mymusic2

I started to learn more and more through experiences on these events. Music exams were never
a pressure during my formative years, it just came naturally as I progressed. My parents being
my mentor and my strongest critic even up till today. I thank my parents for letting me enjoy
music into my adult years. The growing pains, the spiritual, emotional and financial support
with me and my music grows up in me. Of course I thankful for my teachers as well.

I finished my final grade during my high school years and just after that I decided to take up the
violin as my second instrument. With some background in music, learning a second instrument
isn't difficult, I just have to cope with the technique. Later after a year, I attended a vocal
recital by a soprano, from then I decided to take up Classical singing as well. Of course my
mom agreed. From then I learn some basic techniques in singing. I remembered my first vocal
teacher treats me like a child, when I ran out of breath, she'll said that my lungs are not fully
grown yet that's why I haven't have enough breath. A voice takes years to build and I will only
achieve a fully matured voice by the age of 35! I was shocked, age of 35??!! That is too far
away! So as I went on with my weekly music lessons, till I finish my high school, my parents
decided to let me take up music as a career. They'd been planning this eversince I was in
primary school. They did seek advise from my music teachers, as they'd known my music
teachers for years. My piano teacher were pleased to hear that and she helped and guided me
in my career. I went for the audition in a College and I passed, the following year I became a
music student there.

Life was different from then on. I spend even more time doing things involving music. Not only
I have to practice my main instrument and do theory but I have to do aural work, music
dictation, attending master classes, recital, perform, attending concerts, be a choir member, join
an instrumental ensemble, attend workshops, compose music, music appreciation class, etc.
Besides that I have to take up some elective courses, I choosed to study Intro to Psychology 1
and 2, Sociology, Intro to Business, Maths, and so forth. All these have to be completed in a
duration of three years. Besides that I'm also learning the violin, diploma theory lesson and
having vocal lesson every week outside. My first experience being a College student was quite
tough as we only have a duration of about 3 months per semester, by then we have to sit for
final exam studying more than 10 chapters in my electives, struggling to practise well for final
jury exam, at the same time I'm taking my external exam for my applied instrument and theory
diploma paper. I wonder how I manage to keep up with my duty those days?

My favourite music subject is my weekly applied instrument lesson, piano, violin and voice. I
also enjoy the weekly choir practise and instrumental ensemble, we usually get to perform
somewhere by the end of semester. If we're lucky we may get free dinner at a hotel or a little
pocket money for performing. I also enjoy the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century
workshops. In these courses we have to understand the style of music of each period and are
to apply it into our compositions (composed works), also assignments. By then I start to enjoy
composing. I wrote 2 fugues, 2-part inventions, 2 Sonatas, a Nocturne, a Waltz, short pieces
with descriptive titles, Impressionistic music, Expressionistic music, some jazzy songs, 2 art
songs and a sentimental-pop song. Most of the lyrics are my own, except for one that I took
from a famous German poet. Then we have to perform our work, that was fun.

I were given good musical exposure and experience during those years. I got to perform both as
a soloist and in groups. I was also approached by a drama director to compose a violin piece
as their theme song and also consult their actors and actresses about things to do with music.
That was my last semester in my College and the drama were broadcast when I went oversea.
I didn't get to see the drama. That was a great experience of knowing how a drama was made
and how much work, time and people involved. Over in London was another part of my
musical life, performing a lot as usual as I took up piano performance as my major. I had a
hard time in deciding wheather to major in composition, vocal performance or piano
performance? Ending up, my mom made the decision for me. She's always my mentor in my
life even up till today.

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