JXC Book 2 Class Party for 哥哥

哥哥's class had their class party for JXC Book 2. It's mini class performance for their class, to motivate these kids to continue work hard at their music playing.

Didi with his present

Queue for his turn.
Some of the children are siblings who attended the class party, that's why there are different age groups.

He plays Merry-Go-Round as his solo piece and sings Summit on the Rainbow with his classmates.

His performance at the class party.

Christmas Party 2014 - Christmas-themed mini concert

The children attended Christmas party organized by their music school. This is the closest they got to experience Christmas as we do not celebrate it at home. They have a mini concert during Christmas party, with food too. It costs RM45 per child and RM70 per adult (汗!).

Our excited children waiting for concert to start

Their concert attire is determined in advance. Cherry's group have to wear white dress, white shoes and a Christmas-style headband (she got the headband later so that's why she is not wearing it yet). Didi's group (for boys) are to wear white shirt, black pants and black shoes. We bought everything new for Didi as he doesn't have this type of more formal looking clothes, and he could use them later. Imagine the difficulty to buy dark pants which is not jeans at that time, just because the children's fashion is pushing out different style/colour :( And looks like this little party created havoc depleting white dresses for girls as so many of them rushing to buy at the same time frame.

The children in their concert attire. Cherry hated the eye makeup I did for her.
Kalau pandai nanti sendiri buat la ya :P

Even though it's a mini concert, they have to rehearse meticulously for it, even it's just singing in group (not even like choir yet). Too bad Didi couldn't attend any of the sessions, so he just practise the lyrics at home. His music teacher also try to help, make some time in class to teach him the percussion part. Then went straight for the final rehearsal :P

Final rehearsal at the actual stage

They were in different group so different rehearsal times even for final rehearsal. We waited with Baby Orange here for Didi while having a snack.

Cherry and her beloved Baby Orange, they love each other.

Baby Orange at Gurney Drive beach - even though not really a beach :P

Us and Baby Orange. OK, I admit Papa takes much better photos.

The Christmas Party starts in the evening. Papa accompanies them so Baby Orange and I stay at home.

Children at Christmas Party venue

So here's the songs they performed, nothing spectacular, just for fun.
Cherry's group performance is "Tropical Wonderland" (instead of Winter Wonderland you know).

 Didi's group performed Jingle Bells and Joy To The World.

Then it was "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"

They were excited spotting some desserts loved by all kids, other than the standard buffet spread. Managed to snuck food between performances.

Food at the party

They got lucky draw prize - ukulele. Didn't have time to arrange to learn or anything :P

Oriental Santa - Is this one of the staff as Santa? Or teacher's boss? :) 

哥哥's JXC Book 1 Music Class Party

哥哥 had his class party for Yamaha Junior Extension Course (or JXC) for completion of Book 1. Previously 姐姐's did not have any more class parties from JXC onwards. However because 哥哥's class are quite playful and active, so Teacher Sherlene probably still hold class party to motivate them :)

Group photo with his class and Teacher Sherlene

Getting his gift exchange

He played "Balloon Trip" as his solo performance. The class sings Grandfather's Clock and performed ensemble playing for "Daisy In The Field"

JMC Graduation Concert 2014 for 弟弟

It's 弟弟's class having their JMC Graduation Concert after taking FSS last year. It's held at Imaginarium (sp?) at their showroom instead of a hotel like 姐姐's time. 弟弟 started preparing and have extra lessons with his teacher from October last year.

The kids are to perform a chosen solo, sing a song in group and participate in an ensemble (simplified to their ability). 弟弟 chose to play 'Let's Go On An Expedition' as his solo, the class sing 'Rainbow Coloured Song' and performed 'Radzetsky March' as their ensemble. He plays the melody part, one of his classmate plays the bass part and the others play percussion instruments.

Here are his performances.... I think he did well as he practise almost everyday.






Then it's time for graduation ceremony. They have group photo with teacher Sherlene, and get their certificate one by one.

Group photo with Ms Sherlene

Queue with his class

Get his graduation certificate from Ms Sherlene and Mrs Fong

Lucky them, they get a goody bag. 姐姐 didn't have this during her JMC graduation in 2011

He's already in JXC book 1 since completed the FSS last year. So it's a continuous journey of learning from this small milestone :)

Yamaha JMC assessment Fundamental Skills Survey (FSS) for 弟弟

弟弟 finally made it to the first big milestone for his music class, the Fundamental Skills Survey assessment for Yamaha JMC graduates :) It's his first external exam outside of kindy. I keep forgetting what does FSS stands for and had to search back for 姐姐's certificate :P

We are the first to reach the school and he's also the first on the attendee list. The examiner is a pretty, nice lady. When we went into the room, he greeted his teacher and the examiner. First he sang his chosen song "Lullaby of Stars". I can tell he tried his best, but I wish he could have sang louder though. Then it was solfege singing, teacher played 2 phrases, he listens and sings them. Then it's listening for the chords. After that only it's playing his chosen pieces, Little Red Shoes and Falling Leaves from Primary Book 4. Next, it's listening to teacher play melody of The Dove, then he plays them with accompaniment. Lastly, it's meeting up with examiner, and singing the notes examiner pointed out. Finally, the examiner congratulated him for a good try at singing and playing. Phew! Everything done in less than 15 minutes I think. When we're out, most of his music class friends are already here.

弟弟 and his friends from music class

He's been practising throughout the 6 months for JMC Primary 4, even though it just seems like 5 minutes during the weekdays. About 1 month or so from the date we sign-up for the assessment, teacher had given them chance to perform their chosen songs to the class and other parents. They also sing their chosen song, first in group and then gradually they sing individually for the class. At the same time, teacher let them sing lots of solfege exercises and learn to listen to the chords they learnt. This was taught throughout the 2 years they are in JMC but got more intensive near to FSS :)

Here is a video I took during his class for singing Lullaby of Stars. Actually it's quite a difficult song for boys to sing, but he insisted on it.

And here is 弟弟 playing Little Red Shoes, Falling Leaves and The Dove. Usually teacher will let him play on piano, but on this day, it was a clavinova which has a harder touch. When he played The Dove here, he was a little rough, so teacher corrected his handling of this song :P And his variation for The Dove during FSS is slightly different after teacher taught them a little pattern for it.


During lessons, teacher will slot in some fun time for them, such as singing this lively song "Feeling Great Yeah". I think with a video the memory lives on for them :) He also enjoyed another song called "Treasure Hunting" but I didn't video it as parents are to sing along.

I'm just so relieved he completed his FSS assessment! :) Teacher had started to introduce them to JXC Book 1 songs, so he would be starting JXC completely from next week. At the same time, I think teacher will start preparing them for the JMC graduation concert too! 弟弟 will be kept busy :P

As a parent with children going for Yamaha's Junior Music Course, we have to be very patient. Skills are learnt a little by little, starting from single notes, to chords, from listening, singing solfege etc. Of course, when they first started there is no "song" to play for adults to enjoy. They start by playing accompaniment to the CDs. Some of our relatives even commented, "what, this is playing piano?" when they asked the children to play at the beginning stage. There is no need to rush it at this point in "playing a song". I'd rather them go slow and steady with teacher's guidance than to rush into playing at wrong tempo and lack of musicality, you know how some kids go fast when they are at a familiar part and go slow when they are not when they start playing pieces. This is so wrong as they should hear and feel the music and not just simply play notes. I can see tremendous progress with 姐姐 as she moves into JXC and I'm sure 弟弟 will too.

JMC Book 3 Class Party - 弟弟's performance

弟弟's class finally had their JMC Primary 3 class party! For his solo performance, he plays 3 songs "Morning In The Forest", "Little Bluebird" and "March Of The Little Bears".

He chose the t-shirt himself. He said guitar suits music class party :)

Intro and he wanted teacher to accompany him to the piano

似模似样的弹琴

Looks so serious during his solo performance

Video of his performance taken by 爸爸. Luckily he is back from business trip in time to attend class party together.

After all the children performed their chosen solo pieces, they sing "Songs of The Seasons".

Making funny faces while getting ready

Then it's dance performance for "Samba King".

Finally it's gift exchange and group photo.

Group photo with the class and Teacher Sherlene

 姐姐 making funny faces while waiting. 弟弟 during gift exchange.

The children exchanged snacks after their performance. 弟弟 is very happy as he is pleased with his performance and with having gifts and snacks.

姐姐 and 弟弟 playing at playground and having a snack at KFC

Some photos during lessons. Really hope he can pay more attention to teacher and listen to teacher's instruction. Teacher Sherlene did mention this class is more playful and she still want the parents to sit in even when they go for JXC. He can play well if he feels like it, but he is always rushed and did not follow timing. He is not that good at listening nor singing. Luckily he has quite big hands and the playing comes easily to him.

Practising "Cast A Spell"

Practicing "Samba King". See he looks so playful here.

The video, practicing "Samba King". The two boys in red t-shirts were busy being playful.

Practicing "Songs Of The Seasons"

As for 姐姐, she is progressing well onto JXC Solfege & Ensemble and Repertoire Book 3. Seems like her class was more mature. The teacher had requested to only have children in the class from JXC after a couple of months.

I took a snapshot of this picture in one of the studios. Yamaha didn't update their website and only hardcopy of this structure is available in their brochure. I guess they didn't think the current students or parents are interested as the school did not give this to us. It's another 7 years for 姐姐 and 9 years for 弟弟 :P

The progress structure for Yamaha Music Education System

JMC Book 2 Class Party

Another milestone for 弟弟! He completed JMC Book 2 and performed three songs at his JMC Book 2 class party. The children also sing Sky Games and did a cute dance Drumming Cat.

With 姐姐 before the party starts

Drawing number for performance.

Before singing Sky Games

For his solo performance, he played Hush A Bye, Party In The Sky and The Frenchfry Bandit. Here's the video I uploaded.

Getting ready to perform Drumming Cat

Gift exchange, 弟弟 got the present prepared by Elysia sitting at the back

Distribute goodies for the class

This post is dedicated to 爸爸 as he was on business trip and missed it. That's why 姐姐 came with us directly after school and is still in her school uniform. I forgot to bring a change of clothes for her since it's always hectic picking  her up with 弟弟 in tow. If you do school pickup for primary school children, you will know what I mean :)

Yamaha JMC Graduation Concert 2011 - Banana's Cha Cha ensemble

姐姐 had been at Yamaha music school since Jan 2008 from Music Kids program. So it had been 3 years, going on 4 years, how time flies! After 5 weeks of hard work, they performed a pretty good Banana's Cha Cha ensemble. Click here for the video we took of their Banana's Cha Cha ensemble performance: http://youtu.be/hHnA-oKxQNo

At the concert:

The girls with flower headbands and wristlets

Finally a lady-like pose for us

My favorite photo, serene amidst the action around her

Class photo with Ms Tan

With her teacher Ms Tan

They say Ginny is so funny with the twisties

With 弟弟's teacher, Ms Sherlyn

Recap the moments during extra classes to prepare for concert:

弟弟 at the back of the class as he wants to watch 姐姐's performance

Playing with flower garland lei.
This eventually ended up on the tamborines instead

Just know that after performance, the children go to the stage to get their graduation certificate. But the certificate has a blank with no name! Like a blank check... Why couldn't they at least print the child's name on it? And I don't remember teacher mention they will be wearing graduation robe, so luckily 姐姐's dress falls around her knees. Otherwise would look a little funny if she's wearing a mini skirt or if the boy's shorts are covered. Some of the children's performance is singing and dancing, but JMC is about learning to play isn't it? I hope 弟弟 get to play for his graduation concert next time. I mean, we could watch their dancing at their kindy concert and I want to watch 弟弟 perform his playing on stage next time.

It will be another year before they will take the first exam. Heard that only JMC have graduation concert so do not need to worry about concert at every level.