While I was packing my cupboard...I decided that it's finally time for me to to discard some of the stuff that I'd kept for like what....3 years?? Hahah..I dug out loads of old worksheets... materials...namelists... Some of the namelists are of classes that have already graduated, and some were of the current sec4s when they were in Sec 1! Haha..it was so nostalgic...thinking back to the times when I was teaching this current batch of Sec4s when they were in Sec 1...and now they're already going to take Prelim 2.
Class list of graduated students....
Mixed lists....some graduated..some current sec4s...
As I was rummaging through the stuff in my cupboard, suddenly saw this picture of me and some of other trainee teachers in 2004...the picture was taken at the end of our teaching practice at CHS. Think I looked so 'fresh' and ready to go at that time..haha...
Class list of graduated students....
Mixed lists....some graduated..some current sec4s... 
As I was rummaging through the stuff in my cupboard, suddenly saw this picture of me and some of other trainee teachers in 2004...the picture was taken at the end of our teaching practice at CHS. Think I looked so 'fresh' and ready to go at that time..haha... ACJC 20th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service
Had stopped singing with the ACJ alumni choir since I think..2001..and I must say I really do miss singing in a choir. Was reeeeeeeeally tempted to commit to singing for this year's choir concert since it is the 20th anniversary since the choral excellence programme was started in college. But due to my heavy commitments to work, I just couldn't squeeze out the time for Saturday practices. Then recently there was an invitation for alumni to sing at the 20th anniversary thanksgiving service together with the college choir. The thanksgiving service is a christian service aimed at giving thanks to God for His favour and grace upon the choir over the last 20 years. And since the thanksgiving choir only required 2 practices, and best of all, it was in the June break, I jumped at the chance... :)
At first I thought that we were only going to be singing about 4 songs, but lo and behold, it turned out that it was ELEVEN pieces of music!! Haha..I almost died. Thankfully I had previously sung 6 of the songs before....but during sectionals, I could hardly remember my alto line (which is the harmonising line to the main tune). I thought to myself "I'm so dead..."...but strangely, when we combined the sections together to sing as a choir, somehow my notes just came back to me, and I was able to sing all the notes right. VERY strange..haha...it's as if the notes were all embedded somewhere deep in my brain storage....
For the 2nd and final practice, the choir was introduced to Ms G and Ms R, the 2 main conductors of the choir during my time in college choir. They had since passed on the baton of conducting the choir to the younger conductors and so it was such a privilege to see them conducting again for the thanksgiving service. It was all so nostalgic....all my previous conductors and teachers, were all there at the same time. I felt transported back to the time when I was just a college student...
The morning of the actual event....warming up and getting ready for sound check..
The changing rooms in the new arts hub in ACJ...super cool...almost looks identical to the ones which are in the Esplanade....
Very formal and nicely done up reception table to receive guests who are coming for the event...almost looks like a wedding doesn't it? :)
The backdrop on stage throughout the service...
And so the service began, with one of the current choir teachers paying tribute to all the people who have contributed in one way or other to the choir....
The bible passage Psalm 1oo was the theme of the service..
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Towards the end of the service, messages and well-wishes of alumni choir members, who were unable to be present as they were abroad, were read out to the congregation. One common message ran through all the well-wishes and reflections, which was their admiration and deep appreciation of the choir teachers during their time in the choir. And I couldn't agree more with what was being read. The choir teachers taught us more than just vocal techniques, but also inculcated in us discipline, humility, and the passion for sharing music on stage, without ever mentioning the need to win a competition. They taught us.....what was true musicianship.
Hopefully in years to come, I can look back and say that I've also impacted the kids under my charge in some way, be it big or small.
Choir teachers past and present...the pillars of the choir.
What's a celebration without a huge huge cake? =)
My choir batchmates! Great to be singing together again :)
Couldn't resist taking a picture with my teachers.. :)
Yes, I love AC! :) Always have...and always will.
