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National Day 2011
The National Day Parade (NDP) 2011 Show is presented in an integrated musical, showcasing the Singapore Spirit and Singapore's progress over a prologue and five acts. Stringing the acts together are several main characters and various renditions of this year's theme song "In a Heartbeat". The show tells the story of Singapore from the perspective of a family, focusing on two main characters- Mother and Son, whose story brings out different elements of the Singapore Spirit, with Singapore's history as the backdrop. The new theme song has been released to the general public and is open for viewing on Youtube. Throughout the video, the storyline is focused on a mother and her son, showing their and Singapore’s history, from its kampong days to its now-modern days.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This year’s song is very different from that of past years, of course. We will be doing a comparison of this year's National Day song with the previous years', from 2005 onwards.
2005: Reach Out For The Skies -- Taufik Batisah and Rui En
2006: My Island Home -- Kaira Gong
2007: There's No Place I'd Rather Be -- Kit Chan, (2nd song) Will You -- Janani Sridhar, Asha Edmund, Emma Yong, Lily Ann Rahmat, Jai Wahab, Shabir Mohammed, Sebestian Tan, Gani Karim
2008: Shine For Singapore -- Hady Mirza
2009: What Do You See -- Electrico
2010: Song For Singapore -- Corrinne May
2011: In A Heartbeat -- Sylvia Ratonel
Comparing this year's national day song to the previous years', we realise that the songs have become more emotional.
On an online forum, someone commented that the national day songs 10 years ago were easier to sing and remember and always talked about "Singaporeans working together, regardless of skin colour and language to work hard for our country to make [Singapore] a better place for everyone." He also said that the national day songs now are hard to sing and remember and that the songs are "trying very hard to convince Singaporeans that this is still our home". He feels that the national day songs don't evoke the patriotism in him anymore.
In our opinion, national day songs are supposed to make Singaporeans feel patriotic, to let the Singapore Spirit shine through. This year's theme just happens to be "Majulah! The Singapore Spirit". When I (Jean) was at Aljunied station the other day, I was approached by a man who handed me a card for me to pen down my thoughts on the Singapore Spirit. I don't know if it was just me but I found it very hard to answer the question. Looks like I have some reflecting to do.
20 April 2011
Glee
By Jean and Eda 1C
The second season is coming to an end soon, with less than 10 more episodes to go. This season also featured many celebrity guest stars, such as Charice, Britney Spears and Gwyneth Paltrow. There were also new changes, with The Warblers being introduced, Kurt transferring to the Dalton Academy for Boys and a new member joining New Directions! The episode ‘Original Songs’ had just aired, with New Directions clinching top spot in Regionals. It was especially tough as they were competing against Sue Sylverter’s Aural Intensity and The Dalton Academy Warblers.
New Directions performed two original songs for Regionals, ‘Get It Right’ and ‘Loser Like Me’, which was a big risk as they usually performed covers of songs. The Warblers performed ‘Candles’ by Hey Monday and ‘Raise Your Glass’ by Pink. Aural Intensity performed ‘Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine’.
Be sure to catch Season 2 of Glee!
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Friday, fun fun fun!
By Sharon (3M) and Aarathi (3O)
In February 2011, 13 year-old Rebecca Black debuted with the single ‘Friday’, becoming the newest ‘internet sensation’ just within a month of release. She is currently the most infamous internet sensation.
With far too simple lyrics and a bland tune, the song was on everyone’s blacklist. The appalling vocals of Rebecca did not help to promote her in any way either. In fact, reviewers quoted Friday as the ‘worst song recorded’ in history.
Rebecca was obviously dismayed by the reception from teenagers worldwide. It seems that a long time is needed for her to erase the tarnished impression she made on her viewers. Who knows how long it would take to do so? Only perseverance and a total makeover will allow Rebecca Black to carve a good name for herself in the music industry.
Check out her video on Youtube here!
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Cedaroink's top 10 glee songs!
Our opinion of which are the best Glee covers in the first season!
10. It's My Life/Confessions
9. True Colous
8. Rehab
7. Beautiful
6. Take A Bow
5. Last Name
4. Defying Gravity
3. Somebody To Love
2. And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going
1. ICE ICE BABY!
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SINGFEST
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Love them or Hate them...
21st April, 2010
Justin Bieber…the new JB?
By Geraldine Chua (class) and Rachel Rankine (class)
We have found ourselves under the spell of K-POP fever, which is less deadly than the swine flu, but just as contagious. As best as we can tell, it hits in five stages, which we’ve detailed here. Consider the following information a guide to help you identify what stage you’re in, and to see where you’re soon headed.
ZERO- DENIAL
So if you have a cure for K-POP fever, keep it, we’re not interested. We’re definitely not Sorry Sorry.
Friday, fun fun fun!
By Sharon (3M) and Aarathi (3O)
In February 2011, 13 year-old Rebecca Black debuted with the single ‘Friday’, becoming the newest ‘internet sensation’ just within a month of release. She is currently the most infamous internet sensation.
With far too simple lyrics and a bland tune, the song was on everyone’s blacklist. The appalling vocals of Rebecca did not help to promote her in any way either. In fact, reviewers quoted Friday as the ‘worst song recorded’ in history.
Rebecca was obviously dismayed by the reception from teenagers worldwide. It seems that a long time is needed for her to erase the tarnished impression she made on her viewers. Who knows how long it would take to do so? Only perseverance and a total makeover will allow Rebecca Black to carve a good name for herself in the music industry.
Check out her video on Youtube here!
_________________________________
Cedaroink's top 10 glee songs!
Our opinion of which are the best Glee covers in the first season!
10. It's My Life/Confessions
9. True Colous
8. Rehab
7. Beautiful
6. Take A Bow
5. Last Name
4. Defying Gravity
3. Somebody To Love
2. And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going
1. ICE ICE BABY!
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SINGFEST
SINGfest is a music festival held in Singapore Fort Canning Park
On Day 1, there was a line-up of performances. The first band to perform was the 60’s style band The Like, followed by Australian singer-guitarist Orianthi, Korean sensation Wonder Girls, German phenomenon Tokio Hotel, and the sizzling Katy Perry. Majority of the audience thought that the best performance that night was the spectacular show put up by Katy Perry and that the Wonder Girls provided plain disappointment with their voice. This was backed by the fact that the Wonder Girls was the first Korean artiste to enter the Billboard Hot 100 with Nobody.
Adding flavor to the 4th August line-up are soulful Jully Black, bluesy Diane Birch and hip hop superstar Lupe Fiasco. And where old school fun is cherished with Kool and the Gang, you’ll also get notoriously talented Kanye West on a love lockdown. Midweek Wednesday is move and groove and this is where you party all night long.
For the music rebels, 5th August is the time to blow your mind away with your favorite bands. Get to the front of stage and be electrified by the diverse sounds of Smashing Pumpkins, Hail the Villain, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Vines and Ian Brown.
The last SINGfest held in 2008 was sold out, attracting 20,000 fans over 2 days. This year, dates are extended due to popular demand making it a 3-day festival. During the festivals, there was a high turnout of people. Most concert-goers stayed till the last act at 2am, despite it being held on weekdays.
We take a closer look at National Day theme songs
You are sitting in front of the television, preparing for a day of spacing out when the music video for the National Day theme song comes on. You immediately perk up, recognizing familiar faces in the video. You stare at the screen before it finally hits you. Two of the characters in the video are from our very own school!
Ms Lim Hwee Sian, a music teacher at Cedar, is coincidentally playing a music teacher on-screen as well, while Jynnlin, a Secondary Three student here, is playing the younger version of her.
Moving on, what we really want to focus on today is the theme song. Sing for Singapore was written and sung by Corrinne May, a Singaporean-born singer who is currently based in the United States.
What we like about the song is that the lyrics are really heartwarming, and the tune is a refreshing change from the up-tempo beats of theme songs from a few years before (remember the dance specially choreographed to Reach Out For The Skies?) However, many people have trouble with singing the song, as it is pitched at a high range.
Speaking of trouble with singing - remember last year’s theme song, ‘What Do You See?’ People complained that younger children or the older generation did not enjoy the song because it was “too different from its predecessors”. Perhaps it was too big a step in songwriting for NDP theme songs – unlike songs from years before, it sounded like music you would find in clubs. Well, this year, we have the exact opposite: Sing for Singapore’s tune appeals to the masses, and it gives people a sense of familiarity. Oh, and have you noticed the vast difference in pitches of the songs? Electrico’s lead singer has a notably lower singing voice than Corrinne May’s!
Therefore, maybe the contrast between the two songs is the cause for the cries of “too high!” from the few nay-sayers. But we have an interesting nugget of information for you all: a dance remix of Sing for Singapore will be performed by Sezairi Sezali and Sylvia Ratonel, the two finalists for the latest season of Singapore Idol. So perhaps the crowd will be getting high (no pun intended) at the National Day Parade after all!
Written by:
Andrea Oh (2m)
Gabrielle (2P)
Aneri Shah (2C)
Ko Yu Hui (2o)
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21st April, 2010
Justin Bieber…the new JB?Nuruldiyanah Yahya (2I)
Say ta-ta to the Jonas Brothers and hello to the new JB, Justin Bieber! The solo Justin Bieber has triumphed the Jonas trio. Ever since his first single ‘One Time’ became a huge sucess, many girls have become star-struck by the sixteen year old hearthrob. Well, the most likely reason fans from the Jonas are moving to Justin because Justin is new, young and hot.
The Jonas Brothers’ most recent album ‘Lines, Vines and Trying Times’ was not a huge success. Most of the songs on the album have transitioned from pop to country , leaving many of their original fans behind. Kevin, the oldest Jonas brother, just got married, another sign that they are getting a little too old to be teen idols. Nick, the middle brother is working on ‘Nick Jonas and the Administration’ with former members of Power Generation. This just shows that the brothers are breaking apart.
Justin on the other hand, allures his fans with his R&B/pop love songs like his new single ‘Baby’ and ‘Eenie meenie’ featuring Sean Kingston. His cute face and smile always seem to melt peoples’ hearts, including Ellen Degeneres during his first interview with her on her show. He’s a good rapper too. On the ‘Jay Leno Show’, Justin performed ‘Baby’ with he himself rapping Ludacris parts. Impressive, I must say.
Let’s just hope Justin will stay widely popular in this industry. And to the Jonas fans, most of you will move on to Justin sooner or later.
High on K-Pop
By Geraldine Chua (class) and Rachel Rankine (class)Super Junior, SHINee, f(x), Wonder Girls, DBSK, Girl’s Generation, Epik High, 2AM, 2PM, Big Bang, 2NE1, U-Kiss, MBLAQ…
Do any of these sound familiar to you?
We have found ourselves under the spell of K-POP fever, which is less deadly than the swine flu, but just as contagious. As best as we can tell, it hits in five stages, which we’ve detailed here. Consider the following information a guide to help you identify what stage you’re in, and to see where you’re soon headed.
ZERO- DENIAL
- You never and will never have a Korean song stuck in your head.
- You think that all Korean guys look the same. “How do you tell them apart?”
- You gape at people who accidentally bump into you and start dancing Sorry, Sorry
- You look at your Taylor Swift CD and say, “How can any of them compare to you?” and kiss it.
- Your friends show you their music videos and you get bored and leave halfway.
- You occasionally have a Korean song stuck in your head.
- You think that some of the Korean guys look okay, but still look the same to you.
- You laugh at people who accidentally bump into you and start dancing Sorry, Sorry.
- You have a few of their music videos on your ipod.
- You collect only some of their pictures, specifically those that look good.
- You look at your Taylor Swift CD and say, “Some of the Korean guys are prettier than you.”
- You have a Korean song stuck in your head everyday.
- You know how to tell the difference between Korean guys now.
- You dance Sorry, Sorry with the people who accidentally bump into you.
- You look at your Taylor Swift CD and say “Don’t worry, I still love you.”
- You collect some of their music videos. “WHAT? Some of their dances are quite good!”
- You stop listening to English music (maybe entirely).
- You have to spazz over your favourite idol/singer every 5 seconds or you will feel guilty (and you even spazz about girl groups now).
- You dance Sorry Sorry at every chance you get.
- You have over a thousand k-pop related videos on your ipod.
- You don’t talk to your Taylor Swift CD anymore.
So if you have a cure for K-POP fever, keep it, we’re not interested. We’re definitely not Sorry Sorry.
