Who Am I?

 Back when I was studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, I was in a Euphonium Quartet (I am also wondering how is this a thing...). We were called The Brass Compass Euphonium Quartet, the name came about as the quartet is made up of members of different nationality, Australia (South), Latvia (North), UK (West), Singapore (East). The quartet started out because of a compulsory chamber music module for all second year, but things escalated quickly. Fast forward a couple of months, we were 1st Place in the Chamber Music Category at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference held in Tennessee, USA. That year, we won everything we took part in except for the overall chamber music price at the RNCM, where we came in with an honourable mention behind a piano trio (of course). The group is now inactive, in fact it has been inactive since my final year of study if not for my chamber music assessment, we would have folded even earlier.

So you might ask what made it all fall apart if the group was successful? The answer is simple, different priority, different commitment level. Since then, I had seen the sustainability of a chamber group differently. The most important thing, all members of the group need to strive towards the same goal and to want to achieve the same outcome. And if you happen to all get along with each other, that would make life a little more enjoyable.

Since returning back to Singapore, I am fortunate to be in a quartet with some colleagues and friends that I hold in high regard. Out of the 3 of them, I had knew Michellina for the shortest amount of time, but what is evident is her is the positivity and dedication to her craft that is a source of inspiration!

Find out more about Michellina with the links below:
Website click here
YouTube click here

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!  

  Playing the euphonium has made me missed out on meeting people. Don't get me wrong, I love playing the instrument and because of that, I have managed to pick up on a few life long friends throughout this time. I am very grateful for the friendships and laughter. But what was lacking in my social circle were the string players (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, you get it...), the true representation of high culture. To be honest, I am not sure this is a bad thing... But I did miss out on knowing a particular Charity, which when I was growing up was the Harpist at the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.

In my conversation with Charity, what was evident for her love for music and her love for life in general. It is easy to see someone like Charity as a bit of an overnight success, because so much of what we see of her is revolving around her success, such as winning awards or performing with the quite possibly the world's most famous orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. However, after listening to her musical journey, what we see as success is no doubt being earned by her putting in the work to be a better version of herself everyday. Tune in to find out why she decided to overhaul her playing in the middle of her studies in New York and how that decision has paid off.

Check out The Harp Hitch by the legendary Charity and find out more about her work at Rave Harps!

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!   

 "The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives", you might recognize this quote from a particular HBO series, Game of Thrones. You might find it strange, what has this quote got to do with my guest today? As humans, like many other species, we are herd animals who are trying to fit in and earn the respect of others. How we decide our behaviour is based on the degree that it allows us to fit in to your environment and social circle. I am lucky to be surrounded by extremely passionate band members during my time in school and at the centre of it all is Siang Hong. The band major that shows up at 2pm every single day (apart from exam periods) to the band store and starts practicing and we would leave school between 530-6pm. After 2 years of observing his dedication, I felt like I had to do the same when I assume a similar position and I was more than happy to do so!

On hindsight, if there is a word that can be used to describe him will be "consistent". Apart from the band room, him and I spent a bulk of our free time at the basketball court. Even the way he played basketball was the same, he does the same thing time and time again, he keeps scoring and there is nothing you could do.. During our years in NAFA, he would have absolutely no issue going to the same Nasi Lemak store just next to school every single day. Perhaps that is the secret to his life. On this episode, we speak about the travelling woes of a tubist, how chamber music has helped him develop as a musician, auditioning at different countries.

Check out Concerts go Online organized by the Wind Band Association of Singapore to see Siang Hong in action along with other Singaporean talent!

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!  

 It is fascinating for me to observe the growth and development of a peer, you will have to spend a substantial amount of time apart in order for you to measure the difference. Its a bit like weight lost/gain, you don't tend to realize it  yourself but someone that sees you for the first time in months will be able to tell the difference immediately. In the case of Ray, it has been wonderful to have someone to share ideas and struggles with. Throughout our time abroad, whenever we see each other, we would talk about the hindrance in our playing and how we wished we went to a teacher at younger age! But at this point, I start to realize that the learning and growing never stops and that we can never truly master an instrument but each day when we pick the instrument we learn to cope and negotiate with the instrument for the most optimal end product. More awareness and less mindlessness.

Ray has been a good friend to bounce off ideas with and perhaps it is time for us to finally go on an artistic collaboration and venture together... On this episode, we speak about the confusion that is brought upon by his surname, how he celebrates his birthday with a fireworks display every year, his thoughts on the pros and cons of music school, the local trumpet scene and his idea of musical excellence.

Check out The Trumpet Studio
Check out Wind Band Association of Singapore for Ray's upcoming performance

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!