Music is so much more beautiful when it is given and appreciated by an opened heart.

新年... 回顧... 一切都是恩典。為我所擁有的，沒有的；容易的，艱難的；知道的，不知道的；看見的，看不見的；思念的，忘記的；開心的，悲傷的；期待的，已經放下的... 都感恩 -- 因為這一切都豐富了我的人生和音樂！除了感恩，還是感恩！願你新年蒙恩！

It's Chinese New Year... Looking back, it's been full of grace! For what I have and what I don't, what have been easy and what have been challenging, what I know and what I don't, what I could see and what I couldn't, what I miss and what I have forgotten, happiness and sadness, what are hopeful and what I have been able to let go... I am thankful for them all, for they have enriched my life and my music! There's truly nothing but thanksgiving! May you have a blessed Chinese New Year!

Music, in itself, is beautiful; but how much more magnificent and meaningful it is when we can share that with others! I cannot imagine living a life full of music but only with myself... music is still beautiful, but I would have missed out so much...

On my birthday, I am extremely grateful for my parents, bearers of the wonderful gift of my life, who love me, raise me, and provide for me selflessly over the years. I am thankful for mentors and teachers who have guided, motivated, stimulated, and inspired me during the most important years of my growth. I am grateful for the many friends and colleagues whom I have crossed paths with, and some make tremendous marks in my life which I will always remember for the rest of my life. Last and most importantly, I give my utmost thanks to God, the creator, giver, and the sustainer of life, because it wasn’t my choice to be born, but my life was given to me as a precious gift from the start. Oh, and every breath I breathe daily ever since… and music.

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This is probably one of the best birthdays I ever had... because it was filled with love, joy and music... I am so grateful for people that I love and people who love me, life would have been so much less meaningful without you all. Thank you for making my birthday and my life so special.

Love is among us. Knowing the source and the motivation of love, understanding how to love and to be loved, learning how to express and accept true love. Love without regrets, love blamelessly, love willingly, and love splendidly. In love, there are no boundaries, no genders, no ages, no races, no categories nor classes. True love is rare: selfless, initiative, sincere, sacrificial, unchangeable, and eternal, therefore never let true love passes you by. Love is precious because it is not easy. Love is among us.

I am so glad that music is not a job, hobby, or career to me, but it is my life. If it wasn't so, I would have given up long time ago because of tiredness, difficulties, disapproval, disappointment, discouragement, distraction, and... loneliness. Great music, however, exceeds all of the above. Oh, the precious opportunities I have been given to explore, to study, to make, and to share music... may I always be thankful.

i have family and friends who love and support me; i have jobs that sustains my living while I do what I am passionate about; i have students who motivate and challenge me; i have mentors who are extremely encouraging, and colleagues around the world who walk by my side; i have opportunities to learn, to grow, to experiment, and most importantly the privilege to share, and to love; i have assurance and hope in my God, who had given me the reason for what I do. What else could i ask for? i am incredibly grateful, thank you all.

To love is not easy, but love anyway; if it is too easy then it might not be love. Love kindly, love patiently, love generously, love genuinely. Love with hope, love with trust, love with respect, and love not for our own sake.

This is a short note that sums up what I have learned and done as a conductor in the past few years. Many people only see the 1-2 hour program where conductors wave their arms in front of a group. If you are one of those who think that a conductor’s job is merely arms-waving, think again…

A conductor…

1.      Plans the entire concert program with considerations on:   
         ·         number of musicians
         ·         ability of musicians
         ·         level of the audience
         ·         theme of the concert
         ·         budget
         ·         possible dates
2.      Needs to know the music thoroughly before all the other performers do. In order to do this, one has to:
         ·         compare various editions and select the best and most accessible one;
         ·         study the work and its composer, and understand the background, history, and performance practice;
         ·         learn every vocal and instrumental lines;
         ·         practice how to communicate with proper gestures and body language.
3.      Makes artistic decisions such as appropriate tempi, dynamics, bowings…etc., and mark them into the
         conductor's score as well as each orchestra part score;
4.      Writes letters to prospective donors asking for support;
5.      Co-ordinates rehearsal schedules that fit all the performers;
6.      Comes up with effective rehearsal planning, so that no one’s time is being wasted;
7.      Writes program notes, and provides translations if it is a choral work in foreign language;
8.      Needs to know how to understand and deal with the physiological side of the musicians so that everyone can
         get along and be productive. Sometimes the conductor has to resolve conflicts among musicians during a
         rehearsal and make sure everyone is happy;
9.      Listens and evaluates constantly;
10.    Responses to multitude of emails and calls;
11.    Listens and selects advises that help;
12.    Coach singers and instrumentalists;
13.    Writes thank-you notes.

Sometimes, a conductor also:
1.      Promotes their concerts: design poster; persuades people to attend the concert…etc.
2.      Secures a concert venue by contacting the person in charge and works out all the logistics;
3.      Hires and works with the audio/video recording artist;
4.      Plans the stage setting, and make sure that there are enough chairs, music stands, risers, and any other
         equipments that are required for the concert;
5.      Plans the reception;
6.      Cleans up before and after rehearsals and concerts;
7.      Prepares the entire concert program: gather information, typing, proof-reading, editing, and printing;
8.      Arranges transportation for musicians;
9.      Transcribes and transposes music for appropriate instruments;
10.    Gives counseling to their fellow musicians;
11.    Deals with attendance issues;
12.    Attends meetings;
13.    Meet with patrons and donors;
14.    Does what that are not listed under their job description.
15.    Deals with conflicts and attitudes in the rehearsals.

In order to accomplish all the above, conductors should:
1.      Have a vision.
2.      Be humble and ambitious at the same time.
3.      Be passionate about what they do, and inspire those who they work with to be the same.
4.      Be very organized, always plan ahead, and pay attention to details.  
5.      Be loving, and to demonstrate that love frequently.
6.      Always be on time: to be on time is to be early.
7.      Always emphasize team work, even though they may have contributed the most.
8.      Stick to their plan no matter how hard it may be. Always remember their first love with the music and calling,
         never give up.
9.      Develop mutual trust among their team.
10.    Never burn their bridges.
11.    Be articulate while listen more and talk less.
12.    Be generous in every way, and always go above and beyond.

- David Chin, April 16, 2013, 1:00am