Do we have "Singapore Music"?

Following from a lecture a few weeks ago, where half of it was supposed to be on Singapore music, the lecturer turned around to ask us Singaporeans (he's German) if we knew what Singapore music is/was. Is there really an identity to our music, or for that matter, for any art form?

Honestly, I feel that we don't really have that much of a national identity/character in our music. As pointed out, our music is basically broken up into the 4 main cultural groups - Chinese, Malay, Indian, Western. Even if we did a fusion of these 4 types, it is still distinctly drawing from these 4 cultural groups. The lecturer also pointed out that for fusion, what we do here is on a superficial level, i.e. fusing famous music and/or instruments, and thus, in a sense, not exactly original. It is unlike other parts of Southeast Asia or Asia, e.g. Javanese gamelan & Thai music, that has some distinctive characteristic in the melodies & instruments. Thus, the search for a Singapore identity in music (or any art form for that matter) is still ongoing.

However, one might argue that that is what Singapore music is about - adaptations. We adapt all the different influences we have to blend in with our culture & society (racial harmony?). And it shows our character as a nation; that we can (creatively) adapt to situations, and don't necessary follow a pattern...we are dynamic. As also emphasized (in class) before, this exemplifies the fact that music is social, i.e. music happens in a social setting. Maybe we don't have "traditional" music like other regions, but Singapore pop music scene? I like to feel proud that our Singapore songwriters have made a mark and influenced the Chinese pop music scene and their music is exported.

However, we do have some distinct genres to speak of, although they are not widespread/cross-cultural (in a sense). An example is 新谣 (xin yao). It basically translate as Singapore folk songs which was popular in the 1980s. (some info) We have well-known songwriters (& singers) like 许环良、梁文福、黎沸挥，李伟菘、偲菘兄弟 & 巫启贤 born of that era. There is a certain flavour to the songs that is different from what we know as pop music today.
And who can dismiss the distinct character of our National Day songs? Although we see our songs evolving to be very "pop" these days, the older songs, once heard would inadvertently give us the notion "this is definitely a National Day song", even if it were heard for the first time.

A further analysis into the arts:
Do we use art to express what we "can't" normally do in regular life, like satires? Just like our theatre...in fact, if you noticed, our theatrical arts has a very unique flavour especially our satires, and you must be living in Singapore to fully appreciate the references. I would say we focus on what's in the content, the witticism in the words used.

To donate or not to donate?

Just now, on my way home, I was waylaid at Raffles City by a guy who purported to be authorised to collect donations for an orphanage by NCSS (he displayed a paper certificate & his IC). He was rather aggressive and I declined.

Not that I'm unkind or anything, but I'm usually quite suspicious of these street collectors and if they're for real. I think I used to be a bit too gullible and I believe I must have been bluffed a few times (considering the news articles that says some are frauds). After all, paper certs can be forged...well then that's another legal matter altogether. So now, my policy is to donate only in 2 situations - either direct to the organisation or those school flag-day event. I think that's safer (despite of the NKF incident). Don't want to benefit those syndicates you know in case it is really fraudulent.

Anyway, coming back to the guy, he actually tried to convince me again, but I declined yet again. Maybe I had looked like I was softening up and probably like those that can easily be persuaded, so he tried again. After that, he was very frustrated.

As I was walking away, in a way intimidated by this person, I'm not sure if I heard wrongly or he was saying something else to his counterpart not far away (probably I heard wrongly), I thought he said "sadist". I was a bit shocked & as I looked at him, he said it again, though he wasn't exactly looking at me. So I was quite upset after that, although I might have heard wrongly, coz the word doesn't really fit into the context (not donating to the orphanage = sadism???).

In the 1st place, I don't think they're allowed to collect monies like this in the shopping centre. Secondly, if people don't want to donate, should they behave this way (if I did hear correctly) or try to force you to donate?

Anyway, should we donate or not? There's always this conflict of whether it's for real and the feeling of guilt if it is for real and you didn't donate.

猜字谜

几天前， 我在电视上看了一部综艺节目。节目里出了几道字谜题让参赛者猜。 我就在这儿举出我所记得的两项题目：

1）重逢
2）喜上眉头

（答案在"comments"里）

主的救泉

I finally did a recording of my new song. I presented this song at the latest Songcraft session, which was also our 1st anniversary. The uploaded quality doesn't seem so good compared to hearing from my laptop, so you might need to turn up your speakers. But at least you can get a taste of it.


powered by ODEO

I feel this is 1 of my better songs coz the tune is nice and easier to follow. The lyrics & background of the song were given in an earlier post. Here's the English translation of the lyrics.

The Lord's Redeeming Spring
You are my life's clear spring
Cleansing me of my sins
You are the blameless Lamb
Whose blood was spilled at the cross

My Lord, I have gained eternal life because of your love.
Jesus, my Saviour, only you can shelter me.

Feel free to give comments.

An Inconvenient Truth

I went for a screening of this today at the National Library. The show was surprisingly very interesting and in a way compelling to a certain extent. It's a documentary about global warming and was presented by Al Gore as he spoke about the impact and a call for action of mankind to play a part in resolving this. Really, it was him speaking all the way, but somehow, it was quite well put together such that it wasn't boring. I was quite moved at certain parts. 1 of the quotations he gave that really stuck in my mind was 1 of Churchill's:

"The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences."

It is like we are reaping what we had sown. What would become of this earth? Another great flood?

It was a pity he didn't win the elections back then.

Why Do I Sing About Jesus?

Last night, during cell, my cell leader asked me why I write songs about Jesus/GOD (this was more to incite reflection and also a tie-in with the last sermon on the above-said topic).

I started to reflect on this and all I can say is He is worthy to be praised. Out of love, out of wonder, out of faith, etc. Are there words to describe? He is a loving & compassionate GOD, ever faithful, and simply that He is Lord. He never fails to amaze me and it is good to walk in intimacy with Him. I believe that we're made to worship.

"Does it signify your priorities in life?" my cell leader asked. I guess it does in a way. I always try to put GOD 1st when making decisions and stuff, but as humans often do, we tend to miss a footing from time to time when situations in life seem to take away your focus. Worship is not just about singing songs. It is also how you walk with GOD. I thank GOD that at the "crucial" point, He will always prompt me with "don't forget to speak to me" and a prayer always helps. Despite our forgetfulness (& thus faithlessness), GOD is faithful and He is always holding our hand to make sure we don't fall & hurt ourselves badly. Beat that!

I also believe that the songs I sing about Jesus are really what the Spirit leads me to pen down.

"no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit"
~ 1 Corinthians 12:3

Another more "practical" reason is that 1 of my "dreams" is to write worship songs as a form of ministry. I'm not very outspoken verbally and it is only through writing that I can express things. In this case, I pray that I can minister to people through worship. I do hope this is really the gift that GOD has given me. I pray that GOD will continue to let me be led by the Spirit to write these songs. Only then will the songs mean something.

I'm a simple person and thus write simple songs. You know what, you don't need a song that's too complicated to talk about Jesus. Simply worship. (guess what, I was once told that I am one who worships GOD in a simple way)

A Chinese Worship Song

I finally got down to writing a Chinese worship song (yeah! 1 resolution fulfilled). Haven't got a title for it yet, but I'll just share the lyrics. Haven't had time to record it yet too, and also have been down with the flu.

你是我生命的清泉
将我罪孽洗纯净
你是那无罪的羔羊
将血流尽十字架

Chorus:
啊。。。我的主
因为你的爱让我获得永生
唔。。。耶稣我的救主
只有你能把我护

© 2008

This song was written as part of a songwriting exercise when someone suggested that we (Songcraft) all try to write a song with the chord progression "C F G C Am F G C" and see if they would sound the same. Well, I started trying out the chords (yeah! learnt to play a new chord) and somehow, the tune followed. I just did some “la la la” humming and added the words later. Although it was an “exercise” the words were actually rather focused coz I wanted to build up on the theme "All About The Cross", and of course from the heart. I had initially intended to add another verse, but due to my "rusty" Chinese and that the verse started to make the song complex (too many relational aspects), I decided to keep it simple & stick to the theme.

I had always wanted to write a Chinese worship song and the chords were just right…it sounded like those Chinese worship songs that were sung in church.

Gamelan Playing Test

Oh dear, I had my gamelan playing test (as a group) today and I fared really badly...maybe even failed! Yikes! wonder how it would affect my grades.

1st it was nerves...somehow my hands seemed a bit slow & stiff and I couldn't really focus on the drum beats or the melody. Furthermore, I was like half-deaf today due to my flu, so even harder to catch the notes.

*sigh* Normally during practice is ok leh...not fantastic, but better.

Flesh and Blood

I was on my way to church in the MRT this morning when I started thinking about people and their problems (in general) and about healing (whether emotional or spiritual). Don't ask me why, but I just started pondering lah. It was something like a conversation and this came upon me:

Even if others may not fully understand what you're going through, GOD does and feels the same thing as what you're feeling (you know, the "I understand how you feel" tagline). Why? Because you are His flesh & blood.

Woah. How is this so? Firstly, we are now His heirs. And what does "heirs" translate to? Sons & daughters, which translates to being His flesh & blood.

Secondly (hope I put this across correctly), we have been redeemed by the price of? Yes, you've guessed it - His flesh & blood, the Son of GOD, Jesus.

Wow, that's the extent of GOD's love and doesn't it tell you how precious you are to Him? Amazing.

Violin Masterclass with Dr. Maurice Sklar

Hee hee...this is long overdue. Attended the masterclass last Saturday. My church had invited a worship violinist, who's a Messianic Jew, to play at our Sanctification Weekend services, so in between, they organised a masterclass session with him. (It was also the church's bid to recruit a string ensemble...not that I'm ready to join now lah).

Well, I had stopped playing the violin for more than 10 years and had stopped at Grade 3 (used to be in my primary school's string ensemble). I had for some time thought if I should pick up the violin again, especially for worship purpose...ok, it's not really a "should", but have been procrastinating.

Good thing I discovered that my ear was still sensitive to the sounds of the violin and was a little inspired to start practising my violin again. However, what was really enriching was Dr. Sklar's sharing during the session. He's a very humorous person (haha...he joked about his name that if he was at a restaurant and wanted more rice, it was like calling his name. "Mau-rice" vs "more rice").

He talked a bit about how the musical instruments evolved even from the time of David & its relation to worship. Also, he gave some examples of instruments that have already reached perfection and you can't really make anything better in this age (a some were already perfected centuries ago), e.g. the violin, the oboe, the timpani, etc. Also, the violin is regarded as an acoustically perfect musical instrument.

What really stayed in my mind was when he mentioned about the old & new tabernacle worship. In the Old Testament days during the old covenant with GOD, only Levites were authorised to perform the necessary in the courts, so people would need to go through the Levites (priests) and were not really permitted to enter His presence unless authorised or else he/she would be put to death.
However, we are now in the covenant of grace, which is the foundational truth we believe in, that Jesus died for us and redeemed us. So we have been given the authority to enter into GOD's presence directly. Hence, we do not need to go through priests, etc. to commune with GOD.

(It's sometimes amazing how things that you think you know sort of get "revealed" to you in a deeper way.)

And indeed, he mentioned something that I firmly believe in - that when in heaven, all we will be doing will be to worship GOD... can you just imagine the sight, the sound. It's (forgive the pun) heavenly.