Guzheng

When I first joined the Guzheng CCA, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I even thought it might be boring and chose it simply because I needed a CCA to fill my time. However, I’m so glad I stayed because it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! Playing the guzheng is enjoyable and calming, and I’ve had so much fun learning new skills and improving along the way. Most importantly, I’m grateful for the wonderful friends I’ve made here. We’ve learnt together, laughed together, and created so many happy memories. I’m also thankful to our teachers for always being encouraging and supportive, even when our performances didn’t go as well as we had hoped. Thank you, everyone, for making my Guzheng CCA journey such a memorable and enjoyable one. I’m truly happy and proud to be part of this wonderful Guzheng family!

I joined the Guzheng CCA without any prior experience, and through this journey, I have learnt the importance of resilience and perseverance. Learning to play the guzheng was challenging at first, as I had to master the correct plucking techniques, coordinate my fingers and read musical notes. Learning to play a song was not easy, but with consistent practice and determination, I gradually improved my skills and became more confident. Being part of the Guzheng CCA has also taught me that teamwork and cooperation are essential, regardless of our individual abilities. By supporting one another and working towards a common goal, we can achieve more together. Overall, my experience in the Guzheng CCA has helped me become a more resilient, patient and cooperative person. It has taught me that with perseverance, teamwork and a willingness to learn, I can overcome challenges and achieve more than I could on my own.

Joining the Guzheng CCA at Yishun Secondary School has allowed me to learn many new guzheng techniques and develop important values such as teamwork and perseverance. During rehearsals, our tempo would sometimes become inconsistent when different sections played too fast or too slowly. I learned to adjust my playing to match the ensemble’s tempo so that we could perform in sync and create harmonious music together. Guzheng has also taught me the importance of perseverance. When faced with challenging passages, we continued practising and encouraged one another until we could play them confidently on stage. These experiences have helped me grow as both a leader and a CCA member. I am grateful for the valuable lessons and meaningful experiences that Guzheng has brought me.

Being the Chairperson of the Guzheng Ensemble has been a meaningful and enriching experience. Through this role, I have learnt the importance of leadership, responsibility and effective communication. Organising CCA activities, coordinating with teachers and members, and ensuring that practices run smoothly have taught me to be more organised, proactive and adaptable. Working closely with the EXCO team and other members has also taught me to be patient, understanding and supportive, as teamwork and mutual respect are essential to the success of the ensemble. Most importantly, this experience has helped me grow in confidence and understand that being a leader is not just about giving instructions, but also about leading by example, listening to others and encouraging everyone to work together towards a common goal.