Synchronise Your Steps - Now!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
"Garden in the City" is the only mass display item at the Asian Youth Games opening ceremony performed by primary school pupils.
Think of ten-year-olds and you'll probably think of a rambunctious and talkative gaggle. Think of those same ten-year-olds executing a synchronised mass display with colourful costumes and eye-catching props at the opening ceremony of the Asian Youth Games - and you might be forgiven for looking a little sceptical.
But 400 pupils from Edgefield Primary School, Gongshang Primary School, Nan Hua Primary School and River Valley Primary School are putting their best foot forward to show that they can do it. The only primary school pupils participating in the opening ceremony, they have been working hard during intensive rehearsals for the last few months.
The group is led and trained by veteran dancer and choreographer Ms Sylvia Anne McCully and a team from her dance school. Many pupils don't have dance training, so learning the sequences has been a novel experience, not to mention an imaginative one. To help them remember the dance movements, the team has used nicknames such as "a big watermelon", "give me money", "sweep rubbish" or "ask for chicken wings".
"My favourite part is 'rowing a boat'," declares Pri 3 pupil Mohanapprabu s/o Elavarasu from Edgefield Primary School, referring to a step that is taken from joget. "I practise the whole dance at home everyday for two hours."
Edgefield Primary School pupil Mohanapprabu s/o Elavarasu practises his dance steps everyday for 2 hours.
Pulling it together
The mass display item is entitled "Garden in the City" and pupils will be dancing with a circular prop decorated with bells, colourful streamers and orchid patterns that represent Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. Preparation kicked off in March, when pupils from each school first learned and practised their movements with their schoolmates. They then progressed to combined rehearsals with all four schools during the June school holidays.
Besides coordinating the dance steps and display formations, pupils are also busy memorising lyrics and practising their singing. The mass display item is set to a medley of four songs from Singapore's different cultures, and pupils will have to smile, sing and keep moving in step - all at the same time.
It's a lot to keep in their heads, so it's a good thing these pupils seem to have boundless energy. Mohanapprabu says, "Sure, we're tired after rehearsals. But when we enjoy the moves and dance together with our friends, we don't feel tired anymore."
Pupils from four primary schools have to coordinate their steps for the mass display.
Pri 4 pupil Shaun Ng from Nan Hua Primary School adds, "It's not difficult, after a while. We have to keep moving a lot and the dance steps feel quite sporty."
Cheering them on
Helping the pupils keep their focus - and their rhythm - are the teachers from each school who accompany them on rehearsals and coach them when they forget their steps. Mrs Sandy Tay, Head of Department for CCA and PE at Nan Hua Primary School, has twice participated in the National Day Parade, but her charges now are much younger than the average parade performer. "Their attention span is shorter and they need more practice. But we also strike a healthy balance between their rehearsals and their schoolwork."
Ms Rachel Tham, a performing arts teacher at Edgefield Primary School, emphasises the importance of giving pep talks to the pupils. "We try to get them excited about the opening ceremony, when people from all over Asia will be watching them."
Parent-volunteers have also lent a hand, helping to supervise the pupil performers at rehearsals. Ms Tham observes, "Some pupils ask their parents to help out because they feel proud to have their parents present, watching them dance."
Ms Rachel Tham from Edgefield Primary School is one of the teachers helping to keep the pupils in costume - and in the right spirit - for their big day.
As the date of the opening ceremony (29 June 2009) draws nearer, how do the pupils feel? "Excited," Shaun says, "because after so many months of hard work, we can finally show what we've done."
Mohanapprabu is a little more apprehensive, particularly about appearing on live TV. "What if any mistakes happen?" But he promptly answers his own question: "So practise lah!"
Watch the live webcast of the opening ceremony of the Asian Youth Games, from 7.30 p.m. on 29 June 2009 at the Asian Youth games official website.