The E & O Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2009

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 10:54 pm

It’s that time of year once more and yours truly was again at the helm of the piano to accompany the E & O Nightingales singing Christmas carols for the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the hotel lobby. By the way, December here started out not with snow, but with an enormous thunderstorm just before the event started. Here’s one of my pictures.

Here’s my piano and keyboard setup, a Korg PA-50 on top of the piano. I used the Korg most of the time, because the noise levels were extremely high and the piano couldn’t be heard.

General Manager Michael Saxon (my boss) gave his opening speech, and then Miss Mazeta conducted the E & O Nightingales for the singing of the Christmas carols. Yes, the choir was comprised of only ladies this year, but they sang their hearts out and I was very proud to have accompanied them. And word is that they will be doing some occasional caroling in the hotel between now and Christmas.

Up and coming violinist Koay Zhi Tong captivated and impressed the audience with two Christmas carols played on her electric violin. Zhi Tong was also a finalist in this year’s Piano Idol. This young lady’s one to watch!

And finally just when I was finishing my dinner, the E & O Nightingales came by for theirs, so the end result was me (the thorn huh) taking a photo with them. Well done, ladies!

Tags: Christmas Tree, E & O Hotel, Lighting ceremony, piano

The E & O Christmas Tree Lighting Event

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 am

Comments (4)

This takes place annually on December 1st. The lobby at the E & O (Eastern and Oriental) Hotel here has one of the loveliest Christmas trees, ever. And I’ve been backing up the hotel choir for the past five years, so it’s always an event to look forward to. Of course, there are lots of guests (see picture), appetizers and drink flow merrily (to get them in the mood), and the hotel General Manager Mike Saxon gives a short message wishing all those present a Merry Christmas before the lights on the Christmas tree are switched on (hence the Lighting ceremony).

This year, under the able guidance of Mr. Khoo Boo Lin and also a new “teacher,” aka Miss Mazeta, the choir belted out a string of Christmas carols, and had the crowd singing along. Yes, it’s always a noisy and boisterous affair, but that’s where the fun and Christmas spirit begin, right?

Rehearsal began at around 3:15 PM, and we didn’t really get done until 4:30 PM. I was ready to crash, and fortunately had one of the Georgetown suites to do this in, thanks to my friend and boss, Mike. Expect to pay about $184 USD for this suite per night. It’s fully air-conditioned with lovely wooden flooring. Anyways, I reported back to the lobby at 6 PM, set up my keyboard, and played some Christmas carols to get the crowd into the festive mood. An hour later the General Manager Mike Saxon gave his short but eloquent speech, and then the Christmas tree lights were turned on. The hotel choir sang a medley of carols, and the whole ceremony ended around 8 PM.

Hours later, here I am, at my computer. Finished downloading the pictures, typing the text, and here’s the post for all to see. Hope you enjoy reading it. Season’s Greetings to everybody.