Gallery

The second day…

8.00 a.m. Breakfast time and we look forward to a long day ahead of us. The schedule is tight but we can still have fun.

Well, after breakfast is the masterclass by Matthew. Here are various students to test out Matthew’s ingenuity in handling them. Looking on is our guest of honour Datuk Dr Victor Wee, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism with the President of the Society, Simon Cheong. Datuk Dr Victor Wee arrived in the morning just to catch Matthew’s masterclass and of course to be part of the camp as he is as avid classical guitar enthusiast. For the first time in the camp’s history, we have a VIP taking part. The society is definitely going from strength to strength as the camp is in its 8th year. Looking forward to our 9th…!

Matthew’s masterclass was in two parts. We had tea break and did the most important thing in the camp for remembrance – the group photo. I am very sure that everyone was intent on learning a thing or two from Matthew’s masterclass – look at Ernest, he is in deep concentration. But…look at these kids. Oh oh…Matthew bored them till they turned to some kids’ games during his masterclass!

After Matthew’s masterclass, lunch was on everyone’s minds. No, not really, as what was on some of the participants’ minds was the performance they would be giving after the ensemble practice…tremble tremble. The campers were great in that they were a disciplined responsible lot. There was no necessity to remind them of what they had to do. Right after lunch, the group leaders got their members together for the ensemble practice. Everyone wanted to put on a good show for our final day participants’ concert.

Now’s the moment… nerves are jittery and those who have volunteered to play their solos are probably very anxious to get it over with, yet, there are those who just can’t wait to go up on stage. Here’s a chance for anyone, be they a beginner or advanced student or even a teacher taking part in the camp, to hone their performance. Like I keep saying, ‘there is no other better way to learn performing than to actually be up on stage performing’. The best part of performance is that although one gets all the nerves, jitters or fright, after the performance one wants to take the challenge once again. ‘Believing that I can still do better’ is a very important part of this experience.

Don’t they all look great! Sew Hong was very excited about picture 94. He came to me showing me this picture and said ‘Wow! what a shot I had taken – now she has to pay me thousands for this picture’. He bought this camera sometime in June and has been toying with it. He is improving I must admit – learning to take good shots and seeing things through the ‘photographer’s eye’. Look at our two MCs, they are in a playful mood (picture 86) Chee Kian was the person in charge of this solo campers’ concert. A solo concert it was supposed to be but ended up with a duet (picture 99).

After the solo campers’ concert, it’s tea time! Let’s see how they eat…