But before I change things around I wanted to do one last thing related to this format and that is to have a tiny little competition related to the banner above before it disappears forever. I quite like my little dusty brown banner and I am hereby promising to give away a shiny music compilation CD made by myself  to whoever can name the most artists represented in it. Now how exciting is that??

I am truly hoping at least one person makes an attempt (Alan, you'd never let me down would you). So scribble away your answers to conortje@gmail.com

Ryan will be playing in Sydney this coming Thursday (Wednesday in the U.S.) and it will be live online if you care to watch. Also playing are two other Colburn students, David Fung and Chun-Chieh Yen and three other U.S. pianists, Charlie Albright, Sean Chen and Eric Zuber.  You can find the times they are playing as well at the ABC link below.
All stages of the Competition will be broadcast live on TV throughout Australia and New Zealand and worldwide on the internet by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).  To access ABC’s online streaming and watch the players, go to abc.net.au/classic/sipca.
The site has been known to be down for heavy useage; I do believe the performances will be archived and can be watched later (especially if it is the middle of the night for you!).
The musicians start playing in the first round  Thursday, July 17 at 9:30 a.m. Sydney time. Each player gets about 20 minutes in this round, and Ryan plays sixth, so 11 a.m. Sydney time is a safe guess for when Ryan will play.  This will be his time both Thursday and Saturday, July 19 (second round) Sydney time.
The trick is to figure out what time that is for you; I think this will be 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 16 and 6 p.m., Friday, July 18 for those in California (Pacific time) or you can check here for the right time change timeanddate.com/worldclock.
Hope this helps and you get a chance to enjoy.  Should be great music for the whole event, and you can get a “front seat” for it all!

Enjoy,
Bonnie MacEvoy

Competition is the subject that we are going to discuss today, especially music competition. I took this subject because there are a lot of them coming, both domestic and abroad. Musicians travel at this time across the globe to participate, to judge, to attend these events.

Is competition the essence of working in arts? And why people stray from the real work in music to the realms of competition?

First of all, competition is a good thing. It is where people can prove themselves and all the works that they have done compared to other people. And usually it is done as a project in a limited span of time.

Eventhough competition cannot measure the progress of each contestant properly, but competition has always been a tool to do such things.

But for me competing is very different from working music. Working music is a constant struggle to contribute to the masses through music and works related to it. Working music also means that it is a continuous job, not just a mere project.

The big problem in Indonesia is that people concentrate more on competitions rather than the music work. People concern more on the topics of winning and losing a competition rather than a steady development of musical standards.

Competition can only serve as a milestone of the development of a choir, not the objective itself. Yet again in Indonesia, many feel that competition is the true objective of a choir. Winning a competition as the ultimate goal is quite popular here.

For example, we have quite a number of winners in various music competitions, both ensembles and individuals. And more of them are lined-up as a prize or merit winner in a competition.

But when do we see them performing music in the crowds, for public? Only a little fraction do so. Most of them disappear and unheard until the next competition or even years after the competition. It seems like these ensembles and individuals do music when it comes to competition and nothing else.

For me, doing so is not music making. Music making is always a vast area which is not only consist of doing music in a competition and winning it. Music making is developing the community through constant public musical activities.

Winning music or winning contestant is not the goal of music making. Music making is inspiring people, thus empowering people. Goal of music making is giving and contributing to people and community through the language of music, not through the language of gold medal and diplomas.

No wonder, people still cannot see the true wonders and beauty of music. It's because the music making stops at the winning stage of a competition, not winning the hearts of the people.

So now I challenge you, Competition for Art or Art for Competition? OR now Art for People? It's your call...

Pictures;

• http://www.coolbusinessideas.com/images/beat-competition.jpg
• http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/football/bob_blog/winner.jpg
• http://www.corrupt.org/articles/continuity/continuity.jpg

Colgate-Palmotive: Are you Music's Next Fresh Sound?
Competition Link
Entry Timeline: March 19, 2008 - April 14, 2008

So many singing competitions, so little time! From March 19, 2008 until April 14, 2008 you can enter a new online talent search competition hosted by Colgate-Palmotive (yes, the makers of toothpaste). You must submit a track from 15 contemporary songs listed on their website in order to qualify. There is a list of songs from different Genres you may choose from ranging from Country, Rock, Pop, Latin, and R&B. The judges of the competition are: Bryan-Michael Cox (Grammy Producer), Tito El Bambino (Recording artist), and Danyel Smith (Editor, Vibe Magazine)

What are you waiting for? Go enter now!!!

P.S. Sorry for the delayed notice ;) I'm a tad behind in my e-mail

ATHLETICS: At this Tuesdays House assembly students have the opportunity to sign up for events. Please make the effort to participate so RED HOUSE is represented in all events in every age group to score maximum points.