1st movement. Black Friday

Grave, senza caffè

Friday the 13th. 6 and a half hours of rehearsal at Singapore Indoor Stadium, and the worst part was this...

No coffee.

I almost died that day.

2nd movement. Hectic Valentine

Andante chottomate

A very hectic Valentine's Day it was for me and my precious this year. Both our mornings were spent teaching, after which we met at Esplanade and spent an enjoyable early afternoon reading over each other's shoulders. I loved the card she made me.

You make me feel so special.

T'was my idea to have lunch at Chocz, where we enjoyed chocolate fondue. To my great relief, the place was near-deserted when we arrived at about 1.30pm, as were most of the restaurants in Esplanade.

And a good thing too, because with all those rehearsals, I seriously don't have the energy or time to figure out where to eat, much less make a booking days in advance... Heck, I almost didn't have time to shop for your penguin.

After lunch, something happened which threatened to make that day the worst Valentine's Day ever.

Her mum wanted to meet us.

I'll admit I was really unhappy about precious wanting to cover up the fact that we're a couple... for the simple reason that 'meet-the-parents' usually doesn't happen til after a couple goes official, and for the trouble we went through (read: trauma inflicted on me), we could at least be officially recognized for it...

But by the time the concert came round, our cover was eventually blown, so no more complaints.

Left for the concert at about 4.30pm from school, with four cans of coffee from Carrefour. Muahahahaha...

The concert was pretty fine. We didn't get tired out with a whole day's rehearsal unlike Friday. The actual thing was so-so. The lights were pretty disturbing as usual. The whole cello section fell asleep during one song. We missed about two bars before I woke up and cued us all in. We also fumbled the high D# in My Funny Valentine. I was probably the one who played out of tune. =/

Reached home at near to 1am a very tired young man.

3rd movement: Uncertain Future

Finale. Con poco Sibelius.

After this concert, it's time to put down the bow and take a long, hard look at my future.

Princess made a splash at Composers' Seminar today, which she sat in for since Piano Performance was cancelled. <3

I'm proud of you, my love.

So far, most of my friends have been of the opinion that it's time for me to take a break from orchestra and join choir for the last term of school.

However, one dissenting voice in the crowd, from the unlikeliest of people, makes me hesitate.

Why?

Basically I told LTH about my decision. And he advised me against quitting. It's strange that of all people I would actually listen to him, but I also realized that he's actually the closest thing to the instrumentalist/composer double major I strive for, and he really understands the pain I'm going through.

He said some things I don't see eye to eye with, however.

He told me to remain in orchestra and do even better, and then I will receive my due reward.

I TOTALLY DISAGREE.

It isn't difficult to see that Mr Biased Old Nazi will still have only one person in his eye, however much I improve and work. And over the course of these one-and-three-quarter years, I have toiled and shed blood, sweat and tears for a master who is unappreciative of my effort.

It's probably far easier to quit and let him feel the pain of not having me around. Then he'll realize how important I truly am to this orchestra.

Even if he doesn't swallow his pride and want me back (which he isn't likely to, anyway), he'll still learn a lesson and treat everyone more fairly.

One person does not a cello section make.

But... one person can a cello section break. (At least temporarily.)

He said that Naziface isn't an evil person, and that he has seen far worse in his lifetime. That much I know. Also, favouritism is human nature.

But this guy's blatant favouritism transcends the boundaries of social acceptability...

In any case, I have about two days to make my decision. Maybe I can stretch it to a week or so. I want to try negotiating with the authorities to let me play for the Nelson Mass but not for the April concert.

Above all, I'm heartened by the fact that you're there for me whatever my final decision is... <3