AJCO Treasure Hunt 2008 (Part 2)

You may want to tilt your head to the left. Thanks Erik for the video, Kian Hock and Lijia for the photographs.

奇灵大叔的脖子扭到了

AJCO Treasure Hunt 2008

Have you ever wonder why we join AJCO & AJCAACO? For me, I think it’s because of the people over here. Regardless of our status on Earth, whether we are students, NSF, teachers, composers, musicians, lecturers, businessmen, etc, we are still driven together as a family. AJC might not be the top JC in Singapore, but I can always feel the warmth from the people I’ve met over here. How I wish I’m a student again in AJCO. But of course, not going through ‘A’ level again.

Juniors’ camp was coming soon. We were busy preparing for their night game. With the help of Hui Ting, Seok Hwee, Kah Hoe, Peow Ee and Qiu Ting, we managed to recce for possible clues to focus our cameras on.

After a tour round the school, we finally settled with a few pictures. Can you guess where these clues will lead you too?

11th Dec arrived in a twinkling of an eye. We ordered pizzas for our juniors. However, due to the constraint of our budget, we didn’t order much. Just enough for everyone, assuming every junior consumes a slice of pizza. 真的是吃不饱，但是也饿不死。So Sorry...

Delegation of work soon began when the facilitators reached school. It’s turning dark, and Mr Ng was still conducting while we prepared for the treasure hunt.

X (to protect the person’s identity): I want to drink bubble tea.

XX (to protect another person’s identity): Me too.

XXX (to protect the 3rd person’s identity): Let’s go and buy now.

X: Can we?

Qi Ling: Ok, ok, but make it a fast one. We’ll be starting in 30mins time according to the schedule.

Ten minutes later…

Yao Zhong: Qi Ling, we have finished our practice.

Qi Ling: Huh?! Ok. (Calling X via mobile phone) Where are you guys now?

X: We are buying some bread.

Qi Ling: Huang Sheng is out! We are beginning very soon.

X: Oh s***! We’re coming back now.

The juniors were tired, thus we suggested them to take a ‘short’ break. After that, Felicia and Yao Zhong arranged the juniors into their groups, while Peow Ee started off the treasure hunt with a very detailed story.

Fortunately, X, XX and XXX (I couldn’t remember if there is any other XXXX or XXXXX) were back in time. The treasure hunt and the station games went on as planned. Erm… Almost as planned. Ok, quite as planned.

I should write no more since a picture says a thousand words. The following should be enough to tell you a chapter.

Many thanks to the facilitators who had taken time off their busy schedule for this event. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves. And our dear juniors too! Hope you guys have enjoyed as well. Sorry for all the lame stuff. Merry Christmas! Jiayou for SYF next year! Y’all can do it! 我们永远支持你们！

奇灵大叔的记事簿

Forever 18 美女 Erhu Rectial...

One of our AJCO prides, Miss Heng Lena - a full time professional Erhu musician, is going to have her Erhu solo recital soon. As part of AJCO, please show some support. Siew Hwa and I will be involved as accompaniments. While 22 bucks is too pricey to watch any performing arts groups, 22 bucks is super worth it to watch the forever 18 美女 perform on stage. If you are lucky, you might caught her tripping as she walked towards the center stage (remember years ago during an alumni concert?). Please leave your name either in the AJCAACO yahoo group or in the tagboard if you want to catch a glimpse of the forever 18 美女 in action. Here are the details:

Date: 14th December 2008 (A Beautiful Sunday for A Beautifullest Musician)
Time: 5:00pm (After Concert Can Go For AJCAACO Gathering)
Venue: The Arts House (Near Asian Civilisation Museum! Where???)
Ticket Price: $22 (The Price To Pay To See The Beautifullest of All)

@@ AJCO - The Talents Go Beyond AJC @@
***Liang Ah Lucas***

Society of Wear - Serene's Fashion Shop

Our cute, lovely, young, extrovert, sweet and beautiful AJCAACO member, Serene Ong (23rd AJCO Pipa Player) has a natural business acumen. Only in her first year in NUS, Serene is already a co-owner and the model of an online shop "Sociedad De Uso" - Society of Wear which sells female fashion apparels. See website URL: http://de-uso.livejournal.com/. Perhaps Serene can give a discount to those from AJCAACO?

(Top): Sweet, Sexy-looking Serene as the model of her e-shop

Guys from AJCAACO:

Please show your support by buying beautiful dresses from Sociedad De Uso for your lovely girlfriends or wives (mistresses excluded)

Gals from AJCAACO:

Please show your support by buying the beautiful and quality fashion wear from Sociedad De Uso.

@@ AJCAACO: Our Members are Multi-Talented @@
~~ Liang Ah Lucas ~~

Wedding of Tan Kah Yong and Angela Cho Fong Yi...

From my humble knowledge regarding the history of AJCO, the wedding of Mr. Tan Kah Yong (14th AJCO) and Mrs. Tan Fong Yi (15th AJCO), which is held on the 14th of September 2008, marks the 3rd AJCO wedded couple. The first is probably between Jack (13th AJCO) and his wife (dunno her name) while the second is Lijun (16th AJCO) and Yu Liang (13th AJCO). And the next? Of course, yours truly and Ms Chu Siew Hwa. Hee Hee!

(Top): Tying the Knots: 15th AJCO Erhu Player & 14th AJCO Sanxian Player

The handsome groom, Kah Yong is one of our most musically talented AJCO alumni. He is very recognized in the local and regional CO music scene as he has arranged and composed a lot of music pieces for professional CO. He is the pride of AJCO. The beautiful bride, Fong Yi, is a loyal fan of CO music. Since her JC days, she has probably attended the most number of SCO concerts as compared to all other AJCO alumni. Both of them are 天生一对. As friends of Kah Yong and Fong Yi, all of us are so happy to see them as husband and wife now.

(Top): Me and Kian Kiat (Kah Yong's best men) 'delivering' the roasted pig

(Top): One of the AJCO table consisting of Jianwei, Mr and Mrs Tan,
Kian Kiat, Guo Yong, Si Hui, Hui Yi, Fong Yi, Kah Yong, Wen Yin, Peijun.

(Top): One of the AJCO table consisting of Lijia, Yu Feng, Hui Ling, Xiuhua, Me,
Zhaoyan, Wenyan, Fong Yi, Kah Yong, Serene, Mervin and Kian Kiat.

(Top): The wacky and crazy people of AJCO.

@@ AJCAACO: Love for Music and People @@
~~ Liang Ah Lucas ~~

We Are On Newspaper Again...

A few months back, AJCAA cultural performers were featured on the newspaper for The Reunion: A Cultural Performance by AJCAA. This time, AJCAACO is featured in page 9 of 现在早报 (24th Sept 2008).

It is not an easy task to gather alumni of any schools after years of graduation. However, AJCAACO has done it. SPH student reporters have formed an alumni group as well. I especially love this photograph (see below) as it shows two groups of alumni in the same photograph. And Miss Ang Feng Ling is an alumni of both the SPH student reporter and AJCO.

Though AJCAACO is not the key feature in this newspaper article, but at least we are mentioned (see the newspaper for the words "安初校友华乐团") and our (blurred and small) faces are shown on the photograph. Thank you Feng Ling for including us in the picture and the news. =)

One fine day, AJCAACO will be on headlines (for positive news of course). Yeah!!!

@@ AJCAACO: We Are On Newspaper Again @@
~~~ Liang Ah Lucas ~~~

Singapore Press Holding Mid Autumn Performance...

7th September 2008 is the first time AJCAACO performed for Singapore Press Holding (SPH) at Toa Payoh. Miss Ang Feng Ling, AJC Chinese Teacher and 16th AJCO Batch Erhu Player, hosted the SPH event - Friday Weekly Students Correspondents Alumni Lantern Festival. After a few weeks of night practices and Saturday sessions, the AJCAACO members have sacrificed much of their precious time to make this performance a success. It was really enjoyable and fun as we get to perform and participate in their activities as well. Here are some photographs for you to enjoy! Also, some thank you messages from our president Teng Qi Ling for all who have helped out in one way or another!

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Feng Ling (Ms Ang) and Zhiwei, for giving AJCAACO this opportunity to perform for SPH. You guys were really great audience. We really look forward to our next collaboration. =)" - Qi Ling

"Next, we would like to thank Ms Siau, Mr Goh, Ms Chua and our dear AJCO juniors. Thank you teachers for your time and effort for coordinating the practice timings, drawing keys (especially to Ms Siau for the gate keys on the performance day), providing practice venue and so much more. We really appreciate your assistance. Many thanks to the juniors as well for sharing your instruments with us, all the best for your promos and 'A' level! Mr Goh, need to Ma Fan you to help us let the juniors know, THANKS!" - Qi Ling

"In addition, we would also like to express our gratitude to the school security guards, school attendants and OM, Mr Sim, for their assistance during the practices. Ms Siau, sorry to trouble you again but kindly thank them on our behalf. ^^" - Qi Ling

"Last but not least, a toast to all the performers (Mervin, Wanting, Siew Hwa, Zhiliang, Zhi Yin, Juan Juan, Qiuting, Michelle, Kwang Ying, Serene, Xiao Ting, Erik, Xuan Wan, Wang Han, Yong Xue, Hui Ping, Hwee Teng, Huiling, Kian Kiat, Peow Ee), the EXCO, the score librarians (Tat Kuan and Qiuting), the music coordinators (Lena, Xiao Ting and Zhiliang) and the almost-become-performer-performers, I am sorry to flood your mobile phones and emails with messages. Thank you for playing a part in helping to make this performance a success. Do keep a look-out for our celebration around 11th October (Tentative)" - Qi Ling.

This is a good start for AJCAACO as it is our aspirations to bring music to corporate functions and casual events organized by societies. Jiayou AJCAACO!!! May our AJCAA Music Ensemble prosper under the guidance of Teng Qi Ling - AJCAACO 4th Batch President.

@@ AJCAACO - We Perform for Special Occasions @@
~~~ Liang Ah Liang ~~~

BBCO Concert - Do Support Them!!!

Dear All, Bukit Batok CC Chinese Orchestra will be having a performance on the 24th of August 2008, 6:00pm at Singapore Conference Hall. The repertoire of the concert is shown on the poster. Please do support the CO because many AJCO juniors will be performing i.e. Tan Hwee Teng, Chen Wanting,Teo Zhiyin, Yeo Yao Sheng, Tan Qiuting, Seet Kwang Ying, Vivian Ang, Yip MeiPheng, Luo Fook Hong.

Any interested individuals, please leave your name in the tagboard and we will get the respective I.C. to contact you. Hope to see many AJC Alumni CO people attending the concert.

Liang Ah Lucas

AJCO CIP at The Singapore Cheshire Home

On August 2nd 2008, members of AJCO woke up very early to prepare for a meaningful morning. They are bringing their love for Chinese orchestral music to the Singapore Cheshire Home by performing some musical pieces. Led by Mr Goh Kunli, the students have shown a lot of enthusiasm and love for the marginalized community in the 'Home'.

3 AJCAACO members i.e. Qi Ling (New AJCAACO President), Peow Ee (New AJCAACO Vice-President) and me (AJCAACO music coordinator) went to give their utmost support on that Saturday morning. Let me give everyone a short and sweet and heartwarming account of what happened on that morning with a pictorial journey...

(Top): Student performers getting onto the bus and the van.

(Top): Students getting off the bus at Cheshire Home.

(Top): The Singapore Cheshire Home in Serangoon Gardens.

(Left): Our hyperactive president - Teng Qi Ling was up on the lorry to unload the bulky instruments. Qi Ling was definitely a great help on that day. When we were on the van from AJC to the Singapore Cheshire Home, Qi Ling was 'entertaining' the cello-bass juniors with the lamest jokes he can think of. Well. It works. They were entertained.

Throughout the morning, I was busily snapping photos (and also using that as an excuse to avoid carrying those instruments? Hahaha!). Peow Ee was probably trying to mingle around with the students.

(Top): AJCO and many other friendly schools on the list of visits to Cheshire

AJCO played four catchy and beautiful tunes i.e. 菊花台，快乐的啰嗦，彩云追月，小城故事. We can see that many of the residents are happy to hear music as we can see smiles from their faces.

(Top): AJCO Plucked String and Wind Section during one of the tunes.

(Top): The residents of Singapore Cheshire Home enjoying the performance

After playing the tunes, Mr Goh asked all the students to mingle around with the residents of Cheshire Home. The students were shy and uncomfortable at first (despite they are such warm-hearted students) because they are unable to find the right way to converse and interact with the residents. However, with some brave souls who initiated the approaches towards the residents, AJCO started moving around and chatting with them. All thanks to AJCAACO President Teng Qi Ling, who has taken a first step to talk to the wheelchair bound residents and encouraging AJCO students to follow him. The students even started singing for the residents with them clapping together. Within a few minutes, a shy group of AJCO students have opened up to the residents.

(Top): AJCO student and clapping for and with the residents.

(Top): 3 AJCO erhu players performing 赛马

When finally its time to part, 3 AJCO students still volunteer to perform 赛马 at the exit. I guess they cant get enough of community services. I guess we can expect both AJCO and AJCAACO to appear at The Singapore Cheshire Home soon again. Let's bring music to their doorstep.

@@ AJCO - A Heart-Warming and Lovely Orchestra @@
Liang Ah Lucas

AJCAACO Annual General Meeting 2008

AJCAACO has held its first Annual General Meeting on the 19th July 2008. It is an event to update both members of AJCO and AJCAACO about the past, present and future developments of the alumni orchestra. The 3rd and 4th AJCAACO EXCO will like to express their thanks to those who have attended the AGM especially Miss Siau Fong Fui (AJC Student Affairs HOD), Mr Tan Cham Yong (Former AJCAACO Teacher-In-Charge) and Mr Goh Kun Li (AJCO Teacher). It is also a delight to see Ming Xiong representing his 8th AJCO batch at the AGM.

(Top): Mr Goh updating AJCAACO about the future plans of AJCO.

(Top): Zhiliang highlighting the AJCAACO's achievements under his baton.


AJCAACO Activities/Events 2006

December 2006 - AJCAACO Investiture 2006
December 2006 - Pre-University Sharing Session

AJCAACO Activities/Events 2007

January 2007 - Launching of AJCAACO Blog
January 2007 - AJCAACO Kukup Retreat
January 2007 - Chen Laoshi Farewell Dinner
April 2007 - Support-the-AJCO-SYF Event 2007
August 2007 - AJCAA Cultural Performance "The Reunion"
August 2007 - AJCO Heritage Exhibition
October 2007 - AJCAACO Annual Chalet
December 2007 - AJCAACO Christmas Gathering

AJCAACO Activities/Events 2008

February 2008 - AJCAACO CNY Gathering
February 2008 - Rabobank CNY Function Performance
June 2008 - AJC(AAC)O's BBQ in the Heartlands

Upcoming Projects

AJCAACO Heritage/Score Library
AJCO 25th Anniversary 2009 Organizer
AJCAACO Ensemble

It was a fruitful sharing session with many individuals who have given their precious feedback on how to strength AJCAACO and ensure sustainability and how AJCAACO and AJCO can develop a better symbiotic relationship.

(Top): Participants of the AJCAACO AGM 2008 listening to the speaker.

When Shuzi (23rd AJCO President) mentioned how much AJCO appreciates the alumni's help and support for their Singapore Youth Festival competition, many of the EXCO were touched as Shuzi's heartfelt thanks to the alumni represents the most precious reward to AJCAACO.

Finally, Zhiliang announced the new AJCAACO EXCO and thanks the EXCO members who are stepping down. Also, the 4th AJCAACO President and Vice-President presented the new goals of AJCAACO in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Stay tune for a blog entry about the new AJCAACO EXCO members. =D

@@ AJCAACO - A Sustainable Orchestra @@
Liang Ah Lucas

AJCAACO First President's Wedding...

Here are two photos to share about Lim Kian Kiat's wedding on May 24th 2008 in Swissotel Stamford. He is the first AJCAACO president and the 14th AJCO batch bassist. Due to his charisma as our first AJCAACO leader, many ex-AJCO people attended his wedding to give the couple their blessings.

(Top): A group photo of ex-AJCO members with the wedding couple (KK and his wife). The members ranges from the 13th to the 23rd AJCO batch.

@@ AJCAACO - More AJCAACO Marriages 2 Come @@
**Liang Ah Liang**