What is music, really? And who determines what good music should sound like?

Is a good musician one who keeps the right note, plays the correct rhythm, and doesn't make a single technical mistake - but lacks in everything else? Or is a good musician one who is able to captivate you, stop time, and make you cry - even with a few wrong notes?

I come across all sorts of musicians, being in an Arts College and studying under the School of Contemporary Music. Each day, I listen to students play, I watch as they practice, I see how they overcome mistakes. In the end, after all that has been achieved, what makes them a good musician? Again, do they become good musicians because of flawless techniques, or do they become good musicians because they are able to stir emotions within your soul? I am still unsure what the answer should be.

Both, perhaps?

To be a good musician, you must play your instrument well - technically. And at the same time, have the power to create any ambiance you want (?).

If that were the case, would a singer, for example, who sang a few wrong notes and ran out of breath at some phrases, be a lousy musician even though she (or he) made you feel her (or his) pain or suffering, or gladness, or anger, while singing?

Dictionary.com says that music is an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.

So, a good musician would be able to "express ideas and emotions"?

This topic could end up being an entire thesis :)

Wish me luck for my exams, I need it!


Then felt I like a child that holds a trumpet that he must not blow because a man is dead. (W.H. Davies)

I have been trying to keep myself busy, as if I wasn't busy enough.

It all started out with making my mind filter unnecessary thoughts and only focus on my final exams. After all, these two weeks of exams can make or break my degree, so to speak.

The CLEO event at The Curve was interesting. I had fun. I was happy to meet people - socializing and networking. I will not elaborate much about the CLEO event, because it is your loss if you missed it :) I am not that mean, but in a nutshell, we played all sorts of silly games. We watched performances. We got to 'meet and greet' the "fans". Ya, I can't believe I said that.

Apart from that, I have been, and will be, busy with exams, and other smaller but still important things. For example, here is what I have lined up:

1. Audition - for the PROMUSICA vocal conference in Penang, to be held in June. Only 12 in the region will be selected for attend this conference. If I do get in, well, let's just wait and see what happens.

2. SIFF, the Singapore International Film Festival (link) - I will be performing for the closing of the awards show for this event. I will be singing two operatic arias, one by Puccini, and one by Mozart. This will take place Sunday night at the Singapore National Museum Gallery Theatre.

3. We Will Rock You, the Musical - I plan to go watch, as such things rarely come to this part of the world.


All these, plus a whole bunch of music essays, concert critics and reviews, music projects, and my music logbook, to be handed up by the end of the week. And not forgetting....


I came like water and like wind I go (Liza Lehmann)