Kassia Men's Chorus accompanist

Katterwall: What is your musical background?
Bonnie: I started learning the piano when I was 5, later I sang in school choirs and played for them occasionally. When I got into university, I struggled between the choice of literature and music. I eventually chose English literature however whilst there I participated enthusiastically in University Choirs and became their pianist. Now it seems that I enjoy making music together more than analyzing a book alone. After graduation, I picked up piano again with Mr. Stephen Wong and now I'm practising for my FTCL Exam which I hope to sit this Autumn.

K: How did you get involved with Katterwall?
B: I distinctively remember the day I first met Bethan. It was June 2005 during the opening of an Italian Food Festival at Festival Walk. She sang a solo and I played the accompaniment for her without a proper rehearsal as that was the first time I'd ever met her! Half a year later, Katterwall invited me to play for a property launch project. I initially knew Celia from my university choir so it was her that introduced me to Katterwall. (Thank you!)

K: Aside for Kassia Men's Chorus, which other groups also are you playing for at the moment?
B: The Ella Kiang Singers, Lamour Strings (a wedding quartet) and I'm also accompanying vocal classes at St. Paul's Co-ed College, Primary School.

K: Which Kassia Men's Chorus term did you like the most and why?
B: "Feelin’ Groovy" at Amici in March 2008. The place is really fantastic for a small group and the songs were great!

K: What is your favourite genre of music to play on piano?
B: If I had to pick, I'd pick Romantic music. I'm definitely thrilled by piano solo pieces but I was captured by Rachmaninoff's “Piano Concerto No. 3” - I remembered spending most of my break time (between lessons) in the music library, indulging myself with this great piece.

K: When and what is your next performance other than Kassia Men's Chorus show on Thursday 18^th June?
B: I'm currently accompanying ATCL vocal exams and there are some weddings and gigs coming up. My next public appearance will be small gig at Cultural Centre Foyer on 23^rd May with the Ella Kiang Singers. They will also be having a concert on 10^th July at City Hall Theatre, performing Gilbert & Sullivan's "Trial by Jury" plus some other musical excerpts. I'm looking forward to it!

It is a technique to teach sight singing invented by English minister John Curwen.

Curwen felt the need for a simple way of teaching how to sing through his experiences amongst Sunday school teachers. He thought that music should be easily accessible to all classes and ages of people.

Each note of the scale is sung to a special syllable. In English-speaking countries the usual syllables are: do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and ti (think “Sound Of Music”) and can be sung together with specific hand signs, which aid learning.

Traditionally, the sol fa system (or Solfege) is taught through a series of exercises of gradually increasing difficulty. It is taught at many conservatories of music throughout the world... and also at Singing'SKool!!

If you would like your child to learn how to use the Sol Fa system to improve their sight singing, drop us a line in the office!!

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solfege
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_sol-fa

May
4^th onwards : Singing'SKool for 9-12 year old starts its next term.

16^th : Katterwall's Junior Recital Our school age students perform to family and friends.

June
5^th : Katterwall's Adult Recital Our adults perform to family and friends.

13^th : Michael Jackson Live In Hong Kong RTHK live show featuring Soho Collective @ Grappas.

15^th : Raising The Roof 2009 with Kassia Choirs & Friends @ HK Cultural Centre, T.S.T.
Tickets from URBTIX from mid-May.

18^th : Day Tripper – a Tribute to the Beatles with Kassia Men's Chorus @ Amici, Wanchai.
Tickets from Katterwall Office from mid-May.

July / August
Singing lessons at Katterwall studio throughout the summer.
Drop celia@katterwall.com a line to enquire about availability.

5^th August : Summer Fling 2009 with Kassia Men and Women begins rehearsals.