hello!
here is the latest update from Mrs Tan WC:
Date:30042007

"i spoke to Mrs Carolin Tan this morning, she said most of the money goes to paying the instructors. She has sent out letters to ask for sponsors but none has responded so far. She hopes that CO members come out with a proposal on co-payment and other plans so as to "save" CO. Please find out from friends from other schools on how much each member pays and how they help. She also express displeasure of some CO members on incidents that happened in previous years. Meanwhile, all the best for your exam."

The attachment is the draft of our letter to Mrs Carolin Tan done up nicely by zoey, but it has to be edited as more ideas of how to "earn money" and about CO-payment has to be included.
So PHSCO members, please tell us of ANY CONSTRUCTIVE ideas...

u can email me if u have any ideas...
aLICIA's email (if you dont know (= ): liciax_x@hotmail.com

thankyou! aLICIA<3

the draft of our letter:
(and i think zoey did a very good job!!! (: )

Mrs. Carolin Tan
Principal
Presbyterian High School

28 April 2007

Dear Mrs. Tan,

RE: Closure of the Chinese Orchestra

We are writing on behalf of the rest of the orchestra and they had also signed in agreement of the contents of the letter on the last page.

We received news that the school will be closing down the orchestra if we cannot find any sponsors to sponsor us the expenditures of the orchestra. We do understand that it is not easy to look for a sponsor, but we hope that the school will not give up easily on this difficult task. It will be a regret for everyone for CO to be closed down due to the failure of finding a sponsor.

It has not been easy functioning CO for the past 7 years. CO has not been contributing to the school community much and has also only started to take part in the SYF Central Judging this year. This is the first time CO has gone for the judging and we attained a Silver award. To be truthful, CO’s standard has not really reached the expectations for a Silver. We are all aware of this, and we know that we need to work hard in order to live up to the name of it. We had already made plans to improve on our skills and all of us are willing to spend time and efforts to improve ourselves during the practices after the Mid-Year examinations. 5 of our members are also going to attend the MOE-SCO Music Camp after passing the audition held on 21st March.

We are aware of the huge expenditures of the Chinese Orchestra and it would be impossible for the school to support us alone without the help of any sponsors. We have considered about this problem and we know that we will not be able to help much in the aspect. However, we have thought of holding a mini concert to raise funds. It will be at the YMC Auditorium, a mini auditorium with only 200 seats. We are trying to keep things within our strides as we know that we are not capable of a grand concert. Thus, this venue will be the most ideal for us, with the stage size and hire cost. We want to give the audiences a concert with good quality music and we are willing to spend time to learn more good pieces for the performance.

We have many plans and ideas for the future of the Chinese Orchestra. We believe that we can be better, in many different aspects. We do not wish to return to the previous state we were in the past. In fact, we want to improve ourselves and all become better as we learn and grow in this CCA. Please take a look at the proposal we have for CO.



Proposals for the Chinese Orchestra

1 Raising Funds
As mentioned, we would like to hold a mini concert with duration not more than 2 hours at the auditorium of the Young Musician’s Society. The seating capacity is 200, with 126 stalls and 74 at the balcony. It is ideal for mini concerts as the stage is not too far off from audiences’ seats and it will create a cozy ambience. The cost for the rental of the auditorium is not too high for us, with $80/hr for the minimum of 3 hours for performance and $75/hr for the minimum of 3 hours for rehearsals. We hope to keep the costs as low as possible so that we will be able to gain more profits from the ticket sales. We can also make use of the chance to sell some souvenirs to profit more.

2 Forming of PHSCO Alumni
We would like to form the alumni as we would still like to keep touch with the graduates. They will be able guide us with their past experiences in CO and we will be able to know more about the past from them. This will build a sense of belonging for both the graduates and current members to the school and orchestra. This will enable us to stay as one even though we may have graduated from PHS. Alumni will also be invited join in the performances of CO.

3 Sectional Practices
In order to brush up our skills, we can also hold extra sectional practices to brush up on our foundations. It is very important for us to build up on our basic skills. Improvement in our basic skills will enable us to express ourselves better in other pieces as we play. This will improve the standard of the orchestra directly or indirectly. Sectional Leaders will be the ones guiding their own members during sectional practices and the instructors will only check on their progress once in a while. Thus there is no need for the instructors to be present all the time during the extra practices.

4 Bonding Camp
A good orchestra requires their members to be bonded and have chemistry with each other. This will aid us in improving our standards as when we are bonded, we will be able to play the pieces better, with more feelings and expressions as a whole orchestra. A bonding camp will let us have the chance to interact with each other more and build relationships with one another.

5 Frequent reviews on the progress of the orchestra
Reviewing the progress of the orchestra frequently will let us know ourselves better and let us change our mistakes as soon as possible. Thus, we will need to be more responsible to keep track of our own progresses in order to keep up to the pace of the orchestra. CO will also be able to improve ourselves frequently.





Like what you have once said, CCA moulds our characters. We grow and learn a lot from our CCA. We have faith in CO that it will be a very ideal CCA for everyone who wants and are willing to learn from it. We all have experienced it and we want more people to benefit from it too.

CO has grown up. It is no longer the CO in the past. We feel that this should not just be the end of CO, instead, it should a very good start for us. It will be a regret that CO has to end like this as we still have many dreams of CO.

“Dare to dream.” Our dreams in CO have not been realized yet. We need a chance to realize them. The School must also have dreams of CO when she started it 7 years ago. She went a step forward to set up the CO and it would be a pity for her dream to end without having a chance to have a perfect ending. We should all be given a chance to realize our dreams.

All of us have feelings towards CO. Knowingly or unknowingly, it has already become part of our lives and we want to do something for it. Please do give us a chance to let us progress together with CO. We believe that we are able to do it.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Yours sincerely,
Executive Committee of PHSCO

---
and jeanette would like to wish all the best to everyone seating for exams.
yes, i know it's torturing and tiring to study. but think of the fun you can have after exams! (:
after exams, CO will together come as a whole family to settle whatever problems we are facing.
EVERYBODY, JIAYOUUU!

- jeanette

(:

hello! we(some members and the alumni) made some disscussions about how we can "save" CO, and this is our conclusion: we plan to write a letter/petition to Mrs Carolin Tan to tell her how we feel and what we plan to do to help (eg. hold a concert at the end of year to raise funds, cut down cost by getting own instuments etc.) so as to show her our determination of wanting to keep CO. we are still working on the letter/petition. and can either one of you please post the "plan" on CO blog to ask members their opinions and other suggestions to help the situation.. as its the MYEs now, thus we do not have the time to hold an "entire CO meeting"... after the exams might also be too late le. thanks!

aLICIA <3

This is the email sent by alicia to jeanette and I. So yea, lets all do our part. and erm, i feel that all of you have a right to know that if Mrs Tan do not find a sponsor soon, CO might have to close down. Regarding the peititon, maybe we can get the signiture of the alumnis and the rest of the school, it might help.Perhaps, another practical solution is to find a sponsor ourself. Its not easy, but if we never try, how would we know we cant do it?
Its mid-year exams now so i hope that all of you would concentrate on studying. Dont let this affect your results, okay? We will all brainstorm together after mid-year. All the best for your MYEs! JIAYOU((:

YUTING((:

Heyys, i know some of you are feeling pretty ridiculous that dance society got Gold. True, it was unexpected. But i do not wish to hear bad remarks and inconsiderate stuff being spoken about them. Afterall, it is not the practices we see that determine their final results. Its the performance on the day itself. So, you are in no position to comment because you have not been there that day to see their performance.
The school is still considering whether to close CO down or not. Its a fact. I know some of you are saying, choir and band got bronze and CO got silver, shouldn't they close choir or band down? Please wake up. If you have not known, it is the 7th year that CO has been running and throughout this 7 years, CO has not contributed much to the school, but instead spending quite a huge sum of money compared to band and choir. Obviously this is why they are still not very convinced of letting CO stay. Besides, can those people who are comparing stop comparing? Choir and Band are different from CO. So, don't compare. Its a wrong comparision. Neither do you have a common point for comparision.
I do not wish to hear my friends say about the things that CO people are saying. It hurts. I also have friends who are in other performing arts group and what some of you are saying are hurting me. Sometimes, life is unfair. But i always believe that what comes round goes round. If you are good, you will be rewarded accordingly. There is no need to be jealous. If you are one of those who are saying that dance don't deserve a gold, then what about CO? You think we got that silver standard? Evaluate yourself before you criticize others.
Remember, Attitude is the stepping stone to success. Do not be stuck-up and arrogant, thinking that silver is good enough. Its time to wake up from that happiness and have a thorough look at the reality around you. Eventually, arrogance will lead to your downfall. And in this case here, it will not only be your own downfall, but CO's too. Remember, there is still a possibility for CO to close down. So, please prove CO's worth to the school.
There will be a combined celebration for all the performing arts group. I do not wish to see havoc on that day. Even if people criticize us, just let it go. Perhaps, what they are speaking is a fact, so just accept it graciously. Most importantly, if you feel that you shouldn't be criticized, then prove to them that they are wrong! Please do not join in and start talking bad about people. Remember, do unto others what you want others to do unto you. So, please think before you speak.

-YuTing

HELLO everybody.

i seriously think that all of you should take into consideration ruiting's advice. seriously. how many of u think that we deserve a silver? seriously speaking, our standard is not there yet. and frankly speaking, i am feeling kind of guilty and somehow, very wrong that we got a silver.
not that i am trying to make you all feel down and not worth it. but thats the reality. who knows maybe the judges were lenient? who knows maybe the judges just want to encourage us? who knows that perhaps during the next SYF in 2009, the judges would be stricter? who knows if we cant even get a bronze. so i feel that we should all face the reality that we are not up to that standard yet, and there's more to be done to improve.

so, sectional leaders, could u please ensure that your members basic skills will be well taken care of and that they will make use of the time when the instructors are not here to practice their basics? especially for the Sec ones and twos. two years from now, u will be the ones that will be going for SYF. it seems to be early to prepare for it now, but while the seniors are still around, it would really be ideal to start NOW.

btw, can someone just ask lu laoshi for the judges comments? cos i think she went to the judges comment talk or something.

on a lighter note, keep up the good work of maintaining the blog. it has become more lively and the tagboard is really entertaining. LOLx. and jiaming really makes me laugh. hahax.

so yah. please co-operate ok? and together, we shall improve! JIAYOU!

-YUTING ((:

hello i received a sms from ruiting.
hmm.. she wants me to spread to the whole co. heh.

''I heard co no practice.when start practice, no matter got teacher or not, i hope seniors can take the chance 2 teach e juniors basic skills. Train them early. Den find songs for everyone 2 practice. Even got no performance, just learn new songs and be exposed 2 hua yue. I hope that u guys take the initiative to help co more. Thanks.''

well, the sms went smth like that. (:
let us all take into consideration her words ya?

- jeanette

tomorrow meet lan lao shi at CO room.
3-4 pm.
reason? not sure tho.
attendance will be taken.

-justin

hiii.
actually, i just wanna ask you people a question.
if we were to have another co camp (as requested by you people (: ), when would you all like it to be?
i hereby ask for comments.
at the same time, i need to know who are the people going abroad and the dates, so that i can plan the camp on the dates where most of the people can make it.
yupp!

anyway this camp will be a kinda camp for all of us to get together to celebrate and for us to bond.
i promise there will be fun! -crosses fingers- =P

kindly tag on the tagboard for comments or if you are going abroad, (:
thankyouuuuu!

- jeanette

:D

HELLOOO.
tomorrow, there will be CO people making cookies.
those interested can like, meet at popular outside after school. o.O
also, those interested in helping to sell the cookies can find the relavant people for more infomation.
yeahh, something like that, hah.

let's hope that CO can raise enough money ya!
we are so poor.. $_$
and pathetic. ><

ahha.

- jeanette

:D

okay.

im actually deciding to change the skin of this,
well disgusting looking blog.
[ from the comments of members. == ]

suggestions,
anyone?

and i think zoey may be a better person to be placed in charge of this.
dont YOU GUYS think so?

okay whatever.
1.42am.
im going SUI JIAO le.

-justin

haha okae. so now's my turn to updateeeeeee.
actually i had many things to say ytd!
but since there were so many posts ytd.. i didn't want to add on. ahha.

okae let's see..
Presbyterian High School Chinese Orchestra - Silver

like we actually got silver? actually i cannot believe it larhh..
but yeahh.. we shouldn't be like too proud about it ya.
cause this is just the beginning for us, yupp.

hope that this silver can bring us somewhere.
at least, yeahh, we have a kinda achievement now. (:
this silver has not been an easy one.. remember how pathetic it was when no one gave a damn about co?
gotta admit.. i was one of them. i didn't bother if co was entering syf or not larhh.
to me, phsco was just a place where people came together to create noise. OOPS.
i didn't really felt an attachment to it.

but look at now!
syf has really bonded ALL of us together.
we all come from different levels, not to mention different classes.
i hope that this bond that we have created will stay strong, and not fade away.
it was not easy to create this bond, so we shouldn't let go of it that easily! (:
treasure what we have!

we only had a strength of 45 people and yet we made it.
actually i feel that the most important people we should thank are Zhou Lao Shi and Wang Lao Shi.
judging from the standard we had last time, they could have easily drew us out of SYF.
but i guess they had faith in us. without that faith, we wouldn't have today's achievement.

and remember,
WE, the phsco 2007 batch is the first ever batch from phsco to enter SYF.
we are the pioneer phsco syf batch.
whether we had confidence or not at first, we still went for SYF.
it's a good start that we got a Silver, and this Silver is OURS.
from now on, we can only hope the better for phsco.

one more thing is that we didn't let our seniors down!
it goes to show that phsco did not carry on for 7 years for nothing.

PHSCO, WE DID WELL! ((:

okae, i'll try to plan good celebration parties for one and all during the june hols after midyears.
everyone deserves it ya? (:

and one thing i have learnt from this whole journey,
seriously, DO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF.
IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SUCCEED.
like the quote that was shared to me, ''silver is no problem if you believe (:''
i guess it's somehow true. (:

actually i feel that i am in no position to say this, but i really feel like saying it. hehs.
would like to end this post by thanking everyone for making this possible.

THANKYOU FOR BEING A PART OF PHSCO. ((:

jiayou everybody for whatever you are gonna do!
but remember of phsco, cause we are gonna keep this spirit fighting, yeahh!

PHSCO, (:

- jeanette

:D

okay.
actually theres this thing going on which we decided today.

SELLING OF PHSCO HOME-MADE COOKIES
ohh.
this is actually to help raise funds for celebrations and stuff.
selling from 10th april to 20th april.
to let us celebrate on our first SILVER of course. :D

errr we are going to qiaoni's house on monday to do it la.
so if you want to join then you are absolutely welcomed!
afterall we are ONE CCA arent we?

ps - i meant help out in the process.
like help sell. =)

oh yeah.
SPREAD THIS TO YOUR FRENS so taht we can take early orders.

together, WE ROCK.

okay.
toodoolooos!
-justin

Dear PHSCO members,

I’m so proud of u guys!!!!!!!!!!! You all have done very well!!! All ur efforts have paid off..
The long intensive practice has finally came to some uses..hahaha
Anyway. Really very touched. U have also made urselves proud among other ccas. Come on, lift ur heads up high!! E most wonderful achievement is that u guys entered this competition for the first time and u get a …SILVER!!! It’s like a great leap. I was so worried for u guys in the morning…till I received many of u guys de messages. Love u guys a lot!!!

HOWEVER, this is only a small start. u must always maintain this standard. Dun ever perceive that winning this silver award means that u guys can slack. For those who are going for the next SYF, pls continue to maintain this standard and aim for GOLD!!!! For those who are thinking of coming to jc, if u ever get a chance apply to jc thorugh DSA..however, pls also do well for ur studies!!!! Do whatever u can to make CO proud!!!!

Anyway, for those who really like CO music, pls really get an instrument urself and attend external CO if u have e chance…e.g go to cheng san cc got nice and shuai instructor there. Haha. If not, take this opportunity attend private lessons etc.

There are also things I must emphasise. That…u all must be humble. Dun bully other ccas too much just bcos of tat silver….
A person’s character is still very impt in his/her life. No matter wat talent u have, if u nv have a good character…den ther’es no point in learning.

Enjoy Chinese orchestra music…learn to appreciate them.
I feel that it is really very unique to learn CO music.. at least there is some tradition that we are holding onto.

Anyway, I got announcement to make.
There’s AJCO concert on 25th May 2006 ( FRI). u all may organize a CO outing and see how their standards are. It’s in skool hall this year due to recent SYF stuff ( long story.)
Price to be confirmed. Pls call me 91152743 if have any queries.
CO heads, u may wan to consider this as compulsory or cca outing…up to u!!!

So guys…maintain ur standards. Dun be light hearted.

Love,
Ruiting
PHSCO senior ( LIUQIN leh!!!)


ps: also remember to take a full group photo.,..make it big. frame it and put in CO room!!!

i just wanna tell you guys,

WE DID WELL TODAY!!
and also,
heck care what that stupid unknown says.
he has NO LIFE. and wants to attract attention. so let him be.

afterall, we showed him OUR POWER.
he dont like, his problem.

and to yuting : you've done your job! and we should all 3 cheers to yuting shldnt we?
must scream tomolo whn announce results in school!
haha.

till then. =)

-justin

WELL DONE !!

I am here because i want to finish saying the things that i wanted to say in CO room today. All of you looked so sianz so i decided not to say it in CO room today.

I want to thank all of you for the memories--good and bad--.
I know i have not been a good leader and i dont give clear instructions so all of you are very blur. Actually, i am the blur one here. I know i have been demanding and unreasonable, so thanks for putting up with me all these times.
I am very sorry for crying last Wednesday. I know i shouldn't have cried coz all of you needed me to encourage you. Thanks for the support and encouragement. Especially Abigail, Eileen and Xiaoman for being with me when i needed encouragement most.
Thanks Wenyi for helping me out a lot of times, especially when nearing the SYF period. Thank you Ex-CO for all that you have done.
I know a lot of you want Wenyi to become the chairperson. But please give Alicia your support. Don't just because Wenyi did not become the chairperson then all of you don't respect Alicia. She need you support. I have been through it and its a long struggle. A really long struggle especially when you try so hard yet the response is not what you wanted. So, yeah, be co-operative.
I can see the effort being put in by all of you. I am really very touched especially when all of you really give it your best for this SYF. From a CO that is really split up with very little committed members, CO has now become more bonded. I am really very touched. Thank you for the effort put in. It has been hard, but worthwhile.
I have left all of you something in your letterbox. Please do take a look. I will also help you people ask for new and better instruments coz most of the instruments really can throw away already.
Just in case you don't know, today is my last day being a chairperson at PHSCO. That's why this Silver award is very special to me. Thank you for the best gift!
Rest well and continue to do your best for the next SYF. Aim for Gold ok? I know you guys can do it de! JIAYOU!
Thanks for the memories. I love you guys!

YuTing

PS. Btw unknown, we did it. Its not COP , its not BRONZE, its a SILVER!
So scram off! We will definitely do better the next round!

haha anyway, results for today.

GOLD WITH HONOURS
- Nanyang Girl's High School

GOLD
- Victoria
- Chung Cheng High Main
- Chung Cheng High Branch
- Marsiling
- Raffles Girls School
- Temasak

SILVER
- Bukit Batok
- Bukit Panjang
- Swiss Cottage
- Beatty
- Maris Stella
- Nan Hua
- Christ Church
- Coral

BRONZE
- North View
- Outram

(:

HELLO ONE AND ALL.
that is if anyone still reads. haha.

okae, SYF'S TOMORROW.

the day we prove to ourselves and others!

some short notices,
1. Bring tissue paper for make up
2. Croc hair clips, bring extra if you have
3. School gate might not open at 6, but can come early if you want
4. Cannot stay in SCH cause bus and lorry needa serve other people.

SIAN LARHH.
oops.

we have walked through quite a journey, reaching our destination, don't give up!
JJJJJJJIIIIIIAAAAAAYYYYYYYOOOOOOOUUUU!

WE CAN DO IT!
JUST GIVE IN THE BEST WE CAN!

Concentrate, and Excel. (;

everyone, sleep earrrrrly! and takecare alright!

- jeanette

:D

hello!

i managed to find out the results for today's Chinese Orchestra's SYF Competition. (:

GOLD WITH HONOURS
- Dunman High
- Catholic High

GOLD
- ACS(barker)
- Anglican
- Bedok South
- Zhong Hua
- Ngee Ann
- Mayflower

SILVER
- Seng Kang
- Manjusri
- Ahmad Ibrahim
- Nan Chiau

BRONZE
- Changkat Changi
- Balestier Hill
- Greendale
- Serangoon
- Holy Innocents
- Teck Whye
- Eastview
- Broadrick

i will try to get the results everyday and post it here. (:

from what i see, there is a handful of bronze awards, but only few schools with silver awards.
notice, there is no COP at all. scary, huhh.
PHSCO, do you think that it is that easy to obtain a silver award?
if you really think it is, you are so wrong.
so if SILVER is what we are aiming for, we must prove that we are worth it, ya?

and remember, when you are on stage, hundred pairs of eyes are staring at you.
i am not kidding. there will be a lot of people watching.
but do not be frightened by that, YOU MUST STILL PLAY AT YOUR BEST AND LOUDEST.

remember, our CO is only made up of these few people that we have.
that is how much we can give. it is only acceptable if everyone gives in their all. yupp.

but well, everyone! do not be stressed out ya!
tmr's prac, we will make the best outta it!

someone told me, ''silver is no problem if you believe (:''

2 MORE DAYS.

PHSCO, JIAYOU.

- jeanette

:D

hello! some amendments for 4th APRIL 2007.

6.30am - Briefing for Sectional Leaders and helpers
6.45am - Report at CO room, change, go to hall to tune
7.00am - Practice
8.00am - Breakfast
8.15 am - Make-up
8.30 am - Move instruments
9.00am - Board bus; leave school

*those who can report early, please report earlier

NOTE THAT REPORTING TIME IS 6.45am!

AND,
THREEEEEEEEEEEEE MOREEEEEEEEEE DAYYYYYYYYYS TO SYF.

even i myself cannot believe it that it is nearing.

let's take tomorrow's and tues pracs seriously.
those two days are what we are left with.
blessed for us, we have SYF on the last day. (:

EVERYBODY, WE CAN DO IT!

- jeanette

and, happy APRIL'S FOOLS DAY to one and all.

:D