I'm finally back from my camp in NYP and I'm still feeling exhausted after a day's rest. I dont know why but maye I'm still not catching enough sleep. My voice is quite hoarse but it should be fine in a few days, with plenty of water and sleep to be needed.

Day 1

I met Cai Yun in the morning to go to NYP in the early morning. We had to do the preparations for the camp so all committee members must be there by 7.30am. Actually, no one had a good sleep the night before. Some were busy packing while some, are too excited for the camp that they could not sleep. Haha... Well, once I reached school, I realised that I forgot to bring something along; money. I did bring a few dollars but imagine having $2.50 to survive for a 3 days camp, its like I'm depending on grass for my daily meals. -.-"

Well, the camp started and Ben, as the Camp I/C, briefed every one about the rules of the camp and we started with some ice-breakers. I was in-charged for the games with Yi Tian so everything went smoothly and soon, it was time for practice. We were going through the entire 1st half of the concert with the choral pieces. Once we've completed it, it was lunch.

Mr Ong's practice was next and by then, I was feeling very tired. Once 4pm strikes and Mr Ong decided to drill on the small group singing, most of the gals went to 'lalaland' straight away. I was in the boys bunk with Kah Hong, Shuai Xun and Cai Yun and we were using the lappy. Well, kah Hong thought me a trick for breakdancing and I tried several times before I finally succeed. It seems like I was going to break my bones at the end of the day. Haha...

Dinner was served after that and we were back to the concert stuff but this time, its cheography planning. We learnt the dance steps for the song piece "Dubulah" and I was acting like a retard while dancing. Everyone turned to their left while I turned to the right. I was like mixing up with everything and the guys were like laughing at me. At least I managed to learn the right stuff in the end. After all the busy cheography, it was shower time before lights out. Some of the guys were hungry and we ended up eating biscuits before sleeping.


Day 2

Having 7 hours of sleep is a pleasure. I woke up, washed up and went for a run at the stadium before meeting everyone to guide them in the 5BX. I had 3 rounds in the beginning and another during the 5BX. We had our breakfast soon after and we were back to business. Its time to sing again!!

During the afternoon, we had a photoshoot with Mr Ong and the picture was mend to be placed in the programme booklet I guess. ( I've forgotten =X ) Anyway, Mr Ong's friends were here to lead us in our singing techniques. Mr Goh; one of the great tenors in the group 'The Singers' was taking the guys. There's quite a few stuff that I've learnt so far and I'm trying to implement it in my singing.

Actually, there's various exercises that we had learnt and its quite good with our singing ability. For instance, singing with your body positioned at half squats or singing in a sit-up position. Although its hard to do it, it was a great way to train your diaphragm and also, reaching the high notes efficiently. Moreover, in order to sing the choral songs well, one must understand what story it is trying to show in the music scores. For instance, "Shall I Compare Thee" is trying to illustrate a story of an Italian love romance and when one sings, his voice must be lecherous as well as showing the gal he loved, how much is she to him. Cool isnt it??!!

Anyway, once the workshop was over, we had games; Twister and Bomberman. Matthais was the lucky guy, who didnt move much during Twister. The committee was trying to eliminate him but failed to do so. I think its fate that makes him to be the longest person staying in the mat. Haha... Nice one!!

After that, it was Bomberman and everyone was participating and enjoying themselves. I was too tired at that moment that I didnt join the game, until it was the last round. The reason for that is simple; I went to run around the stadium again. I had a round with Ping Ding then after that, 3 rounds with her but I manged to continue another 2 rounds. In the end, I had my last round for the day before having my shower. Overall, 11 rounds for the day. HAHA!!

While everyone was alseep, only the committee members were still busy chatting. We were discussing about alot of things in the Piano room and by then, it was like 1am before we head for shower??!! Everyone was tired but we still have many things to do. Once shower was done, we still went back to chat but this time, its not about concert stuff. It was leisure chat untill 4am in the morning. I slept at 4.35am as I was listening to the radio between Man Utd and Roma. In the end, Man Utd won the game with a Wayne Rooney strike. Haha... We are 6 points up!!


Day 3

Rise and shine for everyone but the committee members were still in their sleep when the time was 8.10am in the morning. I was having problems with my voice as it feels quite sore and I cant sing the high notes that day. No choice but to sing, as a form of practise.

Well, everyone packed their stuff before practice and we had sang all the 2nd half songs for that 2 hours of learning. I was struggling all day long. Anguished with myself for having such a voice at that period of time. I could not hit the high notes and the highest I could go was a B flat!! Haix... I was quite demoralised and keep cursing at myself.

In the end, I used the method we had learnt the day before in Mr Goh's workshop, by doing a half squat and sang 'Seasons of Love'. I need to do it since I could not hit the high notes and Pauline and the rest of the Altos need to hear Shuai Xun and me out to get the right pitch of the song. I manged to hit the high notes in the end but had stomach cramps after doing too much. Haha... At least now I know the techniques and know when to use it, I guess it isnt a big problem at all for me to hit it now. That's a great lesson to learn.

Debrief was done after the practice and once its over, the concert camp came to an end. We had photos taken before we left. Everyone was tired but still, the committee needs to pack the remaining stuff such as fans and electric keyboard. I ended up sleeping in the clubroom while everyone are busy. Haha.. Sorry for that but I was quite tired.

Seriously, the camp was fun but I'm always the target. I was wearing this 'No Sweat!' T-shirt and the guys were like telling me the same phrase. Anything that happens, "No sweat!" My gosh!! Haha.. I was fun and I'm okay with it. Just that it has been going on for the entire camp and guess what, when Shuai Xun wants to post the pictures online and the password for the pictures was 'nosweat'. Oh no, not again!! I guess next time I will not wear that shirt to V.E. and maybe, getting another shirt named 'Sweating!!' Haha.. Kidding...

Gosh!! Camp ended so fast and the concert is 1 month's time. Hope everyone will buck up and memorise their scores. Let's sing well and make a great performance for this Les Voix Concert!! Yeah!! But lets hope I dont get another nightmare like last night, dreaming of Shuai Xun giving sectionals... Wow, that's scary.. LOL!!