Saturday, November 25, 2006

The Fritz Quartet at CHIJMES Hall

07 November 2006

"It's been a great performance and many of the guests are singing praises." -Katherine, The Event Age Pte Ltd.

The Fritz Quartet collaborated with The Event Age Ptd Ltd, to perform for a Schroders event at the Chijmes Hall today. Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education and Mrs Jennifer Yeo, Secretary for Viva Foundation For Children with Cancer graced the event.


Positioned on stage for the opening, we started with Hornpipe from 'The Water Music' by G. F. Handel followed by other refreshing and light classical pieces. The Chijmes Hall, which once served as a Convent’s Chapel, created the perfect setting for our music. The Bach and Mozart pieces worked exceptionally well in creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and invigorating. With the guests streaming in and mingling freely with their champagne glasses toasting in the air, we gradually set the pace of our music to something more lively and animated. Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik with its rhythmic dynamism proved to be the ideal choice to complement the increasing activity at the reception.

After the speech by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and the presentation of $100,000.00 cheque to Viva Foundation as part of Schroders community involvement project, the guests helped themselves to the sumptuous buffet provided by Chijmes. With the end of the formal ceremonies, we started playing more broadway and pop songs like Memory from the musical "Cats", New York New York and Over the Rainbow, which provided a more relaxing and pleasurable mood. Occasional perky classical pieces like Pizzicato Polka (of which we played the entire piece by plucking our strings, instead of using our bows) by Johann Strauss added on to the joyous celebration.

It felt great to be on stage playing music for the distinguished guests. It was a splendid and meaningful event, with the celebration of Schroders’s successful years in Singapore, and the charity involved with Viva Foundation. A big thank you to the organizers for engaging our services, and kudos to the AV crew for being helpful and patient in setting up the microphones for sound checks and moving of the chairs up and down the stage.

-max

Bingling and Max, posing for the camera before the event

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Fritz Quartet at St. Gregory's Brasserie Courtyard

6 Nov 2006

The Fritz Quartet played for the wedding of Brett and Octavia today at the St. Gregory's Brasserie Courtyard. It was a short and simple ceremony but very lovely. We accompanied the couple as they walked in, with a rendition of Pachebel's Canon in D. You could almost sense a glow emitting from them.

After the solemnisation ceremony, we continued with our set as the guests mingled around at the cocktail reception, taking photographs with the couple under the marquee. The rain was not going to deter our guests from having an enjoyable time, and we made sure of that. We played song after song, gathering momentum as we went, and this was greatly helped by an appreciative audience.

From the feedback we got, we definitely have not disappointed, and that is what we love about playing for events. In an email to me the next day, Brett said

"You guys were awesome! I really appreciate the professionalism you showed and played undaunted in the rain. The comments from all of our guests were that your ensemble kicked ass!

I will certainly be recommending you in the future
."

Thank you, Brett. We are glad that you and your guests enjoyed yourselves as much as we enjoy making music. :)


-Tze Chuan

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