Symphony of Voices 2007
15th May 2007, 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Dirigent: Mr Nelson Kwei
WARNING: this is an informal review.
Held at a prestigious location, the concert did not live up to its name. Held exactly one year after its previous annual concert, Victoria Junior College Choir failed to wow its audience in this rare occasion despite the great conducting by Mr Nelson Kwei. For the first half, the sacred pieces could easily put one off to sleep, and the year 1 chorus was downright boring though they tried to cover up their technical errors with a set of bongo and tambourine. 'Il coro dei malammogliati', the last piece for the first half, was not captivating at all despite the programme's assurance of attention.
The second half was slightly better. a few gimmicks were pulled to cover up their other imperfections. For example, Zechariah Goh's 'Counting Frogs' made use of 'wah-wah' sounds to imitate frogs, which got everyone laughing. The last piece, 'Overture 1812' was a choral transcription of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's piece of the same name, and the choir interpreted it in a modern way, which also got the audience intrigued and a standing ovation resulted after that piece.
Still, I was not very impressed. I saw through the gimmicks. Still, I do not want to fault them too harshly. They are a good choir. Perhaps they have had too little time to brush up on such a varied programme as they have just finished their SYF competition exactly a week ago, which required much concentration and preparation for the three competition pieces. Still, I hope that school performing groups will not hold their concerts so soon after SYF the next time round...
I was slightly disappointed. That's all...I think the general audience (those who came to watch their friends etc.) would not have felt the disappointment. I repeat, VJC choir is a GOOD Choir. No Mistake about that.
**************************************************
There's a really good concert coming up. I'm recommending it not because i have friends playing in there or that i idolize the band or its conductor (which many people do sadly), but because it is a good band and it is performing a very ambitious programme under the baton of one of the powerhouses of the Singaporean band world, Mr. Leonard Tan.
Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band
presents
Majestia XXII
Friday, 25th May 2007
Victoria Performing Theatre (VJC), 7.30pm
Tickets: $10
Dirigent, Mr Leonard Tan
Repertoire
Spartacus
Third Symphony (James Barnes)
Concertino for Bass Tuba and Band
An American In Paris
Liberty Bell March
& performances by various ensembles!
Tickets are available from any VJ band member
Tickets are also sold at the door. :D
or contact me :D
No comments:
Post a Comment