble was outstanding in the singing scenes as well as most of the speaking scenes. To improve, you should try to articulate your speech and make it clear for the audience to hear. As I was observing their acting, I caught the actors checking as if we were watching them closely or not. After all, this is one skit that I won’t mind watching again!
Labels: 4 Edison, by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, Skit competition
3:49 PM
8:50 AM
8:47 AM
Monday, May 3, 2010
1 Yong Zheng Xi (4C) – 是否
一个很有自信的表演，无论是在唱功或者是在处理歌曲的表达方面，都很值得鼓励！衣着鲜明，形象突出，让评审觉得你有大将之风，是胜出的一个重要元素。每一方面都很好，唯一要加强的是你的咬字，眨耳听，好像是在听ABC在唱歌。《是否》是一首很适合参加比赛的歌曲，你的演绎不会让人觉得你是在唱一首经典歌曲，希望你在下一轮会有更出色的表演。记住，来者不善，你是否能在下回合保住宝座，就要看你的造化了。加油！
2 Teh Xin Er (4A) – 外婆的澎湖湾
你的声线很适合这首歌曲。听着、听着，有如带我回到学生时代一大伙哥儿们到海边去BBQ那样，这是你的演绎让我看到的画面。唯一可以加强的地方是你可以多试着处理舞台的空间，让观众不但在听你的演绎之余，也可以在视觉上欣赏你的演出。你也要在处理情感方面下功夫，把内心的感觉表达出来，让观众理解歌曲的意境和你对歌曲的解说。再接再厉！
3 Yvonne Lim Xin Yee (5C) – 我的心里只有你
我很喜欢你在前奏时的演出，把一些类似samba的舞步加插进去，给人眼前一亮的感觉。你的唱功明显地有进步，在眼神交流和面部表情方面也下了苦功，很好！一些节奏轻快的歌曲或舞曲，应该会很适合你，但千万不要把你的歌路给局限了，下一回合，要好好的选，选一首可以让你发挥的歌曲，无论是慢歌或快歌，只要能打进五强的，就是好歌。继续唱好歌！
4 Loh Sai Kiat (5R) – 寂寞的眼
你的演绎让我重新认识《寂寞的眼》这首曲子，忧伤中带点呐喊的声线，令我们听起来很陶醉，尤其是当把眼睛闭上。但很可惜的是，你没有很了解歌唱比赛所注重的不只是声音的呈献，而是整个歌手的演绎，这包括外在的形象、脸部的表情、身体肢体语言、和观众的眼神交流，但你完全忽略了。所以我个人并没有给你非常高的分数。希望你下次会有所改进，因为机会不会常常出现。
5 Joyce Yap Weng Yan (5J) – 但愿人长久
又是一位在五年里第一次参赛就打入前五名的另一个例子，和之前的那位男生一样，你们一定要加强和观众的交流，因为评审们第一次听你唱歌，可以被你的歌声感动，下一次你就得拿出其他的看家本领来征服评审了。在选歌方面，请你也要留意，不要选一首你喜欢或者你觉得很好听的歌曲，而是该选一首你可以应付而又适合你声线的歌，这样才不会事倍功半，这样才不会辜负上天赐给你的好声音！
6 Jocelyn Ho Khai Eun (4D) – 恰似你的温柔
你的技巧有明显的进步，但在控制声音方面还要加强，因为你不时会在拉音时让观众觉得你有点紧张，当你可以随意控制你的呼吸时，这一切也不成问题了。我觉得你可以尝试一些更轻快一点的曲风，不要只选那些忧伤或需要很大唱功的歌曲，试一试如《城里的月光》、《我的骄傲》、《BAD BOY》等带一点正面的曲子。有了足够的外在条件，接下来就要往内功下功夫了。
7 Shanon Au Yong Wen Yi (5D) – 梦醒时分
你有一把很宏亮的声音，当唱到副歌的部分时，声音的伸展度会让观众听起来很有共鸣，声音的感染力也为你带来不少加分。切记，想要在下一回合更上一层楼，你务必要在控制声音和节奏感上加油，也要在衣着上打扮打扮一下。加油啰！
8 Tan Ian (4E) – 明日天涯
Hmmm….说真的，你的演绎方法真的需要改进和加强，在台上演唱时，不可以好像在演戏时脸部和动作的夸张，是太夸张了！不要觉得把声音唱得很大声就表示是唱得好，你很幸运的是《明日天涯》需要这样的铺陈，而你的夸张也让你把歌曲中的含义表达出来，希望你下次会加强在音准、节奏和歌曲表达方面，减少夸张，恰到好处就很好了。
8 Loo Yik Herr (4E) – 你怎么舍得我难过
你的外形、音色和节奏感都是你的强项。而你需要加强的是和观众的互动，让你所唱的可以让观众得到共鸣而感动。你的咬字也不是很标准，不要以为把口张开就可以唱的一口标准的华语，咬字是否正确和嘴唇的形状和舌头的摆动都很有关系，我发觉你的问题是在你不把字完全‘咬’下去，咬了一半就赶紧唱下一个字，让人听起来整个句子几乎都很模糊。希望你赶紧选一首适合自己的歌，然后赶紧的把咬字练好，应付下一场的比赛。
10 Andy Yap Yi Jian (5R) – 我是真的付出我的爱
选对了歌，衣着和外形都很讨好，和观众的互动也不错，是一位有潜质的新秀。我的建议是你要不断加强训练你的音准和咬字，请参考以上我对咬字的见解，不要让这一点小差错而影响到整体歌曲呈献的分数，华人就应该把华语学好，不要让人笑爆肚子。
11 Kuan Kang Seng (5W) – 梦醒时分
老实说，你是不应该选一首女歌手的歌来唱的，因为歌曲的编排、音调和音域的适合度都会跟男生很不同，你唱起来觉得没有难题是正常的，相同的，女生唱男生的歌也会很容易，但就是会不适合。以你的声音和外形要在下一场比赛胜出应该不会是很大的问题，如果你可以加强在咬字方面、脸部的表情、身体肢体语言、和观众的眼神交流、以及在穿着上下一点心机，问题应该不大。
12 Yap Zi Qian (4E) – 我是不是你最疼爱的人
有一把好声音是不够的，想要挤进五强，请你也要和以上的那位男生一样加强在咬字方面、脸部表情、身体肢体语言、和观众的眼神交流，以及选一件适合自己歌曲的服装，打扮打扮一下，揣摸一下歌词的意境，这样肯定会为你的演出加分。
一个很有自信的表演，无论是在唱功或者是在处理歌曲的表达方面，都很值得鼓励！衣着鲜明，形象突出，让评审觉得你有大将之风，是胜出的一个重要元素。每一方面都很好，唯一要加强的是你的咬字，眨耳听，好像是在听ABC在唱歌。《是否》是一首很适合参加比赛的歌曲，你的演绎不会让人觉得你是在唱一首经典歌曲，希望你在下一轮会有更出色的表演。记住，来者不善，你是否能在下回合保住宝座，就要看你的造化了。加油！
2 Teh Xin Er (4A) – 外婆的澎湖湾
你的声线很适合这首歌曲。听着、听着，有如带我回到学生时代一大伙哥儿们到海边去BBQ那样，这是你的演绎让我看到的画面。唯一可以加强的地方是你可以多试着处理舞台的空间，让观众不但在听你的演绎之余，也可以在视觉上欣赏你的演出。你也要在处理情感方面下功夫，把内心的感觉表达出来，让观众理解歌曲的意境和你对歌曲的解说。再接再厉！
3 Yvonne Lim Xin Yee (5C) – 我的心里只有你
我很喜欢你在前奏时的演出，把一些类似samba的舞步加插进去，给人眼前一亮的感觉。你的唱功明显地有进步，在眼神交流和面部表情方面也下了苦功，很好！一些节奏轻快的歌曲或舞曲，应该会很适合你，但千万不要把你的歌路给局限了，下一回合，要好好的选，选一首可以让你发挥的歌曲，无论是慢歌或快歌，只要能打进五强的，就是好歌。继续唱好歌！
4 Loh Sai Kiat (5R) – 寂寞的眼
你的演绎让我重新认识《寂寞的眼》这首曲子，忧伤中带点呐喊的声线，令我们听起来很陶醉，尤其是当把眼睛闭上。但很可惜的是，你没有很了解歌唱比赛所注重的不只是声音的呈献，而是整个歌手的演绎，这包括外在的形象、脸部的表情、身体肢体语言、和观众的眼神交流，但你完全忽略了。所以我个人并没有给你非常高的分数。希望你下次会有所改进，因为机会不会常常出现。
5 Joyce Yap Weng Yan (5J) – 但愿人长久
又是一位在五年里第一次参赛就打入前五名的另一个例子，和之前的那位男生一样，你们一定要加强和观众的交流，因为评审们第一次听你唱歌，可以被你的歌声感动，下一次你就得拿出其他的看家本领来征服评审了。在选歌方面，请你也要留意，不要选一首你喜欢或者你觉得很好听的歌曲，而是该选一首你可以应付而又适合你声线的歌，这样才不会事倍功半，这样才不会辜负上天赐给你的好声音！
6 Jocelyn Ho Khai Eun (4D) – 恰似你的温柔
你的技巧有明显的进步，但在控制声音方面还要加强，因为你不时会在拉音时让观众觉得你有点紧张，当你可以随意控制你的呼吸时，这一切也不成问题了。我觉得你可以尝试一些更轻快一点的曲风，不要只选那些忧伤或需要很大唱功的歌曲，试一试如《城里的月光》、《我的骄傲》、《BAD BOY》等带一点正面的曲子。有了足够的外在条件，接下来就要往内功下功夫了。
7 Shanon Au Yong Wen Yi (5D) – 梦醒时分
你有一把很宏亮的声音，当唱到副歌的部分时，声音的伸展度会让观众听起来很有共鸣，声音的感染力也为你带来不少加分。切记，想要在下一回合更上一层楼，你务必要在控制声音和节奏感上加油，也要在衣着上打扮打扮一下。加油啰！
8 Tan Ian (4E) – 明日天涯
Hmmm….说真的，你的演绎方法真的需要改进和加强，在台上演唱时，不可以好像在演戏时脸部和动作的夸张，是太夸张了！不要觉得把声音唱得很大声就表示是唱得好，你很幸运的是《明日天涯》需要这样的铺陈，而你的夸张也让你把歌曲中的含义表达出来，希望你下次会加强在音准、节奏和歌曲表达方面，减少夸张，恰到好处就很好了。
8 Loo Yik Herr (4E) – 你怎么舍得我难过
你的外形、音色和节奏感都是你的强项。而你需要加强的是和观众的互动，让你所唱的可以让观众得到共鸣而感动。你的咬字也不是很标准，不要以为把口张开就可以唱的一口标准的华语，咬字是否正确和嘴唇的形状和舌头的摆动都很有关系，我发觉你的问题是在你不把字完全‘咬’下去，咬了一半就赶紧唱下一个字，让人听起来整个句子几乎都很模糊。希望你赶紧选一首适合自己的歌，然后赶紧的把咬字练好，应付下一场的比赛。
10 Andy Yap Yi Jian (5R) – 我是真的付出我的爱
选对了歌，衣着和外形都很讨好，和观众的互动也不错，是一位有潜质的新秀。我的建议是你要不断加强训练你的音准和咬字，请参考以上我对咬字的见解，不要让这一点小差错而影响到整体歌曲呈献的分数，华人就应该把华语学好，不要让人笑爆肚子。
11 Kuan Kang Seng (5W) – 梦醒时分
老实说，你是不应该选一首女歌手的歌来唱的，因为歌曲的编排、音调和音域的适合度都会跟男生很不同，你唱起来觉得没有难题是正常的，相同的，女生唱男生的歌也会很容易，但就是会不适合。以你的声音和外形要在下一场比赛胜出应该不会是很大的问题，如果你可以加强在咬字方面、脸部的表情、身体肢体语言、和观众的眼神交流、以及在穿着上下一点心机，问题应该不大。
12 Yap Zi Qian (4E) – 我是不是你最疼爱的人
有一把好声音是不够的，想要挤进五强，请你也要和以上的那位男生一样加强在咬字方面、脸部表情、身体肢体语言、和观众的眼神交流，以及选一件适合自己歌曲的服装，打扮打扮一下，揣摸一下歌词的意境，这样肯定会为你的演出加分。
Labels: by Zachary Wong Ket Lud, Mandarin Solo Singing
10:36 AM
Saturday, May 1, 2010
This is generally what I saw in many of the performances this afternoon....and this is also one of the many factors why some of you didn't perform to your best today...it was disappointing to judge the competition today!
As both the judge as well as the organiser, I always want to see my students give their best when it comes to doing something that they really love to do - SINGING. I am sure you have 1001 excuses to convince me that your poor performance today was due to 1, 2, 3......but first, we have extended the competition due to H1N1, which would allow all of you ample time to prepare for a better performance, instead, it was disappointing...second, many of you are still not very aware of the judging criteria, e.g. wearing inappropriate costume for the song you were doing. Thirdly, when you are on stage, there should only be one thing on your mind, and that - You will give your best to the audience no matter what...
Like I always say - The competition is for those who are ready!
Let me start off with the English Solo Singing (B) as this is one group that I would like to groom due to the tremendous potential that they possess. For Category A, I see it as they are gaining experience to perform of stage and by the time they reach Secondary 4, that's the time for them to shine!
Judging Criteria:
A) Costume & Appearance 10%
B) Pitching & Rhythm 30%
C) Voice Tone & Expression 25%
D) Showmanship 25%
E) Diction 10%
1. Nur Athirah Baran (A) 8 (B) 26 (C) 21 (D) 22 (E) 8 = 85%
I was so afraid that she would stop in the middle and tell us: that's all! Good girl, you finished it.
You will never know what is ahead of you until you try your best. And you deserve it. There is not much problems in your performance today except that you should start training your stamina for the next round especially when you always choose to sing a hard song. The song was a good choice, and you have won half of the battle. What you wore was appropriate for the song and that was another clever move. To improve on pitching (B) and expression (C), you need strong diaphragm muscles to support your breathing, especially when you always move about from the start to the end of the song. I was so worried that you would faint due to short of breath! Showmanship was good except that you like to smile a little before your change your facial expression. And to me, it wasn't natural....that you were not singing from your heart. My advice therefore is that, please feel the song, feel the lyrics, think of a person in your mind and dedicate the song to the person!
2. Eleena Rashidah Khalid (A) 5 (B) 26 (C) 21 (D) 21 (E) 7 = 80%
It was again another good performance and you managed to hold on to your previous ranking. I love Saving All My Love For You and I thought it was really a difficult song to sing in a competition. You are very daring and brave, as usual. And I like that you tried not to strain your voice too much this time, you only did it when it was necessary, so congratulations! You may want to start training your stamina just like what I want Athirah to do. You were almost out of breath just then. I was so worried. However, as it was a very sensual and heart-core song, you need to internalise the lyrics of the song more. What I saw was a girl who constantly touching herself to show that she was enjoying the song...but was that really what the song means? It was too shallow. Your costume was ugly. The shoes were ugly. Luckily you are pretty. The showmanship was good but I always wonder why you look so tired (spiritless) these days...well, since last year I guess. Pardon me if I say that you looked like as though you were on drugs, of course not I know that. My only advice is that work a little on making yourself look good in the next round.
3. Yong Zheng Xi (A) 7 (B) 27 (C) 22 (D) 22 (E) 7 = 85%
It was my favourite performance this afternoon not because he was very outstanding but he didn't make as much mistakes as the other two pretty girls did. It was a simpler song to handle and he did it just nice, not too little, not too much. I like the outfit that he wore today. It was bright and it went well with his complexion. It was brilliant that you gel your hair a bit, and thus presence was very strong today. However, as you were appearing in many other events on the same day, I would suggest that you change into another baju next time to give the judges a new impression. Your voice sounded rough on stage probably because of the mics today, and I have to apologise for that. You always know what to do on stage, so that is not a big problem. (May I just express my comment on your Mandarin Solo Song here as I liked the way you execute that song....it was well done! I gave you a 89%). However, you have to be careful with how you control your expression/emotions when you are singing the song. The transition between the verses must be smooth. Your flow of emotions are always interrupted and that will affect your overall performance as you didn't sound sincere singing the song to us. My advice to you is that control your emotions and voices so that the entire song doesn't sound like it was chopped into fragments.
4. Fam Shen Deng (A) 6 (B) 24 (C) 20 (D) 20 (E) 7 = 77%
Besides the top 3, Shen Deng was most probably the last solo singer who did well today. As you noticed, his didn't score extra-ordinarily high is any aspects. What was good about him was that he was very average in all aspects and he enjoyed what he did on stage. He was not only sincere but was giving me that "I Don't Give A Dxxx" attitude as I didn't get to lock with his eyes even once! Yes, he was avoiding me...very good....It doesn't really matter whether you were looking at the judges or not, but what is more important is that you must enjoy what you are doing on stage. As everyone is annoyed by the shiok sendiri syndrome, so please don't ever try that. Obviously, you didn't do too much of the "sss" and "ttt" this afternoon, and I like your tone. As you are not as experienced as the other top three singers, my advice to you is that you start watching more YOUTUBE clips from now on, focusing on how those good singers perform on stage. Hopefully, in that short period of time, you could absorb as much experience of others as you can to make them yours!
5. Fam Kai Cong (A) 7 (B) 23 (C) 19 (D) 19 (E) 7 = 75%
Wrong choice of song! Straight Up was definitely not an appropriate song for you to sing especially with guitar accompaniment. First, you must be very familiar with the song for your friend to play for you. Have you ever thought of what if your friend played a wrong chord, and how would that affect your singing? I never like contestants to have live music accompaniment as to date, I still haven't found anyone who could play well and sing well at the same time as good as Nik Irfan. You can't force it as it comes natural in you, and it's very rare I must say! Many Malay students tried to be the second Nik Irfan who defeated all the Chinese singers clinching the gold medal in Solo Mandarin Singing, but I must say that none of you, yet, were as talented and as dedicated (you must have both) as Nik Irfan. Pardon me if I have diverted a bit, but I want to stress one point and that is next time get a minus-one instead! This is my advice to you. You could improve on (C) and (D) if you are more confident with your song and in what you are doing on stage.
6. Yasmin Mohd Fareed (A) 7 (B) 23 (C) 19 (D) 17 (E) 8 = 74%
It was a good song to sing in a competition. Like what I mentioned earlier, you have won half of the battle. This shows how important is choosing the right song to sing is! You didn't make a lot of mistakes as the song requires one to sing it in an imaginative way as though you were in a fantasy land. Your voice suits the song. You could improve on your showmanship by interacting more with the audience. You were lucky to get into the top 6 as the others were really bad today! I don't have much to comment about you because I didn't get to feel what you were feeling on stage. I didn't understand what you were going through during the performance although I tried to feel your emotions when you were singing. So, my advice is, open up yourself when you sing if you want to touch your audience's heart!
7. Andrew Seow (A) 3 (B) 26 (C) 20 (D) 18 (E) 7 = 74%
You must admit that your performance today was not as good as the last time. First, your outfit was very bad. Did you just go to the pasar malam before coming to school? I don't think you showed respect to the occasion. That's why I always emphasise of no slipper/sandals to be worn on stage. I won't respect someome who sing with their sandals on on stage. This is a proper competition, we must respect the rules. You should thank your parents for giving you such a good voice and tone. They saved you this round! With you moving around your friend who were playing for you, it wasn't good showmanship at all, instead it was very odd that you depended on him spiritually as you didn't know what to do on stage. I was very upset watching your performance today...and still am.....so, my advice is that you strategise your next song otherwise you shall not be performing at the finals!
8. Ryan Wong (A) 6 (B) 24 (C) 20 (D) 17 (E) 7 = 74%
Another very average performance. However, I quite like what you did today. At least you did your best and I saw the effort you have put it. I like the "just do it as I have nothing lose" attitude. Yes, you had nothing to lose. Congratulations as you managed to move from 18 to 8! What a great improvement. (Of course this happened to Shen Deng and Yasmin too). Looking at the score, my advice is that you watch out on your pitching and showmanship. Plan your song properly so that you have an OBJECTIVE and you don't embarass yourself on stage at those moments when you were not singing.
9. Saw Mei Yi (A) 6 (B) 22 (C) 20 (D) 16 (E) 6 = 70%
Someone told me that you were not feeling well. But let's put that aside, your song was bad! Your planning and performance were weak. I was forcing myself not to stop the music and it was painful to sit through the entire song. You made all the mistakes a person can make, as I mentioned earlier. I don't see any effort being put in in rehearsing that song prior to the competition. My advice is that if you are serious in this, do something for the next round, or it would be better to pull out so that you can focus more on what you are doing right now - studies?
10. Rachel Ng Feng Yeng (A) 7 (B) 24 (C) 18 (D) 18 (6) = 73%
I can hardly hear your voice. It was so weak that I almost gave up. The high pitch was barely manageable, the showmanship was weak. The song was bad! And you cannot manage! It was a boring performance and if you continue to be stubborn (as to keep choosing songs that you like instead of songs that are appropriate), you shall not make it to the finals. What you need now is to get sincere comments from people around you and not pacifying feedback telling you that you were great and the song was nice. As the truth is always painful to hear, it is the only way for you to learn and improve. I want you to get into the finals because I think you deserve it and that this is your last year in school.
11. Teh Xin Er (A) 5 (B) 23 (C) 20 (D) 21 (E) 6 = 75%
The attire was bad for the song. The song was too big for you to handle. I have noticed that you always pick the songs that were sung by your brother before, and that is not good. Generally, girls should be singing the girls' songs, and vice versa, because the songs were composed and arranged specifically for the gender. Your diction has to be improved. When you are not supposed to smile, don't smile....I can hardly feel your emotions when you were singing.
12. Mohd Faris (A) 4 (B) 25 (C) 19 (D) 17 (E) 5 = 70%
You were lucky that your friends didn't do well today otherwise you should be out already. What a waste to have a good voice with a weak performance. You were rushing to go home, weren't you? How many times do I need to remind you to let go of your nerves and be confident on stage? If you don't think you want to do it for the next round, can I suggest that you pass the chance to Tunku Alysha as she was just slightly lower than you.
Labels: Comments by Zachary Wong Ket Lud
6:13 PM
