I study for nothing?

mahawarrior SG

I'm currently studying in a JC, year 2 this year. Meanwhile, it's also time for me to start deciding which course in the university I want to take up, should I clear my A'levels.

I took a look at most of the courses provided by our local universities, yet, almost none of the courses interest me at all. Physical science, chemical engineering, aero-physics, law, etc etc. All boring courses.

But of course, I'm not without an aim or a goal in my life. I had actually decided on the one thing I really want to do even before I took my O'levels. I want to be in the music industry (as in like professional concert pianist...not like 5566 or S.H.E that kind)

I went to take a look at the entry requirement for the local music/arts schools such as Yong Siew Toh or NAFA or La Salle. It was to my greatest and deepest disappointment that my A'level cert. is not going to help me much in entering such instituitions at all!

Instead, I must have a 'professional musical background' to enter such schools. Meaning, I should have a music diploma or at least a grade 8 in music.

And the most regretable thing is, my family do not have such financial means to support me a music lesson at all. We could hardly come out with the money to pay for the house, much less piano lessons, or a grade 8 cert.! I self-teach myself piano...but I must say it's really difficult to reach a certain standard without professional guidance and help.

So at the end of the day, it boils down to one thing. I can't enter the music industry in Singapore because I don't have money. Worst thing is, it does not matter how hard I study for my A'level, it does not matter how well I score...at the end of the day it all means NOTHING for me!

What then, is the point of studying so hard?

It suddenly dawned on me that the so call meritocracy does not really exist in Singapore at all. We are still living in an elitist state after all. I'm so sad.

Devil1976 SG

That's just life kid.

For all you might know, there could be a great genius borned and starving to death within days of his / her birth now...?

bryanseb SG

Laughing

Eric Cartman SG

You studied for good grades so that you can continue having the boring kind of life that you had in school. So if you hated studying but still perservered anyway, you got a longer way to persevere on. (probably until you retire when you are old and haggard)

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Originally posted by mahawarrior:
I'm currently studying in a JC, year 2 this year. Meanwhile, it's also time for me to start deciding which course in the university I want to take up, should I clear my A'levels.

I took a look at most of the courses provided by our local universities, yet, almost none of the courses interest me at all. Physical science, chemical engineering, aero-physics, law, etc etc. All boring courses.

But of course, I'm not without an aim or a goal in my life. I had actually decided on the one thing I really want to do even before I took my O'levels. I want to be in the music industry (as in like professional concert pianist...not like 5566 or S.H.E that kind)

I went to take a look at the entry requirement for the local music/arts schools such as Yong Siew Toh or NAFA or La Salle. It was to my greatest and deepest disappointment that my A'level cert. is not going to help me much in entering such instituitions at all!

Instead, I must have a 'professional musical background' to enter such schools. Meaning, I should have a music diploma or at least a grade 8 in music.

And the most regretable thing is, my family do not have such financial means to support me a music lesson at all. We could hardly come out with the money to pay for the house, much less piano lessons, or a grade 8 cert.! I self-teach myself piano...but I must say it's really difficult to reach a certain standard without professional guidance and help.

So at the end of the day, it boils down to one thing.[b] I can't enter the music industry in Singapore because I don't have money. Worst thing is, it does not matter how hard I study for my A'level, it does not matter how well I score...at the end of the day it all means NOTHING for me!

What then, is the point of studying so hard?

It suddenly dawned on me that the so call meritocracy does not really exist in Singapore at all. We are still living in an elitist state after all. I'm so sad.[/b]

After your JC, you go NS lor. Min. each month can get $350. With A Level, Should be at least $400.

$400 x 24 = $9600.

Dont worry lah, grade 8 very easy to get 1.

pinkish purple papayas SG

Dude, the government says we are gonna be a trading hub, financial hub, logistic hub, shipping hub, IT hub, medical hub, retail hub and starhub. They did not say we are gonna be a music hub.

Didn't mediacork dramas also stereotype musical-artistic people as homeless, rebellous and poor people?

better listen to the goverment lah...after study A level do ur ns, after ns go continue your study and then can work in some hubs.. We shall progress together and no one will be left behind!

Mahjulah Singapura!!

jay_rocks SG

migrate to other ctry

Chin Eng SG

get a grip, kid.... at JC2, you have already missed the boat if you want to be professional concert pianist.

folks doing that as a career had their training as young as maybe 2 yrs.

actually, I don't know what you are complaining about.... you obviously have some intellect and have acquire some level of academic success, what's wrong with developing those?

I really don't understand what the problem is.... on one hand you blame your lack of money and then you complain about meritocracy.... these two things are not related.

what we dream we want to be, we may not get it - that's part of life.

instead of crying over spilt milk, instead channel your energy towards what you can achieve.

Eric Cartman SG

argh wtf is wrong with me today i keep double posting

alexkusu SG

how u know im starving Crying or Very sad

blu_sky SG

you cant be the genius he is talking about!

cos you not dead yet Laughing

alexkusu SG

Im alive, yet not living. Dead, yet not departed~

blu_sky SG

still, he need to start from scratch!

anyway, like he said, he no money to take music courses, got money to migrate meh?

red_amoeba SG

hey dude, this is a realistic world. You said your family cannot afford to put you to music school, so the only way, to pursue your interest will be to do it on your own.

so, finish JC, pass with flying colors or what not, get a scholarship to go U, so that your family need not fork out the extra income. Do a degree, whichever that you think you can cope, Engineering or something, come back, get a paper pushin job & start saving....being a scholar, you probably be planted in a cushy job that pay you quite well, you shld be able to save aside quite a far bit. Once you saved enough or after you completed your bond, whichever is later, quit and pursue your dreams....

I dunno if there is any certification tests that you can take without any lessons, if so, get it. If not, try to apply for some job that plays the piano, either at a lounge or hotel lobby, usually they will ask for on-site demo, charm them with your skills and you can play and earn some keep. When there is opportunity, ask company to sponsor your further education in music.

Of course, the steadfast way is to depend on your own to fulfil your dream. Its never too old to pursue your music dream (since you are financially constrained).

If not, you can buy some TOTO or 4D every week and hope to tio the first prize.....just joking.

Pitot SG

Hi,

U shld have went to NAFA right after ur O's.

However, that takes alot of support from your family.

After ur diploma course here you can have a chance to further onto a degree.

If you think that it is what you want to do, it is not too late.

I have seen people who quit JC halfway to be here, people who quit Uni halfway to be here too. Its all about what you want.

Pitot SG

I did abit of research for you on my sch website. and came up with this.

After your A lvls u can apply for fast track.

Diploma in Music

Students who have taken 'A' level (not necessarily in music) and have either 'O' level in Music or ABRSM Grade 8 practical and theory (or its equivalent) may, subject to audition / interview, be granted advanced standing and will commence the course from Year 2.

Applicants will be required to attend a portfolio / audition interview and a special panel will assess each applicant's eligibility.

Although its a long shot, afterall in the arts scene, we tend to look more at your talent. If you have what it takes, it shouldnt be a problem at all.

M©+square SG

It takes more than Music Diploma or Hons cert to enter the Music and entertaining industry.

Doesn't work out that way, you think Entertaining Industry is like Law and Medical Industry? Then you have no idea what Arts and Music is.

What i'm saying is, it's not the end of the world if you can't get a cert. There are other means to enter the industry, in a humble position though.

Ask yunnie if you don't believe me.

Cheers

blu_sky SG

True. i dont think Tony Leung got a degree in drama too.

Chin Eng SG

I think that the TS specifically wanted to be a professional concert pianist - that's the problem. This kind of career normally has to be staged throughout the formative years of one's life. Unless he is born a prodigy, it is unlikely that at this late stage of his youth, he is able to achieve his goal.

It is possible for one to start acting late in life, but to be a concert musician... I don't think that's possible - for a good physical reason - one's limbs will not be soft and flexible enough to go to the rigors of the training that a young person can go through.

Pitot SG

TS is making it seems as though he has no where to turn to.

However it is not the case, like other who said above, in this industry its more than qualifications....