ACAMIS Chinese Event

This is Oscar's lovely performance : )

He sang so well~! good job my dear brother!

2009. 4. 11went to Shanghai 7 30am, for ACAMIS CHINESE EVENT. This is the 2nd trip to Shanghai this year, for cello, for MC. I learned a lot about how to host a show, with the help from Ms. Yu, Mattvei, and mom. The only pain is my super high hills for 5 hours standing most of the time, (Mattvei is too tall that I have to wear a 8 cm shoe, and still only at his chest height!). any way, gold medal :) and learned a lot! Also, i must say, I think ISB do have good spirit! Thanks to Oscar, great singing, good ending peice, light up the sparkle of ISB! We do rock : )

Showtime Gala - Celli Duett

This is a celli duet by Jacquline and myself.

We played this during Showtime Performance : )

I really love the songs ~ hope you enjoy it as well.

Showtime Gala : ) a night with music and love

A night with music only music and love : )


Showtime Gala is a charity gala dinner which is in aid of Care for Children and is organized by students (I'm one of the student organizers). During the event, we had wonderful music entertainment performances (such as ISB Jazz Band, MY AWESOME Quartets, CELLI DUET, and CHAMBER STRING GROUP, sining Solos... and more). All proceeds from this event goes to Care for Children (a charity aims to settle children in foster homes across China, and provides support for local families with special needs children in China).






As the leader of Global Issues Group, I've tried really hard to make our aim/ dreams to come true. This time we helped out the showtime gala event. Which made me one of the student organizer of the event as well. At first i was just responsible with the GIG information board that we can display during showtime, but it turns out that i did much more than that. Although it's super tiring and frustrating sometimes, but I think every time when I met these situations, I learn how to overcome challenges to acheive my goal. :) and Showtime did 'show' it's excellect and wonderful.



I brought few performance: my quartet group, my celli duet, and a chamber group.



My quartet group played: Quartet in F by Mozart, You Must Love Me by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Palladio by Karl Henkins . We've practiced for a long time and with great team work we played well :) and I'm really glad to see that result.


My celli duet with Jacqueline, we played Duette fur Violoncelli by Haydn. Although we didn't have much time to practice, but I think we did well :) I learned a lot from the practice as well. I love cello!

Lastly our chamber group played the Lion City by Seon Hee Newbold. It was wonderful, because so many people came and congrate us afterwards :) i learned the peice in 3 days, a peice that's super super fast that makes it so hard to play! But I manage to do that with the help from Jacqueline and Ms.Bulteel :D thanks!

I want to thank my family and family friends, who came and support me :) Without you, without me. Thank you for spending your time and money to come and listen my performances. Hope you enjoy it!

2009 Global Issues Network Conference@ Bangkok :)

"We Can. We Will. "

year by year, month by month, we make changes in our world.
But the question is... are they good changes? or bad changes?
There is a such thing called negative externality in economics, meaning the purchases of a particular product/services will cost a negative influence to the third party, in this case, i would call our earth, the third party.

Last week, Oscar (my brother) and I went to Bangkok, Thailand for the Global Issues Network Conference representing ISB GIG (my school's global issues group). The GIN conference trip was one of my highlights of the year, that I've been looking forward for quite a while. I was eager to learn more things, and meet more people who are like me, do cares about the world. Luckily, I got the chance to go : ) thanks to my orchestra teacher-- Ms. Bulteel, who helped me to move the orchestra concert a day earlier so I can get on the only plane to Bangkok. And, there I went! With a stressful (it was a super busy week, with lots of big assignments due) but excited (travelling with Oscar and doing the things I love) mood to Bangkok.

When we landed in Bangkok it was already pretty late at night, the flight took about 5 to 6 hours, but I didn't sleep at all, which is unusual :P Any way, we checked in the hotel and got ourselves ready for tomorrow's big day --- first day of the GIN conference, and our presentation which "I" had worked on for quite a while. Thailand, I must say, is a really nice place. Especially because it's currency is similar to Taiwan, I felt fairly connect to it some how, at least better than Beijing. Or maybe because I came with a heart of relief from school work for just a short break :)




FRIST DAY OF GIN
International School of Bangkok is a really nice school! Why? Well, because people are so friendly, and the school is so huge! With lots of out door areas, and colourful walls. My favorite part of the school was the theatre, cause it was super big and you could just imagine playing the cello in there, how nice it would sound like! We got our conference bags, bottles, T- shirts, and booklets, and we got to meet some people at the GIN fair.
This year's GIN conference added a new component, which was the Global Village Groups. In my opinion, I LOVED IT! GIG is basically small groups of people from different schools, and we get together to communicate, share, reflect on what we're doing at our own school, what we learn today, and what we should do... more. The best part of the group is that I got to meet a lot of really nice people, and I learned about different perspective and what's the most important and major issues that each country or places is dealing with. For example, Education for All is one of the 20 global issues (meaning to provide education for everyone, no matter they're poor or not), many parts of the world are facing this difficult situation. However from David (one of my Global Village Group mate, from American School of Japan) shared that, this issue is actually not such major in Japan, since most people have education there. However, homeless population on the other hand, turns out to be a major problem for Japan. This is an example of a fact that I didn't know until David shared.

Afternoon was my 'big moment' since I had to do a presentation about what we did in ISBeijing. I was the leader, our presentation was based on 'Shark Fin Issue' which goes under the bioversity loses. My teammates and I had planned this for quite a while, however it was sad that most of my original group couldn't come (Sae Ha Je, and Kelvin). However I got some help from Samantha, Melissa, and Andrea. It was quite interesting, although the process of putting up this presentation was really tiring, and stressful. I think I once again tasted the pressure of a leader, and how it is super hard to control other people, especialy that when they don't work at all! Any way, at last, I think we did ok-ish. People seems to think that this is an important issue, plus it's not that hard to 'do something about it'. (If any one wonders about the content, let me know :) We putted up the poster, and talking through; i felt pleasure of sharing what I've actually took action. It hasn't change the world yet, but I believe, it will, some future day. (the picture on the left is my team mates)

My dear brother, Oscar, also joined GIG middle school :) which i am really happy about. Oscar also travel to Bangkok and did a wonderful job with his MS presentation on the Carbon Footprint. I think Oscar grew up, became much more responsible, and his public speaking became really good! He made so much friends there during the conference. His presentation is a really good one, because it is one of the most popular industry for us now. It's a GREEN industry and to some degrees, does help the reduce the out put of CO2.

An inspiratual trip, an abandant journey. I wish we can really take actions to do something for our home... our only home... the Earth : )

單飛的小鳥

明天我就是那隻單飛的小鳥了

獨自一人前往香港

去相會我的好友 與我的愛人 :P Lee Hom~!

謝謝爸爸媽媽　給我愛的機會

不管是愛親人　愛工作　愛地球　愛音樂　或者是愛力宏
都有自由　：）

我喜愛音樂　我熱愛力宏

它是我的ｉｄｏｌ　優秀有才華　亞洲人的驕傲

希望在不久的將來　我也能成為一為令大家引以為傲的人

琴緣．情緣

在我的收藏盒裡，有一張塵封久時的古典CD，上有一幅提琴家族的合照。它們排排站成一列，彷彿在對著我微笑。 小提琴那充滿自信的微笑告訴我:「世界是美好的! 而我就是那最閃亮的星! 看我!看我!」; 中提琴那靦腆含蓄的笑容則是像個害羞的小孩，第一次上鏡頭; 大提琴那優雅穩重的微笑充滿貴族氣質，不卑不亢; 而低音大提琴那充滿魅力且溫柔的笑容令人抵擋不了它的吸引力。 一幅合照所抅起的種種回憶如潮水般帶我穿越緩慢的時空而我也沉醉在這浪濤中所播放的夕陽樂曲。

維瓦爾第的 <<弦樂第六號G小調協奏曲>>，四種樂器合奏出完美無暇的夢想樂曲，然而其中各個樂器也獻聲出不同的音質。交織出春夏秋與冬的景象豐富的我的耳朵；創造出喜怒哀與樂的情感滋潤我的心靈。樂曲一開始有小提琴的獨奏，極絢麗的旋律、音符、與節奏，表現出開朗的個性、 強勢的格調、不服輸的信念。音質溫潤的中提琴陪襯著小提琴之奏，時出時沒，時而也助大提琴與樂曲的結合，總是扮演著橋樑的重要角色。低音大提琴那不定時的出現為樂曲加入些許變化有如雨天過後的彩虹，突然浮現。大提琴也默默的陪襯著小提琴之奏，穩重且負責任的低調，為耀眼的晴天加上一點白色的雲朵；靜靜的聆聽著中提琴之奏，一來一往的互相呼應，如多年好友般互相扶持；乖乖的傾聽著低音大提琴之奏，期盼能成為配的上彩虹的陽光。我情有獨鐘大提琴之聲，因為惟獨它懂的聆聽、懂的禮讓。琴之聲，緣之定；掌控在維瓦爾第的筆下。情不明，緣不清；全在這朦朧美之音。

一波波的海浪帶我到各提琴的獨奏室，而我如訪客般的一一拜訪了他們的心靈故事; 那些耐人尋味的故事。

柴可夫斯基之<>，高音符佔據了天空的每一英吋；蔚藍的天也被渲染成色彩繽紛的童「畫」。 只有柴可夫斯基看透了小提琴的心，為她寫出那段悲傷過往，慢板旋律，說明一切，那受傷的心靈，渴望你的一眼安慰。帕格尼尼的<<中提琴奏鳴曲>>，把中提琴的天真溫順、善解人意的特質「聲」出來，一位高音符與低音符的知心，也有自己獨立的一天。低音大提琴的爵士曲，不規則的旋律，隨性的節奏，自私的不顧他人聽覺上的舒適，有如吉普塞人的人生，無一定所，猜不透的心卻令人著迷。聖桑所作的名曲<<動物狂歡節---天鵝>> 唱出那寧靜又淒美的天籟之聲，優美又深奧的旋律彷彿在啟發人心深處之真誠。一種極微弱之聲如心跳般的寂靜卻也如心跳般的無可取代--- 那是大提琴之聲。她是那麼的輕聲，那麼的不起眼但在各個時空中扮演著那麼的重要，那麼的無可取代的角色。一個接著一個的時空，一捲捲的浪濤證明了這一切的存在，這心跳的存在。

流過多少淚、 費過多少心； 一切「音」緣已在掌控之中---音樂家的手中。
我偏愛大提琴而大提琴唯一愛的就是他。被忽略， 被遺忘，這一切是否值得呢? 在襯托他人旋律時妳是否遺忘了? 大提琴妳是否知道妳是心跳呢?

張開眼睛，我再次看見我手中的CD，看見那幅合照。我對它們微笑。夕陽放射的光芒如此浪漫，那些令人回味無窮的 琴緣．情緣 也在我的腦海中一波一波的 “帶走我的心跳”。 蝶戀花，花待蝶 若大提琴是花則我是那飛舞之蝶; 無論時空如何轉換，時間如何過往，蝶終究戀著花，而花滄海桑田靜待蝶。

*note: some parts are inspire by lee hom's new song : 心跳

APAC Orchestra 2008 Shanghai : )

A Music Trip; to Inspire My Inner Emotion...

This is my second year of participating in APAC Orchestra, however it is a completely different experience and I have learned so much from this event, both musically and mentally. I feel very honored to be selected among all the celloists in our school, to join APAC orchestra. This really means a lot to me, because I experienced once last year (APAC orchestra 2007-2008 in Seoul Foreign School) and it was unforgettable. Playing with 100+ musicians from so many other international schools gave me a lot of opportunity to meet new friends, learn from each other, meet famous conductors, learn more about music, moreover, to motivate myself with musical studies especially with the cello. Our HS Orchestra conductor, Ms. Bulteel, arranged a few rehearsals before we went to Shanghai (CISS) to give us opportunity to test out how the music sounds like with other members of the string families. During these rehearsals I participated all of them, because this is my commitment, moreover, these rehearsal really help me to be prepare for a higher level of understanding of the music when we get to meet our guest conductor. Every thing starts with the basics, and the basics for music is rhythm, intonation, dynamics, this year we had lots of wonderful music, but they are really challenging for me, especially the Serenade for Strings Opus.48 Movements 3 and 4 by Tchaikovsky. In order to be prepared for the festival, I practiced a lot and I think I got to know more about my instrument and it’s geography (the distances between notes) better than before. I worked collaboratively with our school’s students as well, especially with our cello section; we discuss the bowings, and the style that we should be playing.
The aim for the festival was to develop students’ sensitivity in music and orchestral expressions, and I think I achieved it with the guidance from our guest conductor, Dr. Sandra Dockow, and the other players from our school and other schools. This is my fourth year playing cello and I think the main reason that I was selected to join APAC because I have passion for music. Since I have passion for it, I practiced and worked hard to achieve all the difficulties that I have (with high positions, and accuracy of intonations). During the rehearsals, I paid full attention to the conductor, although having to rehearse eight hours per day physically and mentally, it’s really tiring. Here are some quotes that I couldn’t forget:
“What differentiates a professional orchestra and an armature orchestra is that one follows the conductor and one doesn’t.”
“Use full bows! Fast bows! Speed is important!”
“No body goes on without me!”
“Glasses!” (means watch the conductor, be aware of a change)

These are all the words that our conductor, Dr. Dackow, kept reinforcing and emphasizing, and eventually, as a group of string players, we did it! Following the conductor is one of the hardest challenges for this year’s group. It is because we have a lot of players and sometimes it’s really hard to get everybody to play the same (same timing, same bowing). Especially with the new schools who haven’t gotten a chance to experience playing in such a large group, it was even more challenging. I think I did well with following the conductor. When I was playing, I not only played the notes with the right rhythm, I also tried to taste and understand what the composer is trying to tell us from his/her music. One of the ways to know is to follow the conductor. The conductor gives us a lot of support with understanding the deeper meaning of music. Each movement of her conducting, gives us clues about how long or short we should hold the note; what style we should play the phrase in.
I’m very glad to have the chance to sit in the front of the section. the first stand of the second cello section. This opportunity of leadership was very meaningful to me. It’s great to be in the front because I am very close to the conductor, and I could hear, see her very clearly. When she conducts, I follow her very well. I met a new cello player in this festival, who sat behind me, and she said that she would often look at me and follow my bowings; I was very happy when I heard that, because this is the first time for being a leader in a large group of players. Although I’m not first cello section (who usually are the best players), I’m very thankful for my hard work that helped me to develop my cello skills, and gave my the opportunity to be the leader of the second cello section.
One of the unforgettable memories that I gained from APAC was that I really enjoy the feeling of four instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass), 100+ players, and the conductor, creating music together. It is because playing together with others and listen to each others can really convey meaningful message to listeners, a mature and deep message. For example the Serenade for Strings Opus.48 Movement 3 and 4 by Tchaikovsky piece, there are times when we(cello players) need to show off (when we have melody), and there are times when we need to back off (when they don’t have melody). Thinking about this ‘show off and back off theory’, I think it can also apply to daily life. Sometimes when we are the main character, we should stand up and stand out to perform or to show what we got; however, there are also times when other people are the main characters, so we should give them the stage to do the same thing. The idea of “back off” also means support the “main character”; and this is an important thing as well. During this rehearsal the conductor said a joke, but a joke that we could get a lot out of it:
“What’s the difference between a violin and viola?
Violin has a big head.” (Meaning they show off more than viola)
Violas can be seen as the “shy character” of the string family, because it doesn’t have many solo parts as the violins. Although they look alike in style and in size, violin

s almost always have the melody. I like how the conductor encourages the viola players. I think she told us the joke to encourage the violas to play more confidently and to show off more when they have the solo parts. She even asked the viola section to stand up when they have a solo part. Honesty, this is the first time when I heard violas’ true sound; it is actually a really beautiful instrument as well! I was also impressed by voice of the viola. Through this small event, I think it helped me to develop the appreciation for other instruments. Another example of learning to respect other is when Dr. Dackow says: “Don’t pluck the strings!” As string players we often have the habit of plugging strings and practicing before the actual rehearsals, or any time when we are not playing as a group. Very often, the conductor would stop the whole orchestra and work with one section, some people from other sections would start to plug, and have their own practice sessions. Dr. Dackow often told us not to do so, because it is not respectful to the others and I think that is true.
I think playing cello, and enjoying music made my life more colourful! It is because:
Playing music can sometimes bring me out of reality and into fantasy;
Playing music can sometimes express my emotions and feelings;
Playing music can sometimes help me to understand relationships;
Playing music can sometimes motivate me to improve;
Playing music can sometimes teach me to respect others;
Playing music can sometimes help me think;
Playing music have so many positive influences on me and I can go on and on and on; however, my point is this APAC trip inspires me mentally, emotionally , and musically!