T'was the rehearsal before CHMA 2010

Just thought I'd put up some photos that I snapped of our final rehearsal before the night itself on 15th May. 

It's amazing how the whole event managed to pull through this year.  First and foremost, CHMA's never been so early in the year, it's usually in July.  Secondly, ticket sales were never a concern because the event's always been very well-supported and attended by CHMA alumni and other old boys of the school..but not so this year..could be because of the break we took last year (due to H1N1, the concert was cancelled last year), or the cluster of CH concerts in this 2 weeks...or just a general declining interest...I don't know..

As of CHMA night, my favourite number is now 89, because there were 89 tix sold on the night of CHMA itself.  Though it's great, it was an unnerving time preparing for CHMA this year, what with the lack of ticket sales till the day before, sound/lights system tripping the power a few times during our full-dress rehearsal the night before and whatever other "small" little irritating things that happened.

Many would have heard, that our piano fell onto one of our stage crew's foot JUST before the concert was to start, and one of the groups got disqualified from the compeition, both a first in my few years of handling CHMA.

But all in all, I'm just SUPER glad that we managed to pull off another year of CHMA...many thanks to those who came to support the event by buying tickets, be it willingly, or half-willingly because you were coerced into it somehow.  Your presence really made a difference to the finalists and crew, who spent time and sweat preparing their performances. 

Thanks to the large bunch of old boys who came back to help (special thanks to S & M for taking over as backstage crew after the piano accident, for sacrificing being able to watch the show as audience & sweating it out with the rest of the young crew:) ) and support the event from the night before through to CHMA on the day itself.  Thanks also to the few colleagues who turned up to show support amidst horrendous deadlines and commitments to fulfill, your presence made a huge difference.

And finally, kudos to the IMedia crew, I can't believe we made it ;)

So here are the shots..
Creative Expressions Merit Award Winner: 24GB

Solo Vocals: Jacob Chin

Solo Vocals: Goay Dow

Instrumental Merit Award Winner: Shaun Tan

 

Solo Vocals: Leon Lee

 

Solo Vocals: Chong Kuan Hoe

 

 

Solo Vocals: Li Jian Wei

 

And this is just to show that as one of the producers of the show, what do I spend my time doing amidst running final rehearsal? WRAP GIFTS & WRITE CARDS FOR GUEST PERFORMERS & JUDGES.

 

And this is us, flashing tired but relieved smiles after the whole event concluded for the night.

And this is my absolute FAVOURITE picture of the night, because of the background meaning of us sticking out our pinkies :)

And thus concludes our journey for CHMA 2010...