Instrumentation:
2 Trumpets
Tuba
Trombone
Alto Sax
Drumset

2x M160 Beyer Dynamic (Ribbon)
722
XY technique 90 degrees
Height 7 feet
Distance 9 feet

Sorry, so tired now. I update another day ok?

I had my Chamber Music concert this afternoon. The piece is called “Table Music”, where 3 percussionists play individual wooden boards. It’s really interesting and we were glad that the audience enjoyed it. And then I received again the not so exciting email of weekly percussion assignments from my teacher.

I dunno whether to feel happy or sad? I guess I should be happy, cause I have been switched to a more senior group, consisting of a graduate and 2 other 4th year drummers. I’ve never expected this because I find myself already struggling in the present group that I am. My first reaction when I saw the email was - ahh.. siao liao, like not shiong enough. 

But as I am typing this now, I am thankful to God for all the circumstances that He has placed me in. Really, no matter how hard we find ourselves in a particular situation, He gives us enough grace to go through. There were many days and nights in the practice rooms where I look at the score and go “this is crazy, impossible”, and after a few days, boom. I was surprised at how I was playing it smoothly, sometimes doing it with a smile (another kind of crazy maybe.. haha)

I should also mention that I am getting the hang of enjoying my Basic Recording Course. It was so tough the past few weeks that I even thought of dropping it. Many thanks to Roy, Moo Dean, Randy and Amos who patiently taught me the theory and practical stuff of Condensers, XLR, Dynamic, Ribbon, Super/Hyper Cardioid polar patterns, Shure SM 57, D112, AKG 414, Phantom Power etc when I was in Singapore. My other classmates (5 in all) are either Recording Arts Majors or people who have some kind of background (like parents who are pro studio recording engineers) , so it must have been much tougher without some kind of fundamental knowledge. We’ll be moving to some hands on recording after my mid term test next week and really looking forward to it. 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

最近算还过得哦棵。觉得打电话回家的时候和妈妈能聊特别多东西。打击乐还是依旧的有压力。每一次上完一堂专业课就要开始预备下几堂的课。感觉就象每个星期都有好几次的演出。我相信这不是坏事，只是真的很难把这些重担完全卸下。求主怜悯。

希望能够听到一些新加波的消息。

Derrick: weekend will update lar..

So that was what happened on facebook when I changed my profile picture recently. That guy in the picture is one of my first “ang mo” peer that I got to know in school. An 18 year old freshman from Michigan. Percussion major too, and we’re playing together in a chamber piece.

Today’s weather was amazingly and abruptly warm. Reminds me of Singapore, especially the evening temperature. 

I’m not sure what to start with. Basically there are 2 major aspects of my life here: School and Church. Maybe I’ll start with 2 quotes from my teachers which have helped me greatly in my practice times:

1. “Just trust the groove”

It’s amazing how my time centering is better maintained when I remind myself of this. I’m playing a piece now that is completely sync to a CD that is playing other stuff. No click tracks or whatsoever. So there’s a lot of communication between me and the machine, ironic as it seems. 

2. “You think you got it but you haven’t”

This is about repeating 3 bars of music for an hour, kind of thing. Making sure that the phrase is really in me before proceeding. 

That’s all for school. 

I had my first outdoor worship at Ellicot City. It was really a cool first time experience. The cool breeze, warm sun, trees and lakes.. Playing piano and drums (digital) in the open air. It was very sunny cold, if that makes sense. Wind was strong, like MTV. I spent lots of time thinking about my time in Baltimore thus far.

Today marks the start of fall break. It is a really short break. We resume classes on Wednesday. Nevertheless, it is like a pseudo halfway mark for me. The thing that I appreciate very much, apart from music here, is the Church I’m in. 

I attended xiaozu last night and boy, the sharings by brothers and sisters are deep. Very transparent as well. I am deeply encouraged by how the word of God must stay present in every xiaozu, no matter how we think that might turn new non Christian friends off. The loving rebuke yet no compromise discussions, and heartfelt encouragements are so treasurable. I heard how a young father tells us plainly that he struggles to manage church and work life. He finds himself sacrificing his work and green card at the expense of Church. There’s real pain, real people, real God.

Haggai 1:5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.

Let me start with Church first. I have started serving in the music team actually. Played guitar last week (yes as a newcomer to the church) and playing drums tomorrow. It has been quite some time I stopped listening to 赞美之泉, especially their newer albums. So it was quite refreshing to hear their latest album. 2 songs which I particularly like are:

1. 耶和華行了大事 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRwT98q_244
2. 滿有能力 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni49uG3uSVs&feature=related 

Well yes they are fast songs, driving, nice drum parts, but that’s not really why I like them. 

I recognize even more now how a song leader or worship leader, is really important. What he says, how he says it, what he teaches while leading. And I have been very privileged to work with people like that in Heng Tong. Music team in PLCMC can consider songs from the new album yeah? Anyway how’s everyone there man?!

I’ve finished my audition. Nothing great. Just normal. 2 major mistakes, but nothing crash and burn like. Now posted to (like army lidat) Concert Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Percussion. Already without the major lesson assignments, life is filled with much music. I have spent close to $400 US just on scores and instruments. Still have to buy some books for my other courses, or modules.

I went Johns Hopkins for my Cognition module on Wednesday. It feels very cool, woah, a student of JHU. But I’m gonna drop that course, cause it is a bit intimidating leh. I think I’m not up to it la.. serious, although it is a 101 course.. and the distance from music school to main campus is actually quite near, but the buses here are too unreliable. It is an internal shuttle here, like those in NUS, but the timing is just way off. And the bus that I took back after school, the driver did not want to stop at music school because she was running late. I don’t think I wanna risk missing classes, and besides I already have quite a number of courses in music school. But it was nice to visit the main campus anyway, and join a lecture or two.

I am sick again, 2nd time in America. I’ve caught a cold. Don’t tell my parents k, I’m fine la, recovering le. The Air cons in school and dorms are just so cold. International students keep telling the school but the Americans are used to it. The weather outside is quite good actually. My Turkish buddy treated me to Starbucks yesterday when we went to the inner harbor yesterday which made me better actually.

The challenge ahead is to face the many music which is before me. I’ve learnt something new this week. Students here buy their music scores. But not in Singapore, where everyone just photocopies. I think a musician tends to practice harder, or more willing to practice, when he buys his own scores. Maybe that’s why there’s the rule to not photocopy music?

Sorry for the late update guys, here it is:

And so, today marks my 8th day in the United States of America, Maryland, Baltimore; Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. 

God has been very gracious to have me know this brother called Jack who works in Maryland. He was a 94′ graduate of Hopkins and is actively serving in the Church here. I am attending his church - http://www.hengtongchurch.org/ Huntingdon Chinese Baptist Church. Yes it is a Chinese Church, many Taiwanese and China people. I did plan to find an English Church initially but there are just so many kinds of churches. From Homosexual leadership ones to scientology, all just across the streets of my school. So I thought it will be good to just go for the Chinese one. 

My teacher is coming here tomorrow, and our studio will have our orchestra placement auditions on tuesday. For those who really want to know how I am doing, I will not play the strong guy and just admit that, yes, I am indeed struggling. The standard of percussion music here is high. I am intimidated, but in a good way I guess. The important thing is to keep the focus on playing for God’s glory, and I can feel how easily my heart will wander in a first rate conservatory like this. 

I do struggle with making friends. I finally understand how International students feel. It is just that feeling of _____ when people don’t speak your hometown language for the most part. Everyone also asks “How are you/What’s goin on/Wassup/How’s it goin” (Notice no question marks) all the time. I mean, all the time. And you know what? The standard answer is just good, cool. It’s funny cause I once tried to tell the person who asked me, how I was trying to register for my modules online, and he looked a little taken aback. Like, woohoa.. are you really telling me how you are? After which he just said, ok, and walked off. 

Weather is really hot here. It’s late summer. But the air is cold. And the School is just way cold. My dorm room is constantly on winter temperatures and there’s no way to make it warmer. My roommate is a nice Turkish chap. My first friend from Turkey actually. He was quite surprised to know that Singapore sells Turkish Ice Cream. Sophomore Composition major, very cool guy, I told him I din like girls sleeping over (which is allowed here btw) and he was completely fine and made the change on the room agreement form. He gave me headache medicine yesterday and played Turkish music for me to sleep, and when I woke up, I recovered! 

So, yes I am officially culture shocked, but it is still manageable I guess. Music will be much tougher as the season progresses. I have nothing now but to trust in the grace of God. By my own standards, I confirm CMI. God help me. 

Trust that all is well in Singapore. Do send me an email or sth if you have any prayer requests, or just to share what’s goin on. (Yes I care when I say What’s goin on)

You don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing. If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on into eternity, you don’t need to have a high IQ. You don’t have to have good looks or riches or come from a fine family or a fine school. Instead you have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things - or one great all-embracing thing - and be set on fire by them. 

            “The cult of sentimentalism in the arts has to be arrested by constantly bringing the heart back to a God-centered worship. Much must be guarded against the hype and kick by including other aspects of worship, which are so missing today, like lament and repentance. As a musician, I am thankful for the consistency among lecturers who reminds us about the intrinsic power of music, and the synergizing of sound theology into songs.”

                                     -My feedback regarding the Symposium in an evaluation form

I am indeed very fortunate to be part of this Worship Symposium organized by Methodist School of Music where a wide range of speakers were invited. Of which two speakers caught my attention.

Greg Scheer, Music Associate at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and one of the two plenary speakers was one main highlight in the conference. Coming from a reformed tradition, Greg highlighted two schools of thought when it comes to worship in churches.

The first is the aesthetical nature of the arts. By this, he means that the arts in and of itself contain intrinsic power that is able to work into the minds and souls of people. I am induced to say that this reminds me about the ideology of the Romantics in which “Art for Art’s sake” was being brought forth. I am convinced that Christians must take issue with this slogan because the true purpose of the arts is to glorify God. I quote Dr. Roland Chia in his workshop Sounding the Depths: Art and the Glory of God, “Like all other human enterprises, art does not seek to glorify itself”. The danger of holding the purely aesthetical view of the arts, in my opinion, is that the arts replace God, with the former becoming idolatrous. 

The second school of thought of which I am more inclined towards is the Utilitarian view. The arts have a functional role that becomes a means to achieve an end. For example, Music is used as a tool to bring or draw people into worship, especially with the ones that appeal to the congregation. Therefore, it is mandatory that theology comes through music because the songs that we sing, speak much about what we believe as Christians. The arts thus become a partner with the words and it is also important that we make the right aesthetical decisions, lest we bring triviality to the message. For example “To God be the glory” or “Mighty fortress is our God” sung to a bossa-nova beat. 

Greg interestingly points out a third point of view, which is often missed by most. He does not state his stand regarding this belief but merely throws it out to us “for free” in his words. It is this Metaphoric view about the arts where its role becomes even more important when human rationalism ends. He was quick to point out that he does not advocate the “effy effy flowery” type of feeling based idea. Rather, it is to bring out certain metaphors used for theological purposes for example; the Trinity, love, death, and image of a good shepherd. These are ideas that are not precise and actual words might not be as strong to describe as the arts can.

Colin Kirton, artistic director of foostool players, a Christian theatre company, was also another passionate speaker who is often engaged in teaching issues pertaining to the arts and Christianity. This gentleman is clearly one of those avid readers whose selection carpet across a span from Tolstoy to Michael Card. I will strongly encourage anyone reading this to visit this link below:

http://www.necf.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=12&action=view&retrieveid=773

Where Colin engages with some questions pertaining to how Christianity and the arts.

One of the common threads that I have seen even before coming to the Symposium in our churches today is a lack of songs regarding the nature of lament. I am glad to see that also highlighted by other speakers including Colin, Pastor Rupert and Rev Dr. Niam Kai Huey.

I am not sure how to sum up this article, except to end off with two verses from the Bible:

“This people honor me with their lips,

But their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain;

Their teachings are but rules taught by men.” – Mark 7:6-7

The Lord have mercy on us.

从今晚开始，我将会参加一个为期三天的崇拜研讨会。事实上，我真的很累，因此我不知道这一种日长夜多的课程我真的能够吸收多少。其实说真的，我是很想去多认识这一些人为什么会把一生奉献在圣乐的圈子里。到底读出一个MTS (Worship/Liturgy/Church Music)有什么在事功上的用途。

求主让我有一个期盼的心来迎接我将要出席的研讨会。在音乐里也能扎根在圣经上。

Report of Mission Trip and Playmax

Dear Brother/Sister in Christ

I still remembered starting the semester in NUS with the hymn “I need thee every hour” because of the uncertainty of a sophomore’s life. The realization of the importance regarding this dependence becomes clearer after the semester ended and having a summer break worth of 3 months. The perilousness of wasting these months was something that could have turned out so easily if not for the gracious hand of God leading me in the activities I have been in.

As some of you know, I am involved in Singapore Youth For Christ’s (SYFC) Performing Arts ministry as a volunteer. SYFC is a non-profit Para church organization that participates in the body of Christ in responsible evangelism of youth, presenting them with the person, work and teachings of Christ and discipling them into the church. It is therefore very exciting for me to be part of a mission trip to Petaling Jaya, Malaysia with the objective of discipling young Christians and leading song sessions during a camp (NX), conducted 2^nd to 4^th of June.

Through the camp, the Singapore team was tasked to remind and enforce Biblical truths taught by keynote speaker, Mr Albert Lee, of whom is the Director for International Ministries of Radio Bible Class (RBC). Songs were also chosen meticulously with the aim to impart sound doctrines found in the lyrics, to the campers. As group leaders, we were kept on our toes to think of applications of biblical truths into individual members’ lives. With the short span of time with them, it was truly a feat of challenge. As I look back now, I am indeed thankful to the Lord that many discussions were carried out with conclusions that spurred us to treasure the supremacy of Jesus Christ. The joy of collaborating with Malaysia Youth For Christ (MYFC) volunteers made me see that making disciples knows no borders, just like evangelism.

The camp once again exposed me to one of the most obvious skills that I still lack in ministry, which is to disciple youths such that they find the Jesus is relevant in their lives. I find myself paralyzed many times in doing people work of which the skills are so vital in the universal church.

Shortly after we returned to Singapore, there was a 2 days mega evangelistic carnival event conducted at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral known as Playmax. I was stationed at Stagemax of which the gospel was clearly shared in every show. I am thrilled to hear the report from the National Director of SYFC that an estimated number of 5000 people heard the gospel. I am also heartened to know that many Christians are encouraged by the work that we do and are motivated to preach the word in their own lives.

Currently, there are plans for me to serve with SYFC after my reservist, for a period of 6 weeks as a project servant, which is a part-time term for the job. Please pray with me that the Lord will continue to affirm this approach should He be pleased with it. I do intend to be cross-trained in media evangelistic skills during this period amongst other things. Thank God also with me that there are Christian brothers in SYFC that are consistently discipling me, and teaching me the skills in the process.

Due to me being a key volunteer in SYFC, I am not able to do part-time jobs outside. If the Lord touches, I would like to appeal for you to prayerfully consider supporting me financially in my period of 6 weeks’ project serve, if Lord willing that should happen.

In Christ Alone,

Derrick