| 3rd Guitar Alive 2008 |
| Written by Simon Cheong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday, 22 August 2008 23:31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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For the first time the Society used the mini auditorium at the Malaysia Tourism Centre; this was caused by the fact that although I tried to book the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Auditorium early, someone else was earlier! And TAR auditorium was booked till 21st September. 21st September is too far into the year for the first society activity, so we decided on the mini auditorium. That date instead is reserved for the Society's new event entitled Guitar Alive...is Alive!
So how did we fare at this mini auditorium? Great! We had the hall packed to the brim with the audience sitting on the stairs and standing wherever there was space to stand. Unfortunately, some left when they could not get in. We did not use microphones In this hall, although there were some comments that the performance would be very soft. Well, the ears usually take a few minutes to adjust and after that everything would be fine as long as one is concentrating on listening to the performance. One does not need blaring sounds from the speakers to gain one's attention like in popular music as appreciating music needs one to focus and concentrate for a meaningful listening experience.
As an organiser and observer, I am glad to find that Guitar Alive, in its third outing, has seen improvement in the students and the teachers preparing them. This is of course one of the biggest benefits for the participants - improvement! There was a lot of enthusiasm with great attitude. What more can we ask for?
This student ensemble concert is primarily made up of participants who have played the guitar for two to three years, and most of them put in maybe 2 or 3 months of weekly practice before this concert. With all these taken into consideration, every participant has done an admirable job. At the same time, this concert is FREE and no profit is made. Everything is paid for by the participants but organised by the Society. The organisers do not receive any payment whatsoever and there are no sponsors as well. Everything has been done on a 'love for the instrument' basis and our biggest paycheck is the success we achieve. The warm glow on our faces when we see, speak or overhear the enthusiasm and feel the excitement ... the great turn out at every event ... the success...this pushes the committee to carry on doing what they do, again and again. So, here are the stories told in the photos...
We arrive at 4.00 p.m. to set up everything including a rehearsal.
1. At the entrance of the hall. 2. Here is a group finding a spot to practise. 3, 4 & 5. Back stage - they are really hard working. 6. Caught - in the act of changing!
7. Distributing food packages. 8. Yummy! yummy? Could be much better... 9. Fun time during the break. 10. This bloke has two damsels with him... 11. Socialising, getting to know you, making friends ... whatever you call it ... it's part and parcel of our event.
12. This guy must be playing something nice for his friends to help him support the guitar. 13. Here's another group practising. 14. Having changed and making a grand entrance to prepare for the start of the concert - our MC, Ernest & Felicia Thomas. 15. Here is our group photo. We decided not to do this at the end as everyone would be busy packing up and thinking of going home. 16 & 17. Master of Ceremonies - Ernest and Felicia Thomas
The concert starts...
18 & 19. Yogaero Guitar Ensemble 20 & 21. Modern Guitar Trio 22 & 23. The Clef Guitar Trio
24 & 25. Misterioso Guitar Ensemble 26 & 27. Classique Guitar Ensemble
After the interval...
28 & 29. Modern Guitar Ensemble 30, 31 & 32. A.C.E. 8 (Awesome Classical Ensemble 8)
33 - 36. Triple 3 Guitar Ensemble
37 - 40. Maniac Guitar Ensemble
41, 42 & 43. Alleanza Guitar Ensemble
44 - 47. Neoclassic Ensemble
48, 49 & 50. Here are some shots of our audience
After the performance, Mrs. Evelyn Cheong, wife of the President of the Classical Guitar Society (FT/Sel) Malaysia was invited to present the certificates.
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