![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/chekyang.com\/musings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/image3.png\" "\\"image\\"")
<\/p>\nOne of the interesting bits about Ling and me is that we were both choir conductors.:)<\/p>\n
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Even though I applied to join choirs during during week 0 of my first year studies in NTU 17 years ago, I had no vocal training whatsoever. My singing exposure was limited at that juncture only to the bathroom, with the repertoire comprising baritone arias from Mozart (especially Se vuol ballare<\/a><\/em> from Mozart\u2019s Le Nozze di Figaro) and selected numbers from Gilbert & Sullivan\u2019s operettas<\/a>.<\/p>\n As it turned out, I had different experiences for the two choirs I applied. The Hall III choir was reputed to be one of the best hostel choirs around NTU, so I gave a shot at that. Though instead of qualifying as a singer, I was selected to be conductor instead even though I had zilch conducting experience. I tried out also for the NTU choir but the auditions were running immediately after a week long Hall Orientation Camp. I\u2019d been shouting \/ yelling during the hall activities, and I ended up croaking during my round.<\/p>\n So it was the Hall III choir. I had to learn conducting from scratch, and with my choir coordinator in tow, we hit the old dusty Musical Scores section at the old National Library at Stamford Road to look for songs and choruses to sing.<\/p>\n It\u2019s fun to think of it now, because 17 years later, I still conduct, but only in pseudo-<\/em>fashion. As in when I hear inspiring music, my hands automatically start moving to beat to the music. In fact, I have a secret wish: to, one day, conduct a choir again singing one of these choral pieces:<\/p>\n \u201cDixit Dominus Domino meo\u201d from Dixit Dominus<\/em><\/a> by Handel. This is the opening number from a choral work, and based on Psalm 110.<\/p>\n \u201cDie Himmel erzahlen die Ehre Gottes\u201d from Die Sch\u00f6pfung<\/em><\/a> by Haydn. Haydn\u2019s better known for his symphonies, but this oratorio (\u201cThe Creation\u201d in English) is considered to be his best vocal work. The words of the song were originally in German, and it translates to \u2018The heavens are telling the glory of God\u2019. You can imagine the grandeur of the piece if that\u2019s what the song is about, and it doesn\u2019t disappoint.<\/p>\n \u201cSing Ye To The Lord\u201d from Israel in Egypt<\/a> <\/em>by Handel. From the finale of his oratorio, this is one of the most rousing choruses ever<\/em>, and my favorite ahead any of the numbers from Messiah <\/em>by the same composer. The text is from Exodus XV: 21 \u201cSing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.\u201d, and has a short soprano section before the chorus and orchestra moves in. Very, very<\/span><\/em> grand.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever conduct again of course, since I\u2019ve forgotten just about everything conducting. But the music still excites and inspires.:)<\/p>\n Picture of Ling\u2019s choir rehearsing at the VCH, and from an earlier post here<\/a>. More posts on choral music to follow.:)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the interesting bits about Ling and me is that we were both choir conductors.:) Even though I applied to join choirs during during week 0 of my first year studies in NTU 17 years ago, I had no<\/p>\n