SAFRA PK Challenge Round 3

PK Challenge Round 2 - 老歌新唱

The 8 singers were required to sing 80's or earlier song releases and deliver them in their own way!

We got to enjoy really 'happening' songs! 大眼睛，我要你的爱，十五的月亮，热情的沙漠....
The audience was getting very hot and cheered along!!!

And remember we invited 2 external challengers?

..... Both of them successfully 'killed' 2 singers and sent them to !

First up - We had Roy Lim, who is a regular performer and a competitions go-er who had won many champions. He was once a regular vocalist in an local unplugged cafe too.

Second - We had Xazz 微恩. She was spotted in 2006 in a nationwide talent competition - NUS Rhapsody and had released an self-titled album in end 2007. Her next album is due to release in these few months' time, comprising of a duet, recorded together with 迷路兵.

Watch this video to enjoy the 5 PK rounds captured last Saturday...




2 Eliminated singers: Kenny Khoo & Karen Loo.
We are now left with 6 singers.


Round 4 Theme: 动感快歌


...plus, there will be another 2 external challengers this week.
Both have singles/EP released in 2008/09.... Wanna know who they are?

Come on down to SAFRA Mount Faber at 3pm this Saturday!

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SAFRA PK Challenge Round 2

PK Challenge Round 2 - 外语歌曲

Catch this video...a recap of the Round 2 PKs!





2 Eliminated Singers: Cordelia Lim & Ng Kok Leong...
Now, we are left with 8 singers.

Round 3 Theme: 老歌新唱 (80s and earlier)

....and, there will be 2 External Challengers!

1 challenger is a local singer who has 1 album under her belt....another is a regular competition-go-ers, who has won many champions....

Wanna know who they are??

Come on down to SAFRA Mount Faber this Saturday at 3pm to catch the live action!

...and starting this week, audience can participate to vote their top 3 favourite singers!
The winner of the Most Popular Singer will stand to win attractive prizes such as hotel stay! Results will be tabulated and revealed during the Grand Final on 14 Nov!

Not only that!!!

All those who vote will also stand a chance to win in a lucky draw to win more than $100 worth of prizes.

Don't hesitate.
Make a date with us!

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SAFRA PK Challenge Round 1

Last Saturday, we witnessed Round One of the debut SAFRA PK Challenge at SAFRA Mount Faber Clubhouse.

It was a nice, sunny afternoon... and with the stage set-up, just beside the swimming pool, we just couldn't resist wanting to take a dip in the pool! ....All right, jokes aside.
Well, it was the 1st time for us to hear these singers out. Truthfully, all the 12 singers are really strong singers! We had such an entertaining afternoon.

The theme for that round was '拿手歌曲Their Signature Song'.

Well, it's not hard to guess why... it's the first time these 12 strong singers meet the 'audience', so of course they must show the best to everyone, isn't it. :)


We were enjoyed listening to very challenging songs such as, 黑色幽默，勇敢，不能说的秘密，真的，曲终人散，etc...


..... and the PK fights were close！We kept seeing, 2 strong singers meeting each other. We even had a draw fight....but still, we had to determine a winner and a loser.



Here, some photos captured during last Saturday for you!







Our hosts for the entire event - Jack and Cherry




Yes, the 12 singers. Waiting for start of event!



Introducing them up on stage.

Introducing...Yeo Khim Woo, Loo Yong Shi Karen, Lim Jia Yi Cordelia, Yeo Shi Kiat Leslie, Khoo Yin Long Kenny, Lin Kailun Karen, Choo Siew Ping Sheryl, Clara Yap Huimin, Ng Kok Leong, Eddie Soh Kwee Ee, Bai Jun Long & Cai Kiang Liang

Judge - He Qing, a veteran performer, giving her valuable comments before the start of the PKs.

Singers, starting to draw lots to determine whom they are going to face-offs with.

Giving their all!

An emotive delivery...

Cheers from audiences! YEAH!!!

Scoring time: Cherry, collecting the score cards from judges.

No...they are not playing pokers....


The pokers cards are the score cards. The gigantic cards will represent the points each judge has given them. Now, the host - Jack is revealing the scores one by one.. Oh my, this is very interesting and exciting..

Showing the scores!

Giving individual singer comments on their performance.

This week's theme is 外语歌曲.

Yap, you can expect English numbers, Canto numbers, maybe even Hokkien numbers!

Hmm, sounds much more interesting than last week!

So, c'mon down to SAFRA Mount Faber Clubhouse on coming Saturday (17 Oct) at 3pm and enjoy an entertaining afternoon!

By the way, it's a public holiday this Saturday.

I bet you are free. *Wink!*

View this video capture on all the 6 PKs challenges!

Courtesy of http://www.in2it.sg/

P.S.: 2 were eliminated last Saturday-Cai Kiang Liang and Leslie Yeo. So, 10 singers left in the coming round and another 2 will be eliminated again. Who will that be???

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Graduation Concert - Accelerated Guitar Mastery!

Our Inaugural Accelerated Guitar Mastery 3-day Programme Graduation Concert was conducted on 4th October to a full-house in Performing Studio@Hark.

It was definitely an exciting day for the 8 students.

After going through an intensive 3 full day programme, they were all geared up, ready and totally enthusiastic to present their graduation songs to their family and friends!

We have Amy, Max and TengTeng, all total beginners in guitaring when you flashed back just 4-weeks ago, performing ‘Heaven’, ‘Yellow’, 矜持 by Faye respectively.

…and we have Travis, Jelina, Albert, Eugene, Benedict who all had prior guitaring background (some has learnt more than 10 yrs), performing Girl from Ipanema, 让我想一想, 海阔天空, 一百种生活 and If tomorrow never comes.

All cheers were on them!

At the same time, we were very glad to receive very positive feedback and testimonials from the students themselves after the entire programme.

We were touched.......


“I was mesmerized by the programme in the sense that the course gave me an edge in excelling myself in a short period of time. I must basically thank Amos, who lead the program and Jensen, who empowered me in many aspects of life, no only in guitar. And, all the friends I’ve met here who encouraged me a lot…” Benedict Goh


“After going through these 3 days, I feel that I’ve benefitted a lot, not just in terms of guitar skills which I had none to begin with. Other than that, I’ve learnt to be really determined to play the song well, and it’s not easy, cause as a beginner, it’s really painful. So it’s only after endless training and encouragement from my instructors in Hark that I’ve really learnt a lot and improved.

I feel that I really need to thank everyone here and I’ve never regretted for signing up this course.” Amy Ng


“I was actually very skeptical about this AGM in the beginning because I was wondering how much could I learn in 3 days. But now, it has really put no doubt in me that you can really get the most out of yourself, out of Hark Music from this course because what I’ve got out of, is more than what I’ve expected.

Like the master class from Amos himself, the music director…cause I didn’t know that Hark Music’s syllabus is unique to Hark and he conceived this. It’s really good to know how he came up with all these, his guitar skills, as he, himself is a self-directed musician, so it’s a rare insight.

Most of all, I’m very glad that I’ve improved a lot, more than I’ve imagined in such a short timeframe. And what’s better is I’m even more motivated, even more inspired to learn more things in the future on my own.” Travis Shumlim



Here are the valuable photo captures and memories of that very special day.



Everyone, having a briefing before the start of the concert.


Guys, all ready to rock the house!


A group photo, with full audiences behind!


Show starts! We also played a video which captured the moments in the 3 days and a 'before-transformation' video of all the 8 students.


The Master Trainers, Amos & Jensen.


Relaxed moments before their performances.


Amy, a total beginner in guitar, performed Heaven by Bryan Adams. Yes, she can play and sing on stage in just weeks!


Max, performed Yellow by Coldplay. A great improvement, from not being able to change the chords in time just 3 weeks ago!


Teng Teng, sang and played the guitar. Though a seasoned performer, this was something she has never done before.


Travis, a breakthrough for him - being able to deliver a challenging song - Girl from Ipanema.


Albert, performing 海阔天空. Great charisma from him!


Jelina, performing 让我想一想. A sweet rendition.



Now, the 'getting the certificates' ceremony... SMILES!


















....And, not forgetting, the group photos, of course!!!!






CHEERS!!! Great job, students!

Keep the passion going...

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SAFRA PK Challenge starts this Saturday (10 Oct)!

Twelve finalists have been selected!

Round One starts this Saturday (10 Oct) 2-5pm, at Mount Faber SAFRA Clubhouse!
There will be 5 rounds from 10, 17, 24, 31 Oct and 7 Nov.
The Grand Finals is at 14 Nov, at KBOX Cineleisure!

As the name suggests, this is a PK Challenge, meaning ‘Player Kill’. Singers will face-off with another opponent. Winner stays and loser face the possibility of elimination at the end of the round.

Another exciting element of this event is there will be various themes for all the rounds.

Round 1 (10 Oct): 我的代表歌曲
Round 2 (17 Oct): 外语歌曲 (English, Canto, Malay)
Round 3 (24 Oct): 老歌新唱
Round 4 (31 Oct): 动感快歌
Round 5 (7 Nov): 深情感慨

Oh yes…it’s going to be so engaging & entertaining!

I heard there are many strong singers in the pool! So, let's come on down to SAFRA Mount Faber Clubhouse this Saturday and see the action live!

Remember, it starts at 3pm! See you there!=====================================

By the way, just a small little 'entertaining' videos taken during the auditions, just for some laughters. Taken and edited by http://www.in2it.sg/

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Featured HPT Performer: Lim Jing Hui

How do you feel when you have been shortlisted for HPT?Unbelievable and excited to embark on this new musical journey. I can utilize the skills I have learnt and continue improving.

What song did you present during your HPT audition and why did choose that song?
I did a total of 3 songs! 最近 for the 1st audition, 天黑黑 and我要快乐 for the 2nd audition. No particular reasons for choosing the songs, but those were the songs I’ve learnt in class.

Do you see improvements so far in yourself after joining HPT?
Definitely, in all aspects. Listening back to the recording of my very 1st performance in HPT, it sounded so awful then. Haha! Thanks to Amos for the valuable comments, which help us to improve our skills and Jane for her ongoing guidance, even though, I have completed the pop piano course. =D

If you have a choice to team up with an instructor for a performance, who will it be? And why?Vocalist or Guitarist? If it’s a vocalist, it would be Maggie because I love the way she presents a song, full of variations and she is my vocal instructor. If it’s a guitarist, it would be Amos (Music director) because his playing is really cool and inspiring.

What do you look forward to achieve with your team-mates within this year?
This year is ending soon, looking forward to have a wider range of song genres.

What do you think is the most important that a performer should have?
Attitude is the most important aspect. A performer with the finest skills without a proper attitude and mindset will be deficient.
Being humble and willing to learn, not being over complacent of what you have, because learning has no limits. Likewise, being receptive to feedbacks is also important for a performer to advance to the next higher level.

What makes you decide to join Hark Music?
The content of Hark’s website portrayed its professionalism and this created an attraction to people in believing its capability. Oh, I remembered, I enquired through email and their reply was very efficient and detailed.

What benefits you the most while attending the lessons with Hark Music?
It is the place where I acquired my playing and singing skills. Thanks to the great instructors, Jane and Maggie for their guidance, which have instilled a stronger music passion in me. Lessons with them make learning easier and fun always.

Describe a memorable experience in Hark Music.
It was during the cafe days when I would be there every weekend with my group of friends. The atmosphere was great and the live band session was really inspiring.

What do you like most about Hark Music?It is a place like home, a big family. The cozy environment, the friendly staffs/ instructors and what’s more, the free usage of rooms for practice.

Any comments/feedbacks about the school for our readers?
Hark Music is definitely a place for learning with its up-to-date syllabus, inspiring instructors and the opportunity to have on-stage learning through Saturday’s Open Stage performance.

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