hi everyone!

well... really its been a long while since I last blogged on... In this world we are not at all surprised that time really flies! Maybe it's not apparent during childhood, I think. But as we grow bigger we start to note the change..in us. Today's topic I may ramble a bit since I got no specific issue to discuss.

Well the biggest change is that I got posted to Republic Poly and now I am on the 2nd half of my 1st year of my course. My diploma is on Sonic Arts. Shocking to some, Sonic Arts is not totally on sound, music and audio production but we cover film and TV production too. Some of the highlights that are very memorable for me was that I participated in the RP Orientation Programme 2010 and STA pre-orientation camp(School of Technology for the Arts). Hafez, a pioneer of the DNM (Diploma in New Media) batch took the stage. Well besides knowing great friends I think it is chance that we have to master the rigours of the course as RP is so different from the other polys.

To cut the long story short, just to talk about how I am doing, I am unfortunately not on my best effort to manage the course. :( As RP needs team collaboration; I am weak in that. And also independent learning (self directed) I fall short of the course as I depend on spoonfeeding. In RP we are assigned a mentor (much like a senior who takes charge of our welfare matters) and a Program Chair (PC) who will oversee our academic performance. I have good mentors and program chairs whom have helped me sustain till this very day.

I am currently taking some STA core modules that are very similar to my course like Digital Media Arts (DMA) and Creative Concepts., Before that was the main concurrent modules which everyone has to take. Creative concepts was the most engaging of all courses to me which we can use elements of art to meet the audience interests. (for e.g.) We can prepare a drama for hearing impaired citizens. DMA is the most expensive of all modules as we have to possess a 3rd party software, mainly Adobe Premiere CS4 Suite which amounts to abt 1000bucks. So siong right? We do not actually need to pay for this as RP includes the cost in our sch fees.

I have met nice and (they rock) facilitators throughout the course. Okay must tell you RP has this system where our mentors only serve us till the end of 1 semester. So of you are on the phase of A and then to B your mentor will change. Its different from other polys. Friends too, come and go.

1) Core-General 28 module credits A101 Science A113 Mathematics G101 Cognitive Processes and Problem Solving I G103 Introduction to Communication Practice B102 Organisational Behaviour C105 Introduction to Programming C111 New Media Communications 2) Core-Discipline 4 module credits T201 Creative Concepts 3) Core-Specialisation 56 module credits T250 Media Production Tools & Techniques T221 Arts Management T214 Sound Design T110 Music Theory & Keyboard Skills T215 Music Theory & Practice T217 Recording Studio Fundamentals T218 Sound Synthesis T219 Live Sound Reinforcement T311 Instrument Design T313 Sonic Art Studio T319 Advanced Recording Studio Techniques T315 Music Composition T316 Sound For Media T360 Contemporary & World Music Appreciation

4) Industry Orientation Programme (IOP) 12 module credits G901 Creative Engagement G913 Portfolio Development G301 Project I 5) Freely Chosen Module (FCM) 4 module credits Students to select from any offered at RP. 6) Industry Immersion Programme (IIP) 20 module credits T931 Industry Immersion Programme (equivalent to 5 modules) TOTAL: 124 module credits

Table 3: Course Structure for the DSA (2009 and 2010 cohort) for the DSA

1) Core-General 32 module credits A101 Science A113 Mathematics B101 Entrepreneurship C111 New Media Communications G101 Cognitive Processes and Problem Solving I G102 Cognitive Processes and Problem Solving II G103 Introduction to Communication Practice G105 Enterprise Skills 2) Core-Discipline 16 module credits T201 Creative Concepts T205 Digital Media Arts T207 History of the Arts T274 Drawing 3) Core-Specialisation 36 module credits T214 Sound Design T215 Music Theory T217 Recording Studio Fundamentals T218 Sound Synthesis T311 Instrument Design T313 Sonic Art Making T319 Advanced Recording Studio Techniques T315 Music Composition T316 Sound For Media

4) Industry Orientation Programme (IOP) 12 module credits G901 Creative Engagement G913 Portfolio Development G301 Project I 5) Freely Chosen Module (FCM) 4 module credits Students to select from any offered at RP Recommended FCM for DSA: T219 Live Sound Reinforcement 6) Industry Immersion Programme (IIP) 20 module credits T931 Industry Immersion Programme (equivalent to 5 modules) TOTAL: 120 module credits

I am still adapting to the Problem Based Learning (PBL) in RP. Some of my dudes reassured me that i will get used to the course. But I have joined IGs and quitted as well:( Like the Symphonic Band, one person made a comment about my playing and I could'nt take it. Ya I am a clarinetist. But my playing sucky... Haiz.. what to do, because of my embouchure problem and I always have the sickening feeling playing the clarinet. Recorder-playing also not too good. used to like it alot but now kinda lazy to play it. So.. hor hor...

Okay I wrap up here. I shall post more if can.. Lolz

Loke signed off...

NEW POST COMING.... READ ON...

New UPdate, pls see!

June... 10th anniversary concert@ NUS Yong Siew Toh Conversatory...chalet@ Downtown East, Costa Sands...IMH trip to Henderson Waves/ Hort Park...July...a blurr of events..music exchange with a university undergraduate, Kow Weiyang. Visits and outings to Marina Barrage, West Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, Punggol Beach and visit to Weiyang's house. Also July has been a month of fulfilment as i got my soprano and bass recorders, mp3 player and a CD.

The time has come for the school's mid-semester break for the papers so alumni practice will cease till 4th September. Wishing all my bandmates and friends at Orchid Park to have a good time 'mugging'for the papers. will miss them all. alumni dinner will also be postponed till end of year. At the meantime hopefully I will be able to participate/ help out in a charity drive/ marathon and perform for the IMH concert at the end of the year.

Wah after so long then got inspiration to write!.. Weiyang is on his final year lap of his university studies so i wish him all the best.

that's ALL for now, guys i will come back again for more.. loke signed off

first things first

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alumni concert pieces

these are some of the pieces for the alumni concert on 19th June (tentatively) , combined with the wind orchestra...

Alumni Winds

1. March ''Wind for Winds''
2. Old Churches
3. Bassoon Concerto in Bb major
4. The Merry Widow selections

Combined

1. EL Camino Real
2. First Suite in Eb ''Intermezzo''
3. 1812 Overture

Encore

1. American Graffiti

Dressing Code will be in black, that means black long sleeved shirt for men and pants, black shoes. Will be held @ Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music

Ok back to myself, I and the epip group went on a short trip to Pulau Ubin last Tues (14/4) but the main purpose was to visit Chek Jawa Wetlands. Weather was hot and sunny and took a bus ride down IMH to Changi Village. Had a short lunch break before we arrive for the bum- boats. Yes we did caught some animals like monkeys, the red junglefowl, some jellyfish and a monitor lizard..too bad when we reached Chek Jawa, it was high tide so the seashore seemed to be washed away. br..br.. at least we managed to trek up to the Jejawi Tower to catch a bird's eye view of the place and some photos too. During the walk we were entertained by Hafizah with her lively jokes and everyone kept on 'bugging' at me for the insect repellent. The trip ended with some of us bathing in the sun and eating ice-creams, coconut etc... ai yah no inspiration to write more, i shall end here..