The Ukulele Guru
Leading the gathering is Mr Richard Chong, 64, a full-time music instructor and ukulele guru, as his students call him. And it is a fortnightly jamming session by a group of enthusiasts, comprising both men and women, mostly middle-aged or older.
The ukulele has struck a chord with many Singaporeans, thanks to Mr Chong, a self-taught musician, who has gotten schools, churches and organisations to sing - or rather, to play - his tune.
He started teaching the instrument five years ago, while doing missionary work involving orphans from countries such as Cambodia.
There is a community appeal to it. When people get together to play, there is a boy-scout campfire feel to it.
The Good Old Days
The pictures (above) were taken in 1964. My band, THE FALCONS from ACS, performed in the TV "Pop Inn Variety Show" and was the first local band to appear on B&W TV transmission in 10 series. I am in the front centre, kneeling, holding the lead guitar, a Burns. The group disbanded the following year to pursue our tertiary education in England.
THE CRESCENDOS
Click here to view video
Listen to my only Electric Guitar EP backup recording of 'Silver Threads
and Golden Needles' with Singapore's Crescendos in the mid-60's, recorded at Kinetex Studio (Owner, the late Arthur Simmonds on the Burns Guitar) .
|
|
