Chinese New Year in London, New York and Sydney

London, one of my favourite cities, is all geared up for a China In London 2006 season, organised by London's Chinatown Chinese Association, the Royal Academy of Arts and Visit London.

First off this Chinese New Year celebration, the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone officiated at the lighting up ceremony of the huge red Chinese lanterns along the premier shopping Oxford Street. He pronounced, "We want Londoners and the capital's visitors to sample just a little of that vast country's rich cultural history."

The Chinese New Year celebrations proper in London commences with a parade, fireworks, and other festivities in Chinatown, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square on Sunday, January 29 2006. It also launches the China in London 2006 3-month season, which includes landmark cultural and historical exhibitions at the London museums, performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and other programmes. The CNY programmes are organised with support from the Chinese Embassy, Arts Council England, the Mayor of London, Westminster Council, Metropolitan Police and others. (Picture of lantern in Trafalgar Square from BBC website)

More interesting information and news regarding CNY in London are available at the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/features/events/chinese_new_year/

Elsewhere, such as in Sydney and New York, CNY festivities are underway, celebrated in style. The New York Empire State Building is specially lit for the occasion, while major fairs, performances and parades are part of Sydney's official CNY celebrations organised by the Sydney city administration. According to the official spokespersons of Sydney city, the Chinese New Year is the second most important and celebrated public holiday there, after New Year's Eve, joined in celebrations by all people. (Picture of Empire State Building from Sina news website.)

Article regarding Empire State Building: http://news.sina.com.cn/w/2006-01-28/14548103367s.shtml

One Band

The Band played well for the orientation concert today. I could truly sense that the band is indeed One Band, One Sound, One Brotherhood (Our Creed).

This is something I believe firmly in - that the real best excellent music that connects with the audience comes from a band with a pure, sincere and selfless heart.

This is all the more important for our Band now. With all our past achievements, as we strive towards the greatest musical heights, we must not forget about the real purpose of our music. To lose this and the purpose of our music would be truly disastrous - for the band will then never be truly great. The greatest orchestras and bands in the world are never caught up in mere superficial results and awards, but in the intrinsic aspects of their music, with all their great traditions.

We are now One Band, One Sound, One Brotherhood.
Truly, as a band, we have a common heartbeat, a common voice, and a common trust in each other.
I can see and feel that in our band now.
Cherish it. Grow it.
If we lose that sense of common purpose and destiny, if we lose that common faith and trust in each other as brothers, if we only think of outdoing each other, we would no longer be One Band.
There can be no resonance and ensemble in our music without mutual trust.
There can be no true passion and heart in our music without true sincerity.
For only in unity will the Band be One.
Music is beyond selfish desires and petty gains.
Music is beyond individual power and personal glory.
Music transcends all.
For Music is the revelation of truth, compassion and humanity.

When we recall the greatest musical works ever composed - Bach's St. Matthew's Passion, Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's 9th Symphony (Choral), Mahler's Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection) and Symphony of a Thousand, Schubert's Symphony 'The Great', Verdi's Requiem, Mozart's Requiem, and even Les Miserables and Jericho ... they sparkle, shine, and touch our hearts because they are about universal brotherhood, about humanity, about selfless passion, about redemption, and about truth and hope.

We have worked so hard to come so far till this stage where the band is really ONE now, and this spirit must be passed down. We must never lose sight of this. We must never forget the reason we make music as a band, lest we lose the very purpose of our existence.

We are One Band, One Sound, One Brotherhood.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006!

The Run Ahead ... 2006 Here We Are!

photo from 'Chariots of Fire' movie poster

OK THEN ... EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO 2006...

Being human, we can be nostalgic about 2005 ...

BUT IT'S JUST GONA BE AN EXCITING YEAR AHEAD! I

shall think of the road ahead, the challenges, and the excitement...

Looking ahead to a great 2006!

...................

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006!

photo from New York Times 1 Jan 2006