Dear SHC Members,
I feel honored to be given this task of organizing SHC the concert. All this while, I have been toying with the idea of a big bang showcase of talents from within SHC and also the hiring of a large auditorium etc. It was just awhile ago that a little “tweety bird” flew by and whispered that we could start off first with mini concerts at old folk Homes. Thanks, little birdie!! The task suddenly became easier to fulfill!!
With this in mind, I am redressing my outlook and am now embarking on looking for artiste/s within our midst who would like to volunteer their time and services to come and start the ball rolling.
For ease of stage presentation, I would like to name this sub-group as… SHC Music & Dance Troupe. Sounds a little old, never mind lets just move along and see what happens next. Right now, the priority is to round up as many interested members as possible and we shall see how we could program an exciting showcase with whatever we have….mini bang!!
1. Dancers. I need all types, give me your names. Tell me what steps you know. E.g. Tango, Rhumba, Cha Cha, Fox etc. Do you have a partner for serious ball room dancing demonstrations or do you Line Dancing only…if so, can you do simple choreography? Square Dance/Country Style? Hawaiian Hula? Tell me more.
I need all types, give me your names. Tell me what steps you know. E.g. Tango, Rhumba, Cha Cha, Fox etc. Do you have a partner for serious ball room dancing demonstrations or do you Line Dancing only…if so, can you do simple choreography? Square Dance/Country Style? Hawaiian Hula? Tell me more.
2. Guitarists. Play solo/accompanist? What style? Pops, Classical, Jazz etc. Do you strum only, pluck? Solo on lead electric guitar? Comfortable on accoustics or electric guitar? Can you play the electric bass guitar or accoustic double bass? Familiar with Amps. Gadgets? Tell me more.
Play solo/accompanist? What style? Pops, Classical, Jazz etc. Do you strum only, pluck? Solo on lead electric guitar? Comfortable on accoustics or electric guitar? Can you play the electric bass guitar or accoustic double bass? Familiar with Amps. Gadgets? Tell me more.
3. Pianists. What style? Blues/Rock/Jazz or all Contemporary stuff or classical? Comfortable with electric piano? Familiar with Amps? Tell me more.
What style? Blues/Rock/Jazz or all Contemporary stuff or classical? Comfortable with electric piano? Familiar with Amps? Tell me more.
4.Keyboardists. Accompanying strictly on strings only or on full board gadgetry? Familiar with Amps?
Accompanying strictly on strings only or on full board gadgetry? Familiar with Amps?
Tell me more.
5. Drummers/ Persussionists. Playing full jazz set or congas, bongoes, timbali etc. electronic /drums pads? Others
Playing full jazz set or congas, bongoes, timbali etc. electronic /drums pads? Others
6. Singers. Languages? Mandarin/English/Malay? Dialects Hokkien/Cantonese?? Others. Comfortable with live music accompaniment? Tell me more.
Languages? Mandarin/English/Malay? Dialects Hokkien/Cantonese?? Others. Comfortable with live music accompaniment? Tell me more.
7. PA Technicians. Familiar with modern roadie works. Set-up mobile sound systems and disengaging.
Familiar with modern roadie works. Set-up mobile sound systems and disengaging.
8. MCs /Comperes. Road Show experience? Languages? Knowledge of Microphones? Tell me more.
Road Show experience? Languages? Knowledge of Microphones? Tell me more.
9. Transport / Co-Ordinators Some relevant experience in road shows.
Some relevant experience in road shows.
10. Others
For the interim, I would like to have Ron(Allrounder) and Clara as my firm left and right hand front line buddies for this entire exercise. However, should they decide to abandon me, for some reasons or other. I will bear no grudges but will not accept it till a blue moon appears!
So let’s go, drop me a note on this thread, I will be happy to hear from you, Cheers!
Regards, God Bless,
Edwin Chen
Walau eh, roles all look so daunting & so demanding……………safer to just buy ticket and watch from the floor.
(Seriously, if you need my help as the bouncer to rope in the boisterous ah peks & so keep peace within the old folks home, I gladly will).
My dear Tim,
In anything, that we have to do, I believe in doing it well and in style. Don’t you think that at least our concert presentation should measure up to the current level of the “expired” talents presented on the “aunties & uncles” weekday afternoon shows televised on Channel 8?
Otherwise, why all the jazz, why bother, please stay at home “gelek” infront of the TV or croon in the bath room, satisfaction to the ego guaranteed in wholesome totality.
Like it or not the term old folks is a very direct and positive reflection to the condition of the folks in residence. But to the more incline to posterity, perhaps, elder folks sounds a little better! Anyway, what is in a name…” a rose in any name smells just as sweet” Any Roses around, Tim whiff .. sniff..sniff “Walau buay tahan!”
Tim, don’t evade the item set aside for you, do your homework, you are SHCs one and only…standup comic! Bouncer job is too mundane for you…but if you really want to be one..I will introduce you to Shah an old associate of mine at “Zouk”. At least the pay is good, tips “lagi” good. My pal, ticketing will have to come under our finance man, our “piggy bank” holder
Incidentally, there is a lot of hot air emancipating from PhDs in some government quarters about eradicating old folks homes..total wipe out in the future. Really? Do you folks think it is possible?
Look at our society from a bird’s eye perspective. The behavioral pattern of our younger generation..walk along Orchard Road…eye ball the younger folks… do you think they could grow up and survive a scenerio with no old folks homes around to dump their oldies…. don’t know about goodies!
Some years back, I was a volunteer in charge of street children( kids? No! only goats have kids!) at the MYMCA/Palmer Road. School drop outs, young street bums, tattoos all over their bodies, mini-mafia etc you name it. Simply put, children that have wandered because their parents did not bother to care…or their mothers conveniently just drop the bomb and leave them to sink or swim by themselves! Or to charity. In their adult years, don’t you see a pattern repeating itself? When challenged by mortar top square heads from “stylo milos” air-condition offices, I always extend them a warmth invitation.. come jive with me, walk the streets of the poor. In those days, air-conditioners are unheard of except in the better known shopping places. More than always, they chicken out!
You never really can tell who is a better soldier till they face the front line.
A big thank you to you Ron/Allrounder for posting this piece for me and Clara, my dear, for absorbing the avalanche of after shocks!!
Regards to all,God Bless,
Edwin Chen
Edwin, I told the truth and offered what I know I can do, and to quote you, “do well and in style”.
Knn, tkl & not forgetting mck, why that gush fr you as if you are a long constipation sufferer relieved after gulping down Lily’s overnite devils’ curry.
By all means, do everythg to measure up. You hv my full moral support there (but not when you start picking out kids & chickens for raps).
And then after tempting us with Rose and her posterior, yr “whiff .. sniff..sniff” bares yr motive. Hahaha, really buay tahan you.
Shah ? Sure, I know him. I taught him silat after he kena walloped jialat jialat on the butt until he cant fart.
Well, I suppose it’s a matter of course that eventually all old folks homes will close down and be sold en bloc. Old folks will then be paired up & married off, what with homosexuality accepted as socially desirable.
When that day finally comes, worry no more abt bird’s perspective bcos even birds will shut their eyes & refuse to look at our society.
Tim, man of 3-letters,
What is Knn, tkl and mck?
Heeeee, Joy, you’ll be anythg but rejoiced if told what they mean………more lethal than 4-letters. Suffice to say that knn is hokien, tkl is canto and mck is hainanese…….learned them in primary school.
Dear Tim,
No offence intended, my man, just poking a little fun with you. Nothing personal, please stay on course, you are still my idol for the item.
Regards,
Edwin Chen
Dear Edwin,
I refer to your email dated 14 June 2007 timed 4.28 p.m..
Please be advised that I have found nothing objectionable or derisive in your said email which may give rise to suspicion of it being offensive or capable of being construed as such.
Accordingly, approval is hereby granted for you to make multiple travels out of Singapore to visit Young Richard without further reference to me .
Yours faithfolly,
Timothy Liu
Knn, Edwin, you siao huh, you want me to treat you like an ah pek kid or what??
Dear Tim,
Sorry, my man, gear box jammed! These air-cond fellows fixing my bedroom unit now kept walking around in circles, sometime like doing a vodoo dance thing, when I am trying real hard to find the alphabets to type!
Regards,
Edwin Chen
For the disabled seniors and non-ambulant, homes will remain as both as publicly or privately funded care institutions.
For the majority of the ambulant senior population, there will be a myriad of solutions. The solution to aging population will be largely privatized and securitized. This means you have more options. This means also that you need more money to exercise those options.
If noney not enough then you better start thinking of working longer, aggressive investments, downgrading or migration. Standing still is not an option then.
Dear Ron/Allrounder,
How’s your prospecting trip on Malaysian soil for a venue to built SHC’s first batch of retirement village huts? Hope the place has pairs of coconut trees for our hammocks too! Tim, you can sing Man In The Net for us!
Down forget to check on the current purchase price for a Malaysian PR status plus Dato title!!
Thanks again for your concern and dropping by my place this evening, I appreciate it very much.
Regards,
Edwin Chen
Hi Edwin,
Your Post sounds exciting. I have heard many good words on your talents and gift of music.
When you are ready, may I ask you to share with us your vision of this concert, even if it is the mini-concert.
Terence Seah
Hi all,
Tim , Patrick you are our Canto/Hokkien King Singers who may bring lots of happiness to the listeners of the shows that Edwin does for charity. So all others who can sing or dance,or can play any musical instrument and who think they can enjoy, come and join in the troupe.
Who knows you may be good enough some day to perform in your next company D n D also besides the Charity events ?
So for those who want to join us, list your name here and we will contact you. We will start with Karaoke sessions for fun , using live band music with Edwin as the music maestro to lead the rest of those who can play.
Karaoke sessions will mostly likely be at Tanglin Community CC, with the live band (Edwin and our own musicians like Andrew, Daniel ) tailoring the music to suit your singing style and discover the talent in you .
Who knows we can polished Tim or Patrick to be the next Roman Tham of Singapore, ok , maybe within all the listeners of the old age home. Hey , but it is still something right, if you enjoy doing it ?
So Clara, Caroline , Susan get your kakis and bring your favorite songs and join us for the coming Live Band Karaoke with Edwin and Company soon. Limited participants as Live Band room (bigger room) in Tanglin can cater to about 20 people or so.
Probable date and time, Mondays starting at 6.30pm – 9.30pm. Tanglin CC, Music Studio room. Can start with a group as small as 5 persons, using a smaller room. So those who are interested, let us know.
Cheers
Hi Edwin Chen & Allrounder
I am interested to join the live band karaoke as singer. I can sing Mardarin, Hokkien, Cantonese & English songs and also speak Mandarin, English & some Malay languages. As for dialects are Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese, there should be no problem joining you all to perform in old folks home. I can also do simple social dance like cha cha, Square dance, Disco dance and also line dancing. I ever attended live band music class before.
If the practise day is not on Monday night, I would like to join you all, as I have singing class on that night, otherwise, I have to be absent from the class.
Cheers
Annie Loh
Dear Terence,
Thank you for your very kind words. I hope what you heard about mortal me came from the right source. Otherwise, I may be once again be highlighted as a braggart!
I have been checking on a few convenient venues, Chinese Swimming Club, MYMCA/ Stevens Road or the Mercure Hotel to have a “talk shop” of sorts, where the interim sub-committe could meet and map out the details.
Ron, Clara or myself will revert to you once this is finalized.
Regards and God Bless,
Edwin Chen
Yes Ronald. I love to sing. I’ve been to pubs where they have “live” bands and I enjoy singing with them. That was a long time ago.
Nowadays, we are so dependent on the lyrics and prompt on the screen during karaoke that we tend to forget the lyrics and sometimes miss the tempo when we sing with a “live” band. Its quite challenging trying to remember the lyrics, keep with the tempo and look cool all at the same time.
Please include me on your name list. Many thanks :D
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Dear Annie,
We welcome you on board. Go ahead with your class, join us when able. Trained voices are always welcomed!
Regards,
Edwin Chen
Edwin, if you hang a hammock there, you think I want to start singing that silly “Man in the Net” huh? Wd rather use it as a standby safety net for Veron (Lee) or catch fish to feed you & other SHCians working so hard on the concert.
Allrounder, yes, if duty beckons, I wont shirk it. So if the folks in the homes so wish, I’ll sing “Muneero Valliba”. And if Patrick agrees to do yeh fong polishing wang sa’s apple with me, why not?
Seriously, I am game anytime on weekends to bring some laughs to inmates of homes, not necessarily old folks homes, if they find my gigs still palatable.
Hi all,
We need a bigger pool of singers, musicians, entertainers, dancers , DJs and even actors to do sketches. Like what Edwin has mentioned it is a concert and he is ready and willing to guide us.
All of us may not have another lifetime after Silverhairs, to do what you have not done and want to do, so step forward if just want to drop in to find out what is right for you.
Hopefully, we can form an entertainment group with the Silver Hairs theme , ‘Down the Silver Lane, (instead of ‘Down Memory Lane)’ that sings old songs from ‘ Patches’ to 80’s Hot numbers of the Bee Gees ,etc that can not only entertain ‘Old Age Homes’ but maybe also at your company D n D functions.
So we have to cater for the whole package, Sound systems, DJs, Compere , Jokers, in addition to singing and music. So if any of you have such experience or talent, this could be one of our ‘Blue Helmet’ project but in a more colorful Hat ?
Cheers
Would love to play my little role to bring cheers to the old folks. However, I am actively employed and won’t be able to present during weekdays but can slot in over the weekends.
When I was looking at the post originally, I hv the impression that this concert will be held at old folks’ home. But reading from comment just a while ago, dun seem to be this way. Did I misunderstood this?
If a concert is supposed to be away from old folks’ home, then there are lots of issues to be taken care of.
First being the cost factor, it would definitely cost so much since now, venue is needed instead of at home site.
Second, special care and transportation must be well taken care of for these old folks to avoid any mishappening as 1 should realise that these old folks are definitely not so mobile – another additional cost added plus additional helpers is definitely a must besides those musicians/singers, rite?
Thirdly, is how much each SHC members hv to pay, assuming that the ratio is 1 member sponsor 1 old folk for this event. What is the intended amount in mind to charge SHC members then. If the ticket to attend this concert is on the high side, then we might not have good response at all…
I would very much like to know what is the cost/pax to attend this concert leh.
Dolly, you misunderstood nthg.
From old folks’ home to a community hall to, ultimately, the durian…….this is progress, as much as we had once lived in caves and now in penthouses nthg less than the st regis league.
Personally, I still relish the opportunity to spend time with the old, feeble and lonely, and hopefully, bring them laughs without having to work so hard at it.
I aint a performer and so wont want to be perturbed by the thought of having to perform up to a certain standard expected by a discerning & paying audience. Older folks are more forgiving as all they want is to kill time/loneliness even if it’s for just half a day.
I agree with Dolly that cost and logistics are some issues which must be looked into very carefully if we were to move the performance to outside of homes.
See, when Dolly doesnt spend her time doing the waggle danz with frankenstein at st james, she can think like einstein and so puts the organisers in a bind. Haha.
Hi all,
There is really no cost other than your own transportation and what ever you want to spend on yourself (to dress up ) or to improve your voice (royal honey), or musical instrument (if you feel you want to enjoy more) ,etc.
We will only be joining Edwin on his rounds to cheer the old folks and making it a little noisier and visually more exciting either entertaining or giving them something to laugh about. The concert is just to spruce up and add variety to the yearly functions they have during festive seasons like Xmas, etc.
So it is more about getting a group together that can enjoy singing as a group, a band ,etc but of course we need to do some practice to co-ordinate, synchronise and act well.
For all of you that is your mission and task (to sing,play a musical instrument, do and act, etc) as the rest of the logistics will be taken care of by another group or other kind souls.
Cheers
Dear Edwin,
Thanks for your prompt response to my message, really appreciate that.
As for helping out, I am game but am definitely not a singer, however can be part of group of back-up singers? Or help in other areas perhaps?
Will work out what I can do when I attend your meeting. See you!
Hi Ronald. Besides the music, you think I can make some cup cakes for them too. But I need to have at least a couple of days notice. You think its ok to bake for them. I know I am on the wrong channel but just trying.
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Hi there dear Caroline,
I am sure cupcakes with less sugar will be warmly received by the old folks. That is certainly a very sweet thought on your part. If you need help for the baking, pls let me know so I can learn to bake and taste the (delicious I am sure) cakes at the same time. Food for thought hehe!
Catherine
Sorry Ronald. On second thoughts, I will bake only for my regular old folks in Woodlands :(
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Hi all,
All ideas, suggestions, feedback are welcome. Dolly when we have really become a really successful company like ‘Silver Hats’ then we will need someone like you to managed our finances and sales. For the time being most equipment will be on rental if these are not provided and will be paid for from the small fee that they pay.
For the singers, start thinking of the songs that you will like to perform and sent the titles/lyrics if you have to us. Edwin and us, will start to work the music arrangement and then plan a time in smaller groups of 2 or 3 to do the practice and songs.
For musicians like Daniel, Vincent, Andrew , are you ready to meet and have a jam session , at least for fun if just to try out ?
Also anyone else, who have other talent like dancing, entertaining etc do give this a try just for the fun and there is no serious obligation for the start only if it is from your heart. Like Tim says, it is the smile you bring to the old folks, and they do appreciate your effort rather than the need to be perfect.
Edwin has kindly offered to take us under his wings, and with experience in many areas other than music and performing, to get us started in a hobby that you can enjoy , and to ‘Raise us up to more than we can be’.
I hope we take it just as that, he may have sounded demanding as a perfectionist, critical ,etc but that is his ideal as a technicalist but as a person he is very down to earth ,fun loving, very direct and straight, friendly and easy to be with as Clara and me will strongly vouched.
So for all those who responded, Annie, Caroline, Catherine , Rene, Tim and anyone else, start sending us your songs. Tim and Patrick being the more talented , we can worked with you at a later stage, but it is ok to send us your repertoire.
Caroline, how about baking for us in this troupe then, now you have Cat as your assistant ? Not too often though , you ladies need to stay in shape (to shake and dance, lah) especially your assistant. More singing not eating i hope ??
Hi Allrounder,
Wah sey, I nvr knew that my level of English understanding so aw tak till today leh.. so sad :(
When I read Comment#14, I seriously think that a concert is going to held elsewhere beside home. But since ur Comment#22, proves otherwise and glad that you clarified my doubts. Thank you.
As for ur comment# 27, I will take that as a compliment. But YewKwong is always in most SHC members’ mind including mine that he is always the best financial controller/adviser lor – He is definitely a better choice than me lor..
Hi Edwin, Roland,
This concert project is to start with providing entertainment for old folks confined in “old folks’ homes” . Are the volunteers supposed to do the concert singing for once a week, once a month or once every 2 months ? Are they supposed to visit the old folks on the week-days or week-ends ? I would appreciate that you clarify that so that the members can look into their work & time schedules so as to decide whether they can volunteer their time for the project ! Thanks, Bernie
Dear Bernadette,
For the initial stage, it will be weekdays.
Depending on the response, the schedule’s frequency will be set accordingly.
Thanks for your interest, regards.
Edwin Chen
I too read it the same way as Dolly did, that the concert was supposed to be held at old folks home to entertain the folks there altho later comments brought in the community halls.
If that’s th case, cost relating to hall-rental, transportation to take the folks there & back will be incurred. I cant see 2 ways abt it but if there’s assurance that there wont be cost, I am happy with that.
I am trying to find Patrick to convince him that he can again be macho, be feared, put his size and muscles to good use if he agrees to play the king of the jungle in “Wu Song wallop the Tiger” with me.
Think it shd excite him if I choose the bengal tiger, which is very rare, for him and tie a ribbon (in place of a turban) up there to add greater realism of a bengali.
Quite sure the old folks will love & idolise him after the play.
Me too :)
Wow Tim, kam sia, at least now I know my ‘ang mo’ quite ok lor since u also hv d same frequency as mine…
Aiyo, Patrick will be busy la.. you din know that he is appointed to be the event organiser for shc games day meh…
Haha, thanks Caroline for liking the idea and thanks also, Dolly, for letting me know that Patrick’s the games day organiser.
We can expect many pretty gals flanking him on that day and help expand the play to include pang jing lien & sisters. Terence, pls put down your hand, we are not calling for a simon heng audition yet.
See, the last time we walked thru Lor 10-Lor 18 Geylang, all the gals there rushed up in droves to hug him (and I managed to get a few hugs in the commotion) while the pai kias stood on the side, heads bowed and said “tua chek, nin hao, huan yin kuang ning”.
(We had to walk home…….what else can we do when our wallets, mobiles even my marlboro went missing?)
With that kind of respect he commands, how can Patrick be anythg less that King Tiger?
(Heeeee, hope this will stir Patrick out of his slumber to at least make a cameo appearance in this forum where he’s missed)
Hi Allrounder,
Just read your posting,it will be nice to get together for a jam.BTW, do we have a bass guitarist within our pool of musicians?
Rgds
Hi Allrounder
The song I intended to sing is Emil Chow’s ‘Peng You'(mandarin song), which can be founded in Clara’s Sing-along session’s email MP3 attachment. should there be any problem of getting the lyrics, I can provide the song sheet.
In old folks home, the song need to be selective, better not to sing sad songs as old age need to be cheer up.
Annie Loh
Hi all,
Seems this Sunday’s Sing-a-long session will be a good time to meet and sort out the suitable arrangements.
So, do bring whatever song or music sheets you have and make me a copy, so that i can try to work out the right key for you and can then pass it to Edwin to arrange the music.
Knowing most of you all are still working, we have to find a way to effectively make the best use of whatever time we have and we can also work with smaller groups of people, at different times.
So let’s communicate more through email, messenger, mp3 recordings etc to help us. So once Edwin has done the arrangements of your songs, we will send the recordings in MP3 to you so that you can practice on your own at home. This applies to all musicianas playing drums, guitar, organ etc, you can try to work along with the recording, so that when we do meet, tentatively as plan will be on Mondays from 3pm to 9.30pm. Those who are working can always come after work, and it should not take more than a 30 mins for each singer. So Annie, song noted but will need at lest 3 songs from each singer so that Edwin can have a better feel of your range.
For those like Caroline, Cat, Bernatte, Tim and Patrick too, appreciate if you take some time to send me your songs. Hopefully I can get them on Sunday.
As for performance at Old age homes or elsewhere, it is hope that there will be a big pool of singers and dancers, such that there is at least a couple of singers available to perform at any event.
So rest assured you will be not be prosticuted if you can’t make it for any event, unless you are such a hot singer and the old folks ‘die die’ must hear you before they can fly off in peace.
For info, still working out with Edwin, to see if he can make it on Sunday.
Cheers
Seriously, if Patrick is game for a skit along the lines of wangsa & yehfong, and has the time to work it out, we will. For sure, there wont be a wusong pak lau hor……..the lau hor tho missing a few teeth still has enough bite to grind this wusong to bits.
I prefer to take a back seat if the response is good but if needed will bring this mandarin song “ke ai de ren sheng” (pleasant life) to my seniors.
(Anyone with the lyrics, please ?)
Hi Allrounder
Another 2 songs from me will be:
(1) Jin nen it tin hua ken how (this year will definitely be better) – Hokkien song;
(2) Min yuet chin le chee siang si (moon light send memory to thousand miles) – Mandarin old song.
I will bring the above 2 song sheets with ‘pen yu’ song sheet to this Sunday gethering.
If any of the member need mandarin/hokkien song sheets, just inform me via email , if I have it, I will bring along.
Annie Loh
Annie, nice if you do hv these songs (1) Mama Hou (2) Xiao Bai Zuan (3) Mien Ee (4) Zuo Huo Cher (5) Xiao Yen Jih
Those were the songs broadcasted by the then Radio Spore every wkday at 5.30 p.m. telling me that Mom was on her way to visit me at the Middleton Hospital………………
Tim Liu
Are you joking, why you need all these children songs, don’t tell me you are preparing to sing in ‘Children’s home’. If you really keen, I will try to find them from the school teacher or else where.
Annie,
You’ll agree with me that these songs contain beautiful lyrics, are soothing & suitable for everyone on any occasion.
In fact if more of us sing this type songs, not the hard rock black metal ping ping pong ping type, life will surely be less stressful, a lot more gracious with few needing to pop pills for blood pressure control.
I hv tried looking for these songs without success. Hope you’re 1 up on me here.
Tim Liu
I just found 2 of the songs from primary school song book, ie Xiao Bai Zuan & Zuo Huo Cher, not in time to make photo copies, will bring to Batam tomorrow. There are other beautiful song like ‘The More We Get Together’.