Day 2 of Sec Sch SYF (Live Thoughts) Part 1/4

Hey guys,

Firstly, let me apologise for the sometimes incoherent typing and writing, it happens when you're multi-tasking between listening, typing with your fingers on your phone and thinking of what to write :S

Anyhow, all the best to today's group! It's the first big group for SYF! As far as possible, everything will be posted 'live', that is if my phone decides to play nice today. You should see an update every 15-20 minutes. If you don't, click on 'refresh' to clear your cache. That should fix the problem. Our coverage begins at 0900 hours (Singapore-time for Diane haha) :)

P.S. Today's results will also include those of yesterday's choirs.

I'm early again and on the way in i saw a few choirs practising outdoors. In addition I see a number of familiar faces, and the ever friendly Malay auntie usher. Got the same seat from yesterday :) The crowd today's much larger than the one from yesterday. There are a number of powerhouses performing today so brace yourselves, I think we're in for a tough and long day of competition. Yes, and since I'm early, may I comment on bright and shiny neon blue shirts one of the choir's in? Talk about making a statement LOL. Anw, if anyone of u are coming today do say hi! As usual, the judges are talking loudly and laughing. Happy judges = happy choirs at the end of the day.

Either way the beginning of day 2 is imminent!

Fuhua Sec Sch

Habatakouashitahe
Musica Dei

Prediction: L S
Actual: G (surprise)

Ooo... They're in classy red, but they've only got 7 guys! The set piece's pretty fast, phrasing's adequate, but the balance is a little lacking, tone's as usual airy but overall a good job. First piece's (musica dei) with piano accompaniment. Some nice sections and phrasing, but they tend to go sharp especially the ladies, and I could use more t bs. It's a sweet piece if I might add. Next piece's the jap piece accompanied by piano, and they tend to go flat on the long notes. The tenor solo was rather lacking in volume and tone, but it sounds a little similar to the piece before. I think it'll be a low silver 'cause it wasn't severely out of tune, but balance is a major issue though

North View Sec Sch

Deo dicamus gratias
Di Tanjong Katong

Prediction: CoP
Actual: CoP

Next up is the a go go choir (neon blue?!) Set piece is a tad slow, but omg they're REALLY airy esp the sops. The choir's huge (60?), but the lack of vocal training is telling. They were severely out during the dissonance section. Really bad. First piece's accompanied by piano (deo gratias) there are split notes all the place. It's a nice piece but it's being butchered. Argh I can't wait for it to end, and they went out of tune (sharp in the middle, flat at the end). Oh no, the second piece a cappella, it sounds bitonal but it's supposed to be a nice tonal folk piece. They are ridiculously pitchy, omg. I'm pretty certain it'll be CoP.

Ang Mo Kio Sec Sch

Go, Lovely Rose
Ti Or Or

Prediction: S / L S
Actual: S

I'm sure the judges are yearning fir a good performance now. I know I am. Oh they're in green blazers. Very formal. It's a pretty balanced choir (sexes), the tone's a little airy. It's pretty alright but then sops sound... Muffled? It's a weird sound. The first piece's a cappella, eric whitacre-ish chords, they lack depth to their voices, their nerves are getting to them, but they recovered at the end. There was a brief moment of brilliance, it's lacking blend and subtlety. The next piece is a cappella, omg they've come ALIVE, they must like this piece but there are obvious pitch problems still present. Should be silver maybe low in light of the tone and frequent pitch errors.

Bukit Batok Sec Sch

Lelo Ledung
Oy Polna Polna Korobushka

Prediction: L B / CoP
Actual: S (a little surprised)

The set piece is WAY too slow, it'll definitely be a fault. The girls are airy. Some pitch errors esp in ascending and descending bits. The balance is slanted towards to the girls, too little guys. The dissonant bit was too tentative. Not a good start. I'm thinking CoP at this point in time. The next piece's a cappella Asian (Filipino I think), but the girl's tone is distracting, not to mention the sharpness . I don't really like this piece. The next piece is also a cappella but eastern european/ Baltic. They do a much better job with this piece but I don't get the sudden tone change. They were flat in this piece. I think it'll be either a low bronze or cop, but probably the former. If it's the latter it's 'cause of the set piece.

Kent Ridge Sec Sch

Aka Tonbo
Apamuy Shungo

Prediction: L S
Actual: S

They look like milk-maids in pink but without a bonnet. I would like to hear more t bs, the girls are airy. They are relatively in tune but the performance itself was boring. On to the next piece, starts a little flat (a and s). It's a very delicate, subtle piece but the phrasing isn't quite there, some minor pitch problems. Last piece is Japanese I think, they're more alive (I think the stamping helps) but they're flat. Didn't care for the piece though. It should be a low silver.

Mayflower Sec Sch

Dana Dana
Shinjiru

Prediction: L S / H B
Actual: G (shock)

Navy and yellow don't work unless u're walking down a Alexander McQueen runway. Even then, yellow mandarin collars on a navy shirt will never work.. Set piece is a bit slow. The choir's huge, the phrasing's a bit heavy. The girls are a little shrill, and sharp. Their lack of vocal training is showing, and are frequently out of tune. I like the next piece, it's a cappella, their throaty sound works here, but the lack of depth is showing. It's a decent attempt I might add. The next piece is accompanied by piano, what's with this year and Japanese pieces? Anw, they sound confident, but the airy tone is rather annoying for such a piece. The development section is quite well done, this piece is alright, probably more stable with the piano helping them. Still, there are still some pitch errors evident. Probably low silver or high bronze 'cause of the set piece. It was quite bad u know.