Another Successful AJCO Concert (2008)...

The 3th of May is an exciting day for the AJCO 24th batch. It is also a time of get-together for all the AJCO alumni. From Tanjong Pagar MRT station to Singapore Conference Hall, it is inevitable to see familiar faces of EX-AJCO peeps. Other than the forthcoming Lim Kian Kiat's wedding (First Official AJCAACO President), the biannual AJCO concert is always the biggest gathering for all ex-members of AJCO.

After months of intensive practices, the 24th batch of AJCO members have put up a wonderful performance for the audiences. Many of them are first-timers on a performing stage (because AJCO has a long standing culture of recruiting and training greenhorns). Congrats to the 24th AJCO batch. You all are wonderful!!! We want more encores!!!

Top: Our Beautiful AJCO

Top: Encore Encore Encore!!!

Top: AJCO Concert 2008 Encore Piece - 菊花台

While watching the concerts, many of the alumni felt a surge of nostalgia while feeling the impulse to take up their musical instruments and join the AJCO in their performance. However, there are so many constraints after we have left AJCO (such as work and family commitment). Nevertheless, most of the alumni still feel a love for AJCO despite the generation gap and the bond between the different batches of alumni. Here are some photos to share:

Top: The Youngest Alumni with An Old Man. And who is the old man??? It is none other than Zhiliang.

Left: This row comprises of the older alumni group (The oldest AJCO alumni in SCH on that day). Peijun, Wenyin, Huiyi (President) from the 14th AJCO batch. Followed by Tat Kuan (from the 18th AJCO batch) and company (from the relatively younger batch, though still quite old). This group of alumni has been supporting AJCO for the few 8 years and they never fail to attend the biannual concerts.

Top: Alumni sitting together to cheer for AJCO

Top: Benjamin (23rd AJCO), Zhiliang (16th AJCO) and Nigel (23rd AJCO)

Top: Everyone is so happy to be part of the AJCO family

Liang Ah Lucas
~ AJAACO: Always Part of the AJCO family ~

AJCO Concert 2008

This poster, designed by Serene, shows the details of the AJCO biannual concert during the non-SYF year. I hope all the alumni can show support by going down to the concert. Anyone who is interested, please order from me.

Here are the song list:

<<石板腰鼓>> (The Stone Slab Waist Drums)

<<拉德斯基进行曲>> (Radetzky March, Op. 228)

<<闲云孤鹤>> - 中阮二重奏与小组伴奏 (The Solitary Crane Amidst The Clouds)

<<夏日里的舞蹈>> (A Summer Dance)

<<送儿郎>> - 弦乐齐奏 (The Parting)

<<我把世界来周游>> - 弹拨齐奏 (A Trip Round The World)

<<阿佤山>> (The Awa Mountain)

<<闯将令>> (The Valorous General)

Stay Tuned for AJCAACO Website...

AJCAACO will be launching their official website before June 2008. With the help of Serene, Huiling and Zhiliang, a basic website has been created (however not yet published for public viewing).

The primary purpose of the website is to attract AJCO juniors to join Anderson Junior College Alumni Chinese Orchestra (AJCAACO) and update current members about recent news and events. A secondary purpose is to publicize that AJCAACO offers performing services to organizations during various festive occasions.

For anyone who surf this website, (s)he will first be greeted by a musical composition by our very own AJCAACO member, Mr Tan Kah Yong instead of other visual representations (simply because we are from a musical group where sound matters more than images).

Here are some screen shots of the website:

Hopefully with an additional website (on top of our blog), we are able to reach out to more members. Stay tuned for more updates.

@@@AJCAACO - We Have a Blog & Soon A Website@@@
***Liang Ah Lucas***

A Toast to Performers of Rabobank CNY 'Performance'

"By the way, would just like to thank you and your
Alumni Orchestra for providing us with nice background
music for the past 2 days... Really appreciate it!"

(Natalie, Rabobank International, Singapore Branch)

Congratulations to AJCAACO. We have succeeded in our first 'assignment'. Thank you all the performers for your participation. Despite many of you are new to the Rabobank repertoire, you all manage to create an excellent CNY atmosphere for the function. Thank you EXCO for your help in various aspects of the mini performance. Thank you Jianjie and Jianwei for taking over my roles in the first day of the performance. And of course, thank you Kian Hock for your wonderful photography skills.

Here is a photo journey from the rehearsal to the performance day:

It all started with an email in December 2007. Rabobank has decided to invite AJCAACO to their 2008 CNY function after a year of rest in 2007. (We have performed for Rabobank as early as 2003.) Every Wednesday was a stressful day for Mr AJCAACO President as he was worried about the progress of the practices.

He wondered what he can do to improve the situation despite everyone has already put in their best efforts. Time is running out!!! In a week or two, representatives from Rabobank will be coming down to AJC for inspection. However, seeing that everyone is enjoying their practices, Mr AJCAACO president felt comforted...

And we also have an army guy coming for practices. He must have gotten confused with playing his M16 in the day and cello in the evening and back to his M16 rifle at night on every Wednesday.

The happy group of performers after practice despite the D-day draws nearer and nearer... In the blink of an eye, it is the performance day...



Since a bulk of our performers are first timers for such performances, many of them were worried due to the unfamiliarity. Probably many of them were surprised by the formality of the function.

However, with the leadership of the very experienced Lim Kian Kiat (1st Batch AJCAACO President), many of them managed to calm their nerves.

Also, with good preparation done by Tat Kuan and Qi Ling, all the instruments and performers reached Sime Road safely without any hiccups.

Finally, the SLs managed to ensure things are run smoothly within their own sections.


The experienced individuals (See pictures above) like Chunming, Lilian, Erik, Siqiang, Zhongneng and Jianwei were so relaxed. Rabobank performance is just like eating rice everyday. With them around, things will definitely turn out fine. After settling down, everyone got into action at 7:30pm (See pictures below).



Finally, the first day ended with both the guests and performers smiling away. And one performer grinning away (See picture below).



Thank you everyone again. Thank you Rabobank for giving us the chance to perform for their yearly CNY function. I hope everybody enjoyed the experience and that all of you will come back to join us for more AJCAACO activities. Finally... Kian Hock, next year remember to take a picture of the BIG DOGS in the Rabobank GM's house!!! Haha!!!

@@@ AJCAACO - Rabobank CNY Function 2008 @@@
***Liang Ah Lucas***

AJCO Logo...

While the Singapore Chinese Orchestra uses the treble clef to represent SCO, one talented artist of AJCO uses Zhongruan to represent AJCO. The alphabet S, C and O form the treble clef which is drawn using Chinese calligraphy brush strokes. The words on the left side of the treble clef showing "新加波华乐团" and "Singapore Chinese Orchestra" lies on the 5 musical bar lines. Interestingly, the nicely designed AJCO logo has a similar representation.

I must say this is a very creative piece of work done by a few of our AJCO juniors - Hui Quan, Jia Kai and Jing Wan. I must say... IT IS IMPRESSIVE!!! As opposed to SCO's logo that is represented by a western musical notation, the AJCO student chose the Chinese musical instrument Zhongruan formed by the alphabet A, J, C and O. Similarly, the presence of Chinese calligraphy style is evident in the design. Good work!!!


I hope that AJCO and AJCAACO members can relate ourselves to this logo in future. It is our visual identity on top of Kah Yong's composition - Euphony of Bonds Across Time - which is our aural identity.

@@@AJC(AAC)O - We Have Our Own Identity @@@
***Liang Ah Lucas***

Photos of the Month...

Taken during one of the Rabobank practices by our bassist Kian Hock... Enjoy... =P

1st Prize: "He is Sooooo Handsome!!!"

2nd Prize: "Hmmmm..."

3rd Prize: "GOSH!!! This is LOUD!"


@@@ AJCAACO - We Make Funny Faces @@@
***Liang Ah Lucas***

Mr Popular With His 2008 Newest Hairdo...

Qi Ling's birthday is around the corner. Everyone is eager to celebrate his birthday for him. Frequently known as Auntie 杀手 or Uncle (due to his passion for SBC TV dramas and Teochew Opera), the CO Alumni AS (Anti-Social) clique (which includes Lijia, Xiuqin, Tat Kuan, Erik, Weilin etc etc etc) has offered to give Qi Ling a hair makeover - a special 2008 most popular hairstyle. Tat Kuan was complaining about Qi Ling's former hair style resembles Rainie Yang's 水母发型 (See below). Ok... Maybe not. Rainie Yang is much cuter in that hairstyle =p. Should have asked Qi Ling to pose like Rainie in that pic. Hahaha... Here are some pictures... Enjoy!!!

(Top): Qi Ling with his former hairstyle, Quoted by Tat Kuan to be 水母发型.

(Top): Rainie Yang with the Jelly Fish Hairstyle Tat Kuan mentioned.

(Top): Qi Ling getting ready to have his first expensive haircut
with AJCAACO President and Vice President giving moral support.

After waiting for a painful one hour, Erik, Tat Kuan and I left for AJ first to meet Fukang for a chat leaving Qi Ling enjoying his hair cut and coloring. When I was in AJ, I received an sms from Qi Ling after he left the salon "Haha. Thanks (for paying for the haircut and coloring). But the effect not that great". Diao!!! We were worried when I showed the sms to Erik and Tat Kuan. Then, Qi Ling arrived in AJ......... WOW!!! Look at how Uncle Qi Ling transformed into Mr Stylish Boi Boi ( minus the dragon-printed T-Shirt -_-"" )... Ta Ta Ta Ta!!!

(Top): Qi Ling with his nice haircut (cant see the colour from photo).
A very refreshing look right?

I believe many people who went for haircut had the problem of styling their hair after they washed the hair at home. It always seems easy when you observed your stylist styling your hair. Qi Ling is a first-timer to try a haircut that needs styling - can refer to these four photos as reference next time.

Qi Ling... You SHUAI DAI LE... Woohoo... You can upgrade your status from auntie 杀手 to granny 杀手? (Joking... Young gals will love your haircut too!!! Right Right???) Hahaha... Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to you in advance!!!

@@ AJCAACO - New Year with New Looks @@
~~ Liang Ah Lucas ~~

2008 发发发 for AJCAACO...

October 24th 2006 marks the day when the AJCAACO blog - Euphony of Bonds Across Time was created. For the past 1 year plus, the 3rd batch AJCAACO has espoused several activities and events for both the alumni and the juniors. It was a tiring year for both the EXCO and many of the CO alumni members. Today is January 1st 2008. It is a new year for everybody and also a new year for AJCAACO. As a start, let me sum up what we have achieved in 2007 so that we will set new goals and resolutions in the year 2008.

2007 Work Year - Our Achievements

1) Launching of AJCAACO Blog: Euphony of Bonds Across Bond
2) AJCAACO Trip to Kukup
3) Chen Laoshi Farewell Gathering
4) Pre-University Sharing Session
5) Support the AJCO SYF Project
6) AJCO Heritage Exhibition
7) AJCAA Cultural Performance - The Reunion
8) AJCAACO Chalet
9) AJCAACO Christmas Gathering

2008 Work Year - Our New Goals

1) Chinese New Year Gathering
2) Rabobank Performance
3) AJCO Preparation Concert
4) AJCAACO KTV "SYF" Competition
5) AJCAACO Olympics
6) Chalets
7) Establishing AJCAACO Ensemble
8) More to come...... (Feel Free to Contribute Your Ideas!!!)

As the representative of AJCAACO, I wish all members of AJCAACO and AJCO a very happy new year. May the new year be smooth sailing. =)

@@@ AJCAACO - 2008 发发发@@@
~~ Liang Ah Lucas ~~

2007 Xmas Gathering...

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle All the Way... to Chunming's house...

It all begins at a lunch with Chunming and Lilian whereby they suggested having a gathering at Chunming's empty house in Serangoon (he has two houses; one for living and one for storing stuff). For a few weeks in December, Lilian, Chunming and Chunming's parents helped to clean up the house which was left abandoned for 5 years. They bought Christmas decoration (which includes a a Christmas tree) to liven up the festive mood , a mahjong table, a mahjong set and plenty bottles of soft drinks. Without Chunming, Lilian and CM's parents, this gathering will not be possible. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

When we first reached CM's house, we watched AJCO's past years' concerts i.e. 15th/16th batch and 17th/18th batch concerts. We laughed our heads off, while staring at our old fashioned hairstyles (centre parting hair) in disbelief. Nevertheless, we felt a sense of nostalgia and a longing to return back to our JC period. We are also looking forward to be involved in another one of such outstanding concert (especially pertaining to the 17th/18th batch concert). After watching the videos, it was time for MAHJONG. Yeah!!!

In the 2nd storey where the rooms are, we found a bookshelf of ancient Chinese books e.g. Chinese versions of Reader Digests (读者文章) dated back to the 1970s. It seems that a hidden wall will open when one of the book is taken out from its original place. Anyway, from the shelf, we managed to find a very special book written by the author called 白中发. We laughed like crazy when we saw the author's name. I think it is easy for anyone of you to guess what the book is all about i.e. 白(板)(红)中(青)发... Yeap. It is on Mahjong - 麻雀必胜战法 (see picture below). Anyone who wants to borrow the book by 白中发 can give Chunming a call. Hee...


In the evening, we went for dinner at the famous Chomp Chomp. We ordered stingrays, satays, hum, satay beehoon, bbq chicken wings, hokkien mee, sugar cane drinks etc. It was a wonderful dinner until it rained heavily and a few of us were drenched.

(Top): I was drenched after eating at the semi open-air Chomp Chomp.

(Top): Xiuhua, Shihui, Lilian and Serene with the super big sugarcane juice servings.

(Top): Erik, Chunming, Zhiliang and Mervin

The second batch of our friends came at the night when it was raining. Xiao Ting, Peiling, Chee Yong, Wei Ning and Jianjie only came at night. Due to the rain, they have to tabao the food back to Chunming's house. So nice of Jianjie to pay for most of the tabao food. =D

(Top): Cheeyong, Puay Leng, Jianjie, Qi Ling, Wei Ning and Xiaoting eating at Chunming's dining table.

When all of us finally gathered at Chunming's house, we exchanged our Christmas gifts randomly. Our names were written on pieces of paper and dropped into a bag where all of us will take turns to pick up a name. The name we picked up reflects the whose Christmas present we will get.

(Top): Lilian, our organizer telling us how to exchange our presents.

(Left): Jianjie giving Choya to Lilian. (Right): Huiling giving a hamper to Serene.

(Top): Shihui, Zhiliang, Xiuhua, Serene, Huiling, Erik, Xiaoting, Lilian, Puay Leng, Wei Ning, Mervin, Qi Ling, Chee Yong, Chunming and Jianjie

(Top): Chocolates, Clock (送"钟"???), Matchbox (with match sticks), Middle finger hand-held fan (Kaoz... Who got this?), a bottle of Choya, Books, Cute Photo Frames, Mini Hampers (that were nicely wrapped), Dustbin, Candle Holder etc etc.

And guess what the President of AJCAACO got? What a special present!!! -_- (see below)

As darkness falls, it was time for mahjong and drinking... Something that should not be missed out during festive season. The highlight of the night was marked by Mervin getting dead drunk, with a few others high on alcohol though still sane (Enjoy listening to mervin's screams when you 'listen' to the video below). Thanks Mervin for making it so hard to sleep at night =p!!!

(Top): The "Huiling Jia Jia Footage". Taken in an unlit room.

(Top): Serene with her rosy cheeks.

(Top): The most happening bunch of CO alumni posing
(as their faces got redder and redder into the night)

In our second day, we watched "Final Destination 2" whereby a few of us got very paranoid after that. Finally, the gathering ended with a 4 hour KTV session with our KTV queen Yang Tze Shing (and her bf who got a superb voice).

Thank you (especially Chunming and Lilian) whoever have made this gathering fun, crazy, wacky, high, delicious and enjoyable. Merry Christmas to the 24 Batches of AJCO Peeps!!!

@@@ AJCAACO - We Work Hard... We Play Hard... @@@
~~ Liang Ah Lucas ~~