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