Survived Camp Allegro

I survived Camp Allegro for the third time. I think now that I've finally figured some things out, I don't think I'll be teaching there anytime soon. This year's activities included: scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, visiting other barns, step-tag, musical versions of red light green light and Simon says. Liked that this year, the staff & volunteers were introduced at the beginning of the camp. I sure did not hear "who's my teacher?" as much.

Of my own camp experiences, I did come to realize at this camp that we don't have a camp theme song. I remembered to put in the suggestion before I left. I feel that since Camp Allegro has been in existence for the past 4 years, it's time to start a tradition that would unify the experience for all campers and staff. I will see what they come up with.

Summer Whirlwind

This summer is going to be quite a whirlwind. Finally, I can eat, live, breath piano which I have sorely missed. There have been some setbacks with an accidental cut, tetanus shot and then inflamming a nerve because I didn't wait to fully recover from the shot.

I am going to try to record some pieces tomorrow on the piano even though my hand is not quite fully recovered. I have been in a wrist brace for the past 3 days and it has helped immensely. Will keep my fingers crossed :) although I am not a recording artist.

If all things are in place, I should be back in Kansas for a much deserved break. I look forward to teaching piano again and I miss that so much. It is good to find out that it is so much a part of me.

Coming back to Alabama end of June to maybe a few recitals here. Then I'll cross the Pacific and go home to Malaysia to perform there. This will be my first formal recital in Malaysia and I am excited. I can see that there are many of my high school friends are sitting in the planning committee. It is certainly time for resolution and reconciliation.

Lost in Translation

I attended a Korean friend's wedding last Saturday. The wedding ceremony was at a church and being somewhat familiar with Asian church weddings, I wasn't too surprised. Hmmm.. there is no PDA as expected, but they bowed to each other. That's sweet! There was no interpreter for the wedding sermon, so we were left to be amused by inflection and facial expressions of the pastor. At times, I knew it was a joke by the laughter and as infectious as it is, you laugh even though you've no idea what you're laughing at. As I'm returning for another 'performance tour' in Malaysia, this reminded me of the Keynotes & Praise Band trip in 2000 to my hometown.

Daniel Miller was to give the sermon (which he was also caught off-guard .. when you've worked with Martin Rude, you know!) and he was informed there would be a translator. Everything went smoothly as far as the worship and our singing. Then the most interesting part of the evening came. Daniel chose the Old Testament story of Gideon and the Midianites (Judges 7).

He began to preach, and Mr. Wong would translate from English to Cantonese after a few lines. As the sermon went on, the congregation would burst into laughter after Mr. Wong each time. Z and I were at first trying to be really polite, but we ended up holding our sides. The rest of team also started laughing even though they had no idea of what was being said. Daniel did ask us whether he was really translating the sermon, and he was. I don't think Daniel intended the sermon to be so entertaining.

There was one slip of tongue by Mr. Wong which brought guffaws. Instead of the saying one of the many -ites (Amorites, Amalekites, etc), he translated one of them as Gideon defeating the Indians. My Indian nanny understands Cantonese perfectly and she found that absolutely hilarious. The poor people from the Tamil Methodist Church. They weren't insulted but laughed just as much knowing it was a genuine mistake.

All in all, it was a great evening. People hanging on the window sills to watch us. Eight people accepted Christ. Wonderful cool weather, it had poured that afternoon. The next day they visited my alma mater and the kids loved us. A great Keynotes memory!

Electronic Music in China

I received this weblink today and perhaps would be of interest to 20th/21st C music fans. Traces a background of electronic and computer music in China beginning in the 1980s to current.

Electronic Music in China

The 12 Girls Band

For those of you that attended my lecture on Chinese music, here is the link to the 12 Girls album containing the version of "Reel Around the Sun". The group plays essentially Western music using Chinese traditional instruments. Check them out!