Report on the concert will be written tomorrow during a very busy day, starting with a Demonstration lecture, lunch at the Sheraton Hotel, visit to the National Museum, Sound check at the Taipei City theatre followed by concert. Ah well, someone has to do it!
B Oosthuizen
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Michael Alberti's Tuesday 30 July blog!!!!
Tuesday
We stopped off at Zu-Shi temple, a 200 year old temple in the centre of San-Xia. A glance here and there created a very real sense of grandeur, but only a few managed to notice the unbelievably intricate detail on every centimeter of wall and ceiling. After a short drive in the bus, we stopped off for lunch at a Chinese restaurant called Long-Tan. After happily paying a meager R40, plate after plate of beautifully presented food was served and everyone dug in, some with a little more enthusiasm than others. Some ate the duck, some the pork. Some ate the fish or lamb, while others tucked into the squid, crab and bamboo. The variety of food was astounding, and it was our first real Taiwanese meal together, void of the popularly sought McDonald’s.
Upon arriving at our concert destination, we walked straight onto the stage for a 60-minute sound check. Some of the boys were a little disappointed at the acoustics of the hall. When singing, the choir received no reverberation from the surroundings, making the success of the upcoming concert a little more difficult. After the long and tiring bus-drive, the boys were given the opportunity to curl up on a scrunched up anorak for a well-received afternoon nap. Waking up to a warm dinner and ready to perform, we put on our performance clothes and quietly sat back-stage, listening to the traditional songs of four Georgians, with whom we shared the night’s concert. We finally walked on stage to the applause of small audience, a lot of which were young children. After the tranquil and relaxing harmony of the Russian singers, we woke the audience with the beginning of our lively African programme. Next, our unrehearsed San Gloria started a little shakily, but we found confidence in the thought that only the choir and Dr. Oosthuizen would really acknowledge any mistakes made. We had some very good moments, and some of the members in the audience were truly intrigued by the strange sounds and dissonant harmonies. We performed the Italian Salad with exaggerated gestures and all, and it appealed to the younger members in the audience, who laughed excessively. Finally, with the ‘Click Song’, we finished off with a bang, and smiles spread through the boys as we heard cries of “encore” ringing through the hall. After ‘Dubula’, we left the stage happy, and satisfied with our overall energetic and well-received performance.
We got back onto the bus, and a 3-hour drive saw us walking back into the familiar, air-conditioned lobby of the Sheraton Hotel.
We stopped off at Zu-Shi temple, a 200 year old temple in the centre of San-Xia. A glance here and there created a very real sense of grandeur, but only a few managed to notice the unbelievably intricate detail on every centimeter of wall and ceiling. After a short drive in the bus, we stopped off for lunch at a Chinese restaurant called Long-Tan. After happily paying a meager R40, plate after plate of beautifully presented food was served and everyone dug in, some with a little more enthusiasm than others. Some ate the duck, some the pork. Some ate the fish or lamb, while others tucked into the squid, crab and bamboo. The variety of food was astounding, and it was our first real Taiwanese meal together, void of the popularly sought McDonald’s.
Upon arriving at our concert destination, we walked straight onto the stage for a 60-minute sound check. Some of the boys were a little disappointed at the acoustics of the hall. When singing, the choir received no reverberation from the surroundings, making the success of the upcoming concert a little more difficult. After the long and tiring bus-drive, the boys were given the opportunity to curl up on a scrunched up anorak for a well-received afternoon nap. Waking up to a warm dinner and ready to perform, we put on our performance clothes and quietly sat back-stage, listening to the traditional songs of four Georgians, with whom we shared the night’s concert. We finally walked on stage to the applause of small audience, a lot of which were young children. After the tranquil and relaxing harmony of the Russian singers, we woke the audience with the beginning of our lively African programme. Next, our unrehearsed San Gloria started a little shakily, but we found confidence in the thought that only the choir and Dr. Oosthuizen would really acknowledge any mistakes made. We had some very good moments, and some of the members in the audience were truly intrigued by the strange sounds and dissonant harmonies. We performed the Italian Salad with exaggerated gestures and all, and it appealed to the younger members in the audience, who laughed excessively. Finally, with the ‘Click Song’, we finished off with a bang, and smiles spread through the boys as we heard cries of “encore” ringing through the hall. After ‘Dubula’, we left the stage happy, and satisfied with our overall energetic and well-received performance.
We got back onto the bus, and a 3-hour drive saw us walking back into the familiar, air-conditioned lobby of the Sheraton Hotel.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Updated schedule for the rest of the week.
Due to the typhoon, the schedule has been changed for the rest of the week. I think it will be good for parents to have an idea what is lying ahead of us:
After last night’s concert, we arrived back at the hotel shortly after midnight. We all had breakfast, and will be enjoying another Taiwanese shopping experience today. We plan to visit the electronics market today, and later tonight the famous Night market. So today will be a tourist experience, with no music or rehearsals.
Thursday 31 July:
We will have a rehearsal in the morning in preparation for the evening’s performance at Taoyuan, about 40 minutes by bus on the outskirts of Taipei. This concert will be in the same format as last nights – two choirs sharing the stage, each performing 20 minutes in each half.
Friday 1 August:
We have a demonstration lecture at 9:00 where 350 conductors will experience the joy of African music. At 12:00 there will a luncheon with the representative of South Africa. This will be followed by a visit at 14:00 to the National Museu, where after we will leave for the sound check in preparation for tonight’s concert at Parc del Sol. This will be shorter concert of 20 minutes, shared by other choirs. Today will be a very busy day!
Saturday 2 August
Morning rehearsal at the concert Hall, followed by a sound check with organ in the afternoon in preparation for the final concert performance, which is already sold out. We will perform the San Gloria with organ, follwed by some African music. The second half will be a performance of Handel’s Israel in Egypt. This is followed by a farewell party at the Sheraton.
Sunday 3 August
We will depart at 5:45 for the airport to depart to Hong Kong. Mail on the plane, followed by visit to Disney World.
After last night’s concert, we arrived back at the hotel shortly after midnight. We all had breakfast, and will be enjoying another Taiwanese shopping experience today. We plan to visit the electronics market today, and later tonight the famous Night market. So today will be a tourist experience, with no music or rehearsals.
Thursday 31 July:
We will have a rehearsal in the morning in preparation for the evening’s performance at Taoyuan, about 40 minutes by bus on the outskirts of Taipei. This concert will be in the same format as last nights – two choirs sharing the stage, each performing 20 minutes in each half.
Friday 1 August:
We have a demonstration lecture at 9:00 where 350 conductors will experience the joy of African music. At 12:00 there will a luncheon with the representative of South Africa. This will be followed by a visit at 14:00 to the National Museu, where after we will leave for the sound check in preparation for tonight’s concert at Parc del Sol. This will be shorter concert of 20 minutes, shared by other choirs. Today will be a very busy day!
Saturday 2 August
Morning rehearsal at the concert Hall, followed by a sound check with organ in the afternoon in preparation for the final concert performance, which is already sold out. We will perform the San Gloria with organ, follwed by some African music. The second half will be a performance of Handel’s Israel in Egypt. This is followed by a farewell party at the Sheraton.
Sunday 3 August
We will depart at 5:45 for the airport to depart to Hong Kong. Mail on the plane, followed by visit to Disney World.
Cameron Dry's Preble Blog
Hey all back in Jo’burg!
We had an excellent concert last night, it wasn’t particularly full but the people who were there enjoyed it a lot. We got an encore which was done brilliantly! We walked off with broad smiles on our faces down to the changing rooms.
It’s really hot and humid down here and you really have to keep your eyes out for scooters zooming by at a million miles an hour. Us prebles are loving it here but still missing you guys!
See you soon
Cameron J
P.S someone please tell my sister to check Facebook!
We had an excellent concert last night, it wasn’t particularly full but the people who were there enjoyed it a lot. We got an encore which was done brilliantly! We walked off with broad smiles on our faces down to the changing rooms.
It’s really hot and humid down here and you really have to keep your eyes out for scooters zooming by at a million miles an hour. Us prebles are loving it here but still missing you guys!
See you soon
Cameron J
P.S someone please tell my sister to check Facebook!
The wandering organist wanders
Tuesday was a fairly leisurely working day, save being travel intensive and long. The usual gastronomic delight of the Sheraton East-meets-West-and-everything-in-between breakfast was good preparation for the morning bus trip to see one of the older Tao temples of Taipei. The boys were intrigued by this little gem buried inconspicuously in the concrete jungle; beautiful stone carving, gilded rafters, clouds of incense and people at prayer provided an immediate experience of local life.
We pressed on to our final destination in Nantou County, an auditorium shabby on the exterior but smart and comfortable within. The extremely dry acoustic was a little bit of a shock for the boys, who struggled a little with intonation in the also stuffy environment. But that’s precisely what rehearsals are for; they were soon accustomed to the space. This was self-evident during the concert itself, in which they sang with a verve that did us proud. No organ in this venue: the San Gloria was accompanied on piano, but this did not impede a very convincing performance of the work. We shared the concert with a four-man ensemble from Georgia (NOT the one in the USA!) singing their ancient form of Orthodox Church Music. It was good for the boys to hear a small male ensemble and a style of performance that focused on minute detail. The slightly reserved audience warmed to our lads as their performance progressed, with yells for more at the end of the evening. Our singers left the stage on a well-deserved high and headed straight for the bus.
The journey back to Taipei was over two hours long, with us arriving at the hotel after midnight. Half the choir needed their McDonald’s fix, after which they retired for an apparently very welcome rest.
We still have much to do and see; we have been happy to hear that we will be able to do the Gloria on Saturday evening in the final concert, it’s originally scheduled performance having been near-typhooned on Tuesday. It would be fair to say that we are all having a fantastic time. We could certainly recommend it as a way to end any school term!
Cameron Upchurch
We pressed on to our final destination in Nantou County, an auditorium shabby on the exterior but smart and comfortable within. The extremely dry acoustic was a little bit of a shock for the boys, who struggled a little with intonation in the also stuffy environment. But that’s precisely what rehearsals are for; they were soon accustomed to the space. This was self-evident during the concert itself, in which they sang with a verve that did us proud. No organ in this venue: the San Gloria was accompanied on piano, but this did not impede a very convincing performance of the work. We shared the concert with a four-man ensemble from Georgia (NOT the one in the USA!) singing their ancient form of Orthodox Church Music. It was good for the boys to hear a small male ensemble and a style of performance that focused on minute detail. The slightly reserved audience warmed to our lads as their performance progressed, with yells for more at the end of the evening. Our singers left the stage on a well-deserved high and headed straight for the bus.
The journey back to Taipei was over two hours long, with us arriving at the hotel after midnight. Half the choir needed their McDonald’s fix, after which they retired for an apparently very welcome rest.
We still have much to do and see; we have been happy to hear that we will be able to do the Gloria on Saturday evening in the final concert, it’s originally scheduled performance having been near-typhooned on Tuesday. It would be fair to say that we are all having a fantastic time. We could certainly recommend it as a way to end any school term!
Cameron Upchurch
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
First impressions of a wandering organist.
Our first two days have been packed with activities, with some music-making in between! What a change for me to wake up on a Sunday morning and not tear off to play for a Mass. Breakfast here is an experience. From bok choi to bacon you’ll find what you want. The Taiwanese exude politeness and efficiency at every turn – the entire South African hospitality industry should be forced to work here for a year with no pay, just to learn the basics. Whether you want another fork at table or need assistance in a metro station, it’s provided within seconds. The underground train line is spotless – no eating or drinking allowed whatever. Everyone complies without question. But you never feel as if Big Brother is watching – everyone does it simply because it’s clearly the right thing to do. You have exactly 100 seconds to cross the road; these are counted for you on a digital display on every traffic light. The chaos theory protagonists and anarchists might have a hard time with this, but this society seems one that strives for the perfect balance of personal freedom within clearly defined structure, for the good of all.
While Messrs Oosthuizen and Nyamezele were swept off to a slap-up ten course luncheon given for the conductors of the participating choirs, I marched the column of thirty-six little larks into town to explore. We took a route through the square bordered by the National Theatre, the Performing Arts centre and the imposing Chaing-Kai Chek memorial. What a difference to be in a country where the Arts have pride of place. And speaking of pride, the locals are a proud, yet humble people. You are greeted with smiles wherever you go. And so it was smiles that greeted us when we descended on a tea shop, all the boys tasting and commenting on the diverse range of tea products available. Most bought some merchandise and some even purchased small traditional tea sets. Lunch was spent in their groups. McDonald’s, KFC and similar aberrations were expressly forbidden, the injunction being to try something new and preferably local. Some of us enjoyed the dishes of a local restaurant, sixty years in the business, with delicate dumplings filled with crab soup a particular hit.
With the first performance imminent, it was time for respite, and so the boys spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping. What an experience for them to be on stage in a three thousand sweater hall, before an audience which received them with obvious warmth. The programme was almost exclusively a cappella African music; important for us to make our distinguishing mark at the outset. Tuesday’s appearance was due to showcase the San Gloria with the stunning organ here in the concert hall; the cancellation of this because of the typhoon warning comes as a huge disappointment, not least to me. If I don’t sit in front of keyboards, pedals and pipes soon I’m going to lose the tiny bit of sanity I still possess. We are hoping to change a programme later in the week to include the Gloria, but the ultimate decision is not ours to make. At any rate, our hotel curfew today is for our own protection and is obviously the way the Taiwanese authorities keep their population alive during times of natural weather disturbances. As I write this, the rain and driving wind is intermittent. Some locals have said that it will peak in a few hours’ time and then slowly dissipate. There are worse places than a Sheraton Hotel in which to take refuge from the elements. For now, we are healthy, well-fed and chirpy.
While Messrs Oosthuizen and Nyamezele were swept off to a slap-up ten course luncheon given for the conductors of the participating choirs, I marched the column of thirty-six little larks into town to explore. We took a route through the square bordered by the National Theatre, the Performing Arts centre and the imposing Chaing-Kai Chek memorial. What a difference to be in a country where the Arts have pride of place. And speaking of pride, the locals are a proud, yet humble people. You are greeted with smiles wherever you go. And so it was smiles that greeted us when we descended on a tea shop, all the boys tasting and commenting on the diverse range of tea products available. Most bought some merchandise and some even purchased small traditional tea sets. Lunch was spent in their groups. McDonald’s, KFC and similar aberrations were expressly forbidden, the injunction being to try something new and preferably local. Some of us enjoyed the dishes of a local restaurant, sixty years in the business, with delicate dumplings filled with crab soup a particular hit.
With the first performance imminent, it was time for respite, and so the boys spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping. What an experience for them to be on stage in a three thousand sweater hall, before an audience which received them with obvious warmth. The programme was almost exclusively a cappella African music; important for us to make our distinguishing mark at the outset. Tuesday’s appearance was due to showcase the San Gloria with the stunning organ here in the concert hall; the cancellation of this because of the typhoon warning comes as a huge disappointment, not least to me. If I don’t sit in front of keyboards, pedals and pipes soon I’m going to lose the tiny bit of sanity I still possess. We are hoping to change a programme later in the week to include the Gloria, but the ultimate decision is not ours to make. At any rate, our hotel curfew today is for our own protection and is obviously the way the Taiwanese authorities keep their population alive during times of natural weather disturbances. As I write this, the rain and driving wind is intermittent. Some locals have said that it will peak in a few hours’ time and then slowly dissipate. There are worse places than a Sheraton Hotel in which to take refuge from the elements. For now, we are healthy, well-fed and chirpy.
Sunday NIght concert
Dear Parents
We are back in the Sheraton Hotel after our first performance at the National Concert Hall. Firstly: your sons sang their hearts out tonight, and the Taiwanese went mad. We perfomed a short concert comprising mostly of African music, and Sidumo and 36 boys barefeet on stage did SA and SJC proud.
NOW:
Tomorrow's programme has been cancelled, and we will spend the day inside the hotel. The reason is that a typhoon is approaching Taipei, and is expected to arrive tomorrow. We have bought food for all the boys, and we will spend the day ay leasure in the hotel, Please do not be alarmed by TV news coverage which might be shown in SA - we will be absolutely fine. I think the boys will appreciate the day off.
We will leave on Tuesday morning for Nantou County, which is four hours by bus from Taipei. We will sing a mixed programme. We will overnight there, and will return on Wednesday to Taipei for a full 'tourist' experience - the supper will be bought at the night market.
Your sons are all very well and experiencing a once in a life time opportunity. I am very pleased with their musical performances, their discipline and their commitment to what we have set out to do: Make good music!
Ben Oosthuizen
We are back in the Sheraton Hotel after our first performance at the National Concert Hall. Firstly: your sons sang their hearts out tonight, and the Taiwanese went mad. We perfomed a short concert comprising mostly of African music, and Sidumo and 36 boys barefeet on stage did SA and SJC proud.
NOW:
Tomorrow's programme has been cancelled, and we will spend the day inside the hotel. The reason is that a typhoon is approaching Taipei, and is expected to arrive tomorrow. We have bought food for all the boys, and we will spend the day ay leasure in the hotel, Please do not be alarmed by TV news coverage which might be shown in SA - we will be absolutely fine. I think the boys will appreciate the day off.
We will leave on Tuesday morning for Nantou County, which is four hours by bus from Taipei. We will sing a mixed programme. We will overnight there, and will return on Wednesday to Taipei for a full 'tourist' experience - the supper will be bought at the night market.
Your sons are all very well and experiencing a once in a life time opportunity. I am very pleased with their musical performances, their discipline and their commitment to what we have set out to do: Make good music!
Ben Oosthuizen
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dear Parents
You will not believe the day we had!
The flight was great, but exhausting. 17 hours later and we finally arrived in Taipei.
On the bus to the hotel, dropped our bags and off in the bus to see Taipei City 101.
The tallest building in the world with 101 storeys, the elevator takes 35 seconds to reach the 87th floor. Had something to eat in the food court, back on the bus to the hotel. Quick shower and off the the concert hall for a concert.
The Taiwanese people have been amazing, friendly and very helpful. The hotel is great, the rooms spacious. As you can imagine we were totally exhausted by this time and packed to boys off to bed at 22h00.
Right now I am sitting in the breakfast room and checking that everyone survived the night.
The boys look rested eating well, and some are even being very adventurous in their choices. They are now almost ready to leave for a pratice session at the concert hall for our first performance this evening. A word to all the parents, your boys have been fantastic, well behaved, college boys making sure prep boys are well and for our second day in Taipei, for me, a very proud experience.
Will let you know more soon.
Regards
Veronica
You will not believe the day we had!
The flight was great, but exhausting. 17 hours later and we finally arrived in Taipei.
On the bus to the hotel, dropped our bags and off in the bus to see Taipei City 101.
The tallest building in the world with 101 storeys, the elevator takes 35 seconds to reach the 87th floor. Had something to eat in the food court, back on the bus to the hotel. Quick shower and off the the concert hall for a concert.
The Taiwanese people have been amazing, friendly and very helpful. The hotel is great, the rooms spacious. As you can imagine we were totally exhausted by this time and packed to boys off to bed at 22h00.
Right now I am sitting in the breakfast room and checking that everyone survived the night.
The boys look rested eating well, and some are even being very adventurous in their choices. They are now almost ready to leave for a pratice session at the concert hall for our first performance this evening. A word to all the parents, your boys have been fantastic, well behaved, college boys making sure prep boys are well and for our second day in Taipei, for me, a very proud experience.
Will let you know more soon.
Regards
Veronica
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
St John's College Choir tour to Taipei
This is a Blog for the St John's College choir, Johannesburg. We have been invited to tour to Taipei. We are departing on Friday, 25 July 2008, and will be returning on Monday, 4 August.
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