It has been a wonderful experience. 23 Aug 2009 was the premiere of Sheer Determination. Through the process, I've learnt much, some musical, some not, but all important and significant in their own ways.

http://www.tmo-concert.sg/

See here for a report on the concert.

A report of the concert on CityNews.



Through this experience, I have seen how a concert is put together, this time not from a performer's point of view, but in certain sense, from a non-performer's point of view. Small (1998) writes that "music is not a thing at all but an activity, something that people do". He adds by saying how the meaning of music does not lie in objects, but in the action, in what people do. This whole process was meaningful to me as I enjoyed the interaction with the people. These interactions included chats to get to know new friends, helping to arrange chairs rehearsals and even getting lifts home from some orchestra members. These people were strangers to me, whom I only got to know because we had a common goal - the concert.

Small (1998) proposes the word musicking to mean roughly the same as "to make music". He proposes this definition: To music is to take part, in any capacity, in a musical performance, whether by performing, by listening, by rehearsing or practicing, by providing material for performance (what is called composing), or by dancing. He even extends the meaning to include other contributing roles to a musical performance such as the person selling tickets or the men who move instruments or carry out sound checks. Having observed the different roles people played in this concert, and how all these roles contribute to the success of a final concert, I have come to a renewed appreciation for all the people involved, especially the people who do logistics, as well as those in publicity and administration. 

These are values I hope to bring forth to my students next time. That making music does not only include the performers, but other roles as well. Not everyone can be a performer on stage all the time. I used to think the only thing that mattered in music was having the talent to be on stage. But music means so much more than that. Music is something that people do together, an experience that one goes through. Through it all, I hope to create an environment of community spirit, inclusiveness and ownership in any music-making process.

Small, Christopher (1998). The meanings of Performing and Listening. Hanover: University Press of New England.