Echos of Christmas!

It seems like there are too many things happening in December. Its really a very very busy month. But...we are happy! There are so many events going on at the same time.

This is a last minute update for tonight's show at Singapore Art Museum. Yap! Our S.T.A.R students are all coming together for a Christmas performance tonight! They are working hard on this one, and their rehearsal ended like midnight yesterday....what a batch of industrious kids! Wahahaha...

This is one the rehearsal clip last night. If you kinda like it, drop by tonight to show your support!



Details as follows:



Date: 20 December 2008
Time: 8pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Singapore Arts Musuem (SAM) Auditorium
Ticket: $10 (Free Seating)

Its the time of the year again!~!~ Its Christmas time!

Whenever its the end of the year, many people look forward to the holidays that are ahead. Many also look forward to celebrating a very special and unique festive season, Christmas! I am sure to everyone, this day holds a special meaning :) There are usually parties, gatherings and various activities going on. Its a time of giving, of hope and love!

And for Echo Music, we could not just not do anything for this year's festive season. We kicked start the month and occasion with our first Christmas show at UE Square on the 5th of Dec, Friday! We had 5 singers, namely Neo, Taiwei, Meijun from our Star Program and our instructors Caleb and Simin. Simin also strutted her thing with her rhythmic guitar skills. We were very honoured to be invited to do the performance and indeed, it was a joy. It was great to fill the atmosphere with the season of love and giving :)

Owing to the organisers and the good response, we'll be back with another show this coming friday.

Venue: UE Square
Date/Day: 12th Dec, Friday
Time: 2pm-3pm

Below are some photos from our first Christmas show.


Practice before our show. @ Starbucks, the Central


A sight of diligence! :)


Carolling at UE Square!


In another pose... :)


The performers of the day


Together with our lovely organiser, Sheena.

Thanks to Steven who came down to support and took the photos for us! :)

-LeB-

Four Mics @ SAM presents... RIZAL AND FRIENDS! :)

Four Mics @ SAM presents : Rizal & Friends!

Come join us for a night of good music with a fantastic lineup of Rizal (frontman of one of KL's hottest band Rated R , also our singer-guitarist of the night) and Mei Lian (our talented local singer with vast performing experience) on vocals; Simon (Echo's very own keyboard instructor on well, the keyboard :D ); Kai Xiang (Echo's young but skillful flute instructor), Jacob Wee (our former Echo student on percussions), together with our boys from KL - Ralph (on percussions too), Ivan (saxaphone) and Fabian (on bass).

We will be doing a feature of Rizal's music; adult contemporary rock with great hooks, touching lyrics, grandiose arrangements and of course, the occasional impactful guitar solos that he is known for.
Despite being based in KL, Rizal is actually a Singaporean musician, and on the 29 Nov, he is going to take his music to the Singapore crowd for the very first time.

Want to Rock and Roll?

Then come bring down the house with us on the 29 Nov 2008, 7pm - 8pm @ the Singapore Arts Museum.

Give us a call @ 6226 7479, or drop us an email via info@echomusic.com.sg to get your tickets now!

Tickets will be available at $10 per pax.

*For Echo's students, you can check with us for more information regarding entry if you are keen to go.*

See you there!
:)

Promotions for the Festive Season

For this Festive Season, here are the promotions that we will be having for the month of November and December.

• ALL COURSES - waiver of registration fee $15
  
• Piano/Keyboard Courses - discount on selected Yamaha piano/keyboard from $100-$350 off + a free keyboard pedal
  
• Guitar Courses - free acoustic guitar worth $90 and free guitar bag and pick
  
• Vocal Courses - 50% discount on purchase of Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone @ $80 (u.p $160)
  

We will also be having discount for instruments up to 20% and 10% discount for 1st 2 months’ course fee and a free Christmas album

*Terms and conditions: upfront payment of 2 months’ course fee upon registration.

Grab this chance and join us now! :)

Korea Festival 2008

In conjunction with the Korea Festival 2008, the Korea Embassy will be organizing a K-pop Talent Contest.

If you like K-pop, and wants to take up the challenge of competing with other teams with your favourite songs and dance moves, come sign up now!

Top prize is a KIA Cerato Car!
;)
And so what if you failed to win?
The process and experience is really truly what matters!
:)

Entry forms are available at EchoMusic, so come pick one up today.
Registration will be from 6 October - 23 October 2008.

For more information, do visit www.koreafestival2008.com.

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."
~ Unknown

LIVE! Crazy YET!

I am sure our students will notice there is an album single laying on the Echo's desk for sale. The one with a cute boy's face.....ring a bell?

Yeh..this is the one....

Some students actually commented 'he is just a small boy...and he is releasing an album..' !! Hahaha..i got these comments from more than one person....you know who you are. But NO...Mr Yet is already a 'full-grown' man in his thirties... that album single is just that start of his dream. He has already released a 10 song album and it will be on sale in Sembawang Music and CD RAMA.

The dream of Yet is not quite a fairytale. It is alot more than that.

This is a D.I.Y album...needless to say...it cost a bomb from his own pocket...more than what you and I may have in our bank account. What makes Yet want to do it so much...after such a long time?

He is indeed crazy ya....about his music.

Some excerpts from Yet:

"Life is Crazy, no doubt. But I could only call Life crazy if/when I begin to understand and appreciate that while I am trying my best to deal with every little simple aspect in/of Life, I am actually only starting to learn forever.

I learn Music; Music enables me to learn more of myself, of people, of the universe, of the altitude and the attitude. Music is Crazy;

I am Crazy about Music."

Yet is a life example of a man living his dreams. I remembered him telling me he would release his own album if he can't make it through the labels before thirty. I also remembered myself doubting if his dream will come true.

But....dreams really do come true.

It don't come from nothing...it's not just the monetary terms ...but also 'perseverance and contentiousness' as quoted from Yet.

Its tough...but its a sweet battle isn't it....?

Yet will be performing LIVE at Singapore Art Museum on the 25 October 2008 at 7pm. Let his passion and music reach out to you. Be a part of his dream by showing your face!

You can know more about Yet and his music at http://www.iamyet.net and http://mryet.blogspot.com/.

Danz People!

Hey Hey...The S.T.A.R program kids kick off their first dance lesson last Saturday!

The students may have talent in their own way, some are better in singing, some can composed and played some instruments...but GOD is FAIR! Their moves...are....hahahaha...needs some compromising...and...what happen to the dress code? I do not understand why MOST students actually wear tight JEANS to the lesson.

So Yan....is it stretchable enough? Hahaha...anyway...some pictures to share the fun!

Kids...Stretching time...

Meijun looking good here..Max with his usual drama expression!
Joey: My jeans are too tight la...

Taiwei........struggling.....

More struggling!!! and MORE JEANS!

Looks like she is having some fun...or not?

Be smarter next time guys, I do not have to tell you that dance lessons are just that PE lessons back in our Secondary School! Please wear something that is really stretchable.

Hope you have learn your lesson..

I think overall...the students had a good time with our "Jacky-look-alike' instructor Francis!


Way to go Francis..姜还是老的辣！

All smiles aound....YEH!

"Souls wouldn't wear suits and ties, they'd wear blue jeans and sit cross-legged with a glass of red wine." ~Carrie Latet

And speaking of red wine...
hahahaha.
;)

Starting of a new week, and an almost end to September already..
Time flies!

Ready for more learning?
Another step of the musical journey.

Have a great week, people!
:)

Opera Talent

This clip is all about singing isn't it?

It doesn't matter what you sing, or whether you understand the song. What matters is it means something to us...and a story and a personality is related and communicated so clearly in a voice.

It's raw and powerful.

I cried like a baby....

Yellow Ribbon Project

Echo Music is involved in the Yellow Ribbon Project "Our Crossroads" at the Marina Square 13 Sep 2008.

《别松开手》....

“Our Crossroad Exhibition“ is an experiential exhibition showcasing three real life stories of inmates/ex-offenders. The exhibition will allow the community to gain an insight into the intricate issues affecting the inmates/ex-offenders and their family members, and to garner community support for their reintegration journey.

Benjamin

Caleb

Neo

Jiujian

Fiona and Max

OO...Way to go Max

We are proud to be part of this collaboration and thanks once again to Jiujian for this wonderful experience. With the Mr. Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) present and all the cameras snapping down the stage, I am sure the students had a great time themselves.

I would like to apologise if you can't see your face in the pictures as some of the pictures are in very poor resolution and I do not want to post them up.

Lastly,thanks to Alex for the great pictures...and...Great Job Everyone!!~!!

SPCMCC - Xinyao @ SAM

The Singapore Polytechnic Chinese Music and Culture Club was our August's SAM performing guests of the month.

Over more than 100 tickets were sold for the event, and despite being a first time mass production for the club, the members did really well.


*all pics credit to SPCMCC*

Great job guys!
:)

If you failed to catch them live on the 30th August, you can visit www.youtube.com, and search for SPCMCC xinyao in the search engine to catch the splendid production.

"Music is what feelings sound like". ~Author Unknown

Vote for Tu-Zi!

We would like to congratulate Tu Zi for going this far in the Superband competition. Their distinctive image and refreshing music arrangement really strikes an impression in the judges' heart.

Tonight Tu Zi is singing Korean+Chinese version of Ya Zi (original by Tracy Su). Call 1900-112-6005 or text SMS B4 to 71199 to show your support!

Student Gathering - August 17, 2008

On August 17, we had our half-yearly's EchoMusic's Student Gathering.

(Yes it is September now and this is a very belated post, I am sorry! Haha.)

Backtracking, it was a night of fun and laughter, with performances from our very own students, in a warm and cozy place where there were great food and even lucky draw prizes to be won; but most importantly, the chance for students from our school who might have never seen or interacted with each other before to come together and have fun and mingle.

Kick-starting it all were the hosts for the night,


Wendy and Caleb.

And then the show began,

With our very own Echo's students and instructors on keyboard/guitar/vocals, and in no specific order haha, we have,


Max and Joyce, with Yoshiko and Simon

Danick and Jake

Elias

Simin and Emmanuel

Jasmine, Maggie and Crystal

Peishi and Denis

Raymond and Regina, with Adeline Hui

Simin with Tai Wei and Mei Jun

Xingyu with Adeline Yeo

Neo and Esther, with Yimin

Zhang Yan and Caleb, with Lixian on Keyboard.


Jacob, with Jake and Joey

&
Fiona and Sky + Caleb (sorry lei guys I can't find pictures of you performing together so I have to resort to doing this hahaha)

In between we have our lucky draw sessions, and congratulations to those who have won!

Certificate Presentation ensues for students who have had completed the various stages for their course, and we congratulate all the students who got their certificates. Hard work and effort pays off, and congratulations again for having been able to move on to the next level of music learning!

Some of our students who got presented with their certificates;




There was also a $100.00 cash prize given to the best performing team, and it went to...


Danick and Jake! Congratulations guys!

A special award was also given out that night, the Long Service Award, to a very special lady;

Thank you Hefang, for being with us for so long.
:) We really appreciate it.

The student gathering would not have been made possible without the attendance of the students who came; and thanks also to the organizing committee for making this possible.

"I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality." ~H.A. Overstreet

Thanks for being a part of our musical journey...
一起加油吧！