NDP 08 - The Auditions

In Feb, we had our first briefing for NDP 08 at Kallang CC. Kinda nice to see the familiar faces again after 6 mths =D After 2 years of participation, I think I am starting to know more people. In my 1st year, I was mainly hanging around with my YEC friends. In the 2nd year, since I joined alone, I started to know the younger participants better. Now in my 3rd year, I am getting to know the aunties and uncles better =D

Anyway, for those interested, this year's NDP singer is Sun Yanzi again =p hahaha... year in year out, Kit Chan and Stephanie Sun just rotate... Hopefully can see her up close =p

We were suppose to start our rehearsals earlier this month but it was postponed to last week. Meaning we have less than 10 weeks until the combine rehearsals in May. No pyrotechnics this year. Instead, we will be playing drums.

It was auditioning for the first training. Having given only 1hr to learn the dance movements, we had to audition in small groups after that. Stress.. had to memorise them in such a short time, and for non-dancers like me... very difficult.

Sample of the audition moves

This year's music is arranged by Iskandar and it is very upbeat. I think the aunties and uncles have problem moving so quickly =p but I admire their passion and determination. They just kept practising and practising in that short period to memorise the movements... trust me, it is difficult to remember everything after a few demostrations but they did it =D

Everyone passed the audition, I think for those who really have problems coordinating are tasked to carry props instead. Nevermind lah, at least no one is left out in the parade.

When they announce the results, it's like scenes you see from the American Idol =p People just kept  screaming... the young ones lah =p The older aunties and uncles were just relieved that the wait was finally over. Initially, it was pretty grim cos this year, they are only selecting 360 people compared to the 400plus last year. Due to the enlarging of the area in front of the grandstand for F1 racing, more than 1000plus seats were removed. This means that there will be fewer NDP tickets to go around. 

There will also be an increase of NE shows from 2 to 3 and the preview will be just 4 days (used to be 2 weeks in advance) from the actual NDP parade, meaning to say that it leaves very little time to make changes should the preview is not as good as expected. Also, if the preview is cancelled due to weather, there will be no make-up session but goes into the actual parade instead.

getting audition tags... like IPPT

queuing for auditions...

waiting for results... stress...