Thursday November 13, 2008
The sound of music has come to Puchong
Stories by THO XIN YI
WITH a flick of the baton, the musicians get into a flurry of action and send musical notes flowing in the air.
Soon, an orchestra version of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You reverberated through the hall and got the audience tapping their feet to the tune.
It was an inspirational moment for everyone present — not because of the lovey dovey song, but for the fulfilment of a vision and the realisation of the dream to be the country’s first community orchestra.
“The sound of music has come to Puchong,” Regent Community Services director Neil E. Rode said last Sunday.
In control: Francisco conducting the orchestra. Rode said this when welcoming Selangor state senior executive councillor and Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok, who has agreed to be the orchestra’s patron and who paid a visit to see the orchestra in an informal debut performance.
Teresa was impressed with the set-up and has high praises for the professional performance by the multi-racial orchestra.
On Aug 23, StarMetro highlighted the Regent’s idea of forming the Puchong Mini Orchestra and Choir.
Following the report, people from as far as Klang responded enthusiastically.
“A total of 75 people, young and old, came for the orchestra audition and 28 for the choir. Some of them were not ready to commit so in the end we have 65 musicians in the orchestra and 28 singers in the choir,” Rode said.
Making sweet music: The orchestra members playing the clarinet Music director and conductor Romualdo Danny Francisco, or Uncle Danny as he is affectionately called by the orchestra members, said he was happy and relieved that the orchestra and choir had been formed.
His original target was only for a 20-piece team but the number of people who turned up was far from what he expected.
The orchestra now consists of musicians playing violins, clarinets, flutes, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, euphonium, trombones, trumpets, piano, bass, drum, guitar and percussion.
There is also a Chinese twist to the orchestra as two musicians play the er hu and gu zheng.
“They have been practising every Sunday since September and we are ready to officially launch the orchestra and choir early next year,” Rode said.
“They are still learning to master the skills but I am confident that by next year, I will be able to upgrade their standard,” Francisco said.
Among the songs that the orchestra and choir have learned are Dayung Sampan, Azizah, Tanah Pusaka, The Impossible Dream, Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin (The Moon Represents My Heart) and Sway.
Giving it their all: The wind instrument players practising hard. Some of the members are taking private lessons from Francisco to sharpen their skills.
“I don’t leave anyone out as long as he or she is interested and willing to learn,” Francisco said.
Besides the orchestra and choir, youths are also encouraged to join the newly-formed hip hop dance group.
Meanwhile, Teresa has promised to provide assistance to help the orchestra members showcase their talents to more people.
“I am certainly surprised to see such a big group when I stepped into the hall. I like the idea and I was really enjoying your performances,” she told the orchestra members and audience.
Teresa also recalled her own experience of not being able to learn to play the piano until later in secondary school as her family could not afford to pay for the lessons.
“Music is one of those things that bind us together. I love music and I love to sing, too,” she said.
The Regent welcomes invitations to perform at events and functions, particularly for charity and community get-togethers.
Teresa and Neil Rode (right) talking to the youngest orchestra member Dennis Lim who plays the violin. Rode lamented the fact that there was a lack of a proper performing art theatre in Puchong.
“Kuala Lumpur has its KLPac and PJ its Civic Centre auditorium. It is high time Puchong has its own PuchongPac to take a new dynamic apppearance for culture and arts,” he said.
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