TUSO

I was given the chance to perform with the Taylors University Symphonic Orchestra last Friday and Saturday as part of the Preview for Rainforest World Music Festival 2011. They had only one resident clarinetist, so Justin asked me to come and play along. We played the theme from Star Wars, Hawaii Five-O and Jai Ho.

Travelling up and down to Sunway was tiring, but I felt it was worth it. I miss playing and performing. The thrill of seeing the audience applaude after each piece. The breathlessness after each song. The glare of the lights above. How my bottom lip always hurts from the constant pressure of pressing on my teeth...

This concert was a new experience for me. How so? First of all, the percussion consists of only one drum set and a keyboard. The keyboard was used to simulate voices of different percussion instruments, bell, chimes, timpani... And the drum set was used for snare, bass drum (?) and tom. Well, I have to admit, it's really cost effective, and does save on manpower.

Secondly, there was no horn line. Alto line was played solely by the saxophones. Bass line was okaaaaaaaay, with two trombones and a tuba. Oh, cellos too. Sorry to say, trumpets weren't any good, which is a real handicap, since trumpets are featured in almost every song. Flutes and the clarinetist were alright.

Thirdly, this is my first time playing with strings. I have never liked novice string players, they sound too irritating. Especially when they go out of tune on the high notes. But everyone starts as a novice, I guess I'll just have to bear with it. It's not like I'm much better anyway. The concertmaster is good though, that's why he's concertmaster.

If Taylors could find just one decent horn player, and another trumpeter, besides Justin, I think they can really improve and widen their range of songs. Oh, they need another conductor too...

I look forward to their next performance.