Life at ICOM... / July 2010 update

OK, apologies for not having updated for quite some time... I've been very busy with school! Taking a short break now from work...

For those who are still wondering, I'm currently doing my Bachelor in Music at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It's a transfer programme whereby I spend 2 years here at the International College of Music (ICOM) and then move on (and transfer credits) to Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA, where I spend another 2-3 years for my Bachelor's (single/double major). It's fortunate that Berklee ties up with schools worldwide as part of the "Berklee International Network (BIN)", about 30% of Berklee's student population are transfer students. In Asia, 3 colleges of music are in the BIN - one each in Japan, Korea, and Malaysia (the nearest).

I find ICOM a viable route for regional (especially Singaporean/Malaysian) students who wish to pursue their musical dreams at one of the world's most prestigious contemporary schools of music, Berklee. Especially for those concerned by the high costs of education at Berklee (Boston), they would get to save a substantial sum of money by going through the ICOM-Berklee 2+2 year route. Indeed, current exchange rate conditions (Singapore vs. Malaysia) mean that the cost of living is generally cheaper here. The near-familiar culture/food has also enabled me to settle down in a foreign country faster, so I can devote more time to studies. Still, I do realise that my future is also not everything in life; the proximity of being near(er) to my friends and loved ones (a.k.a family) while in Malaysia means that home (in Singapore) is just a half-hour flight/5-hour bus ride away.

My stay so far in ICOM has been a much enjoyable and fruitful one; being surrounded by people who are so passionate and talented in music and audio technology really provides fertile ground for networking, and challenges me to take my own musicality to greater heights. The facilities and resources (especially a really huge and neat collection of library books!) just keep me in school daily till 7pm (closing hour) - I'm either at class, jamming at a rehearsal, researching in the library, or in one of the 38 practice rooms! I really love the faculty here too; a number of which are Berklee alumni themselves, or even my polytechnic lecturer's former teacher! Oh my gosh, the intimidation/awe of being taught by a lecturer's lecturer! But seriously, one just can never learn enough from these masters in their field... oh, did I mention the MacDonald's with free WIFI that's just a few steps away from school? *excited look* I love my new MacBook Pro and Logic Studio!

I will try to post more updates on school life (modules I'm taking, etc.), and also photos/videos here or on Facebook soon; but meanwhile, here's a quick update of my life's happenings in early July 2010:

Jul 1. Attended a "Music Publishing & Copyright" seminar by COMPASS and an "Artiste & Event Management" talk by Music & Movement, as part of the DMAT Masterclass Series (DMAT-MS) in which prominent industry experts were invited down to Singapore Polytechnic to share their experiences/knowledge with current students/alumni. T'was also an informal reunion:-

Jul 2. A full day of workshops and performances by the incredible Juwita Suwito and her band from Malaysia. Found out that their drummer was an ICOM alumni! Also dropped by camp mate Mark's 21st birthday chalet at night...

Jul 3. Attended a "Musical Script & Songwriting" workshop (as part of DMAT-MS), conducted by Musical Theatre Limited. Later at night, had a reunion-farewell dinner with secondary school besties Huiling and Shaun at MOS Burger, Tampines Mall, before heading to Starhub to terminate my local (Singaporean) phone line. =(

Jul 4.Independence Day! - in another sense for me - goodbye Singapore! I took a morning coach up to Kuala Lumpur with my dad to settle down in preparation for my new life...

Jul 5-9. Orientation week begins at ICOM with talks, briefings, and placement tests/auditions - I managed to get the "advance standing" into Semester 2 (2 years/4 semesters instead of 2.5 years/5 semesters)...

And so a month of school has passed by so quickly; assignments, research, projects, practice and more all clamouring for my attention! Till my next update; take care everyone!

2010 Recap (Apr-Jun)

Just a brief update of major events/happenings in my life in the final months leading up to O.R.D.! :-

Apr 16. Attended a talk, "Writing Musicals: An Introduction", conducted by Musical Theatre Limited at the Library@Esplanade. A fantastic opportunity for the public to get their "feet wet".

Apr 24. Celebrated Haze's birthday with fellow J-pop band members at PartyWorld KTV @ The Verge (new outlet at Little India). Two huge LCD TVs, a multi-function massage chair, instruments (shakers, clappers, and a tambourine!), dice to play with, laser dico lights, and decorated bling-bling wallpaper and cushions really enhanced our overall experience!!

May 1. Started a one-month long stint being a lounge pianist at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. Six nights a week, two hours a night, and some pocket money and experience gained...

May 8. TICE Eco Camp's Team Heart's 2nd Year Anniversary Reunion at Azabu Sabo Japanese Restaurant @ Marina Square. 2 years on, the friendships forged still remain strong...

May 21. Visited my alma mater St. Hilda's Secondary School with my ex-Computer Club-mate Yongkang. Met a few teachers that were still around, but most had left or moved on in their career...

May 28. The beginning of a half-month stint gigging weekends with vocalist Melissa at La Salsa (Jimmy's bar @ Dempsey Hill)...

Jun 12. - O.R.D. LO!!! The completion of my 2-year mandatory National Service term is a shared vision among every enlisted (read: forced/reluctant) Singaporean soldier that had to give of 2 years of his life to the service of the nation!

Jun 13. Stuffed myself silly with the amazing buffet dinner (SG$40) at Cafe 2000 @ M Hotel Singapore. T'was a celebration of O.R.D. with my Army mates...

Jun 20. Lunch with my J-pop bandmates at Ootoya Japanese Restaurant at the newly-opened Orchard Central.

Jun 23. Stuffed myself silly (again) will 6 J Co. donuts and Starbucks' Green Tea Cream - and that was after dinner!

Jun 24. Met up with polytechnic mates Zhen Hong, Joanne, and Ginny for dinner at Azabu Sabo Japanese Restaurant @ Marina Square, before heading off to explore the new local sensations - Marina Bay Sands and the Helix Bridge.

Jun 27. A thrilling day of social gatherings... Celebrated army mate Edwin's birthday over lunch at Big-O Cafe @ Paragon, with a surprise chunky chocolate-durian cake! Later that evening; had dinner with my TICE Eco Camp friends at Manhattan Fish Market @ Marina Square, followed by catching the World Cup screening at MacDonald's!

Jun 30. An enjoyable afternoon tea at Canele @ Robertson Walk with my former lecturer Wendy Ng, and a chance encounter with actress of local movie "881", Yeo Yann Yann! Thereafter, attended a Social Media Night @ Zsofi Tapas bar in support of the organizer (my army friend), and realized that a chance meeting with strangers overturned many common friends... truly, six degrees of connection...