257th Reflection💬

“If you trust the Lord’s protection, what will you do❓”

Step out of your comfort zone.

……

23/04/2022 (Thu) 16:00 Hong Kong International Institute of Music

Applied Music Class

Coordinator said, “One of your seniors has been admitted into HKAPA.”

I said, “Wonderful, Marvellous!”

Coordinator said, “Indeed. He’s studying a master degree in music.”

I said, “Which major?”

Coordinator said, “Performance.”

I said, “Which instrument?”

Coordinator said, “Trombone.”

I said, “It’s really hard to get into the Performance Major.”

Coordinator said, “Yes. You’re applying for HKAPA next year. You may get some help from her.”

I said, “Yes.”

……

23/04/2022 (Thu) 22:50 WhatsApp

I said, “Hi, I’m Wai Hung, a piano student of the academic coordinator. I heard from her during my Applied Music class this afternoon that you have been admitted to Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts (HKAPA).”

Classmate said, “Thank you.”

I said, “Actually, I’m going to apply for BMus in Composition and Electronic Music in the next academic year. I’ve some questions about it. May I ask you?”

Classmate said, “Sure.”

I said, “I found on the net that the application deadline for BMus in Composition and Electronic Music is early March. Is it the same every year?”

Classmate said, “Not really, this is an extended deadline. Generally speaking, the application is open in October and closed in early December. Check it out on the net.”

I said, “OK. By the way, I’m a little worried about the Aural Paper. Any special tips for preparation?”

Classmate said, “The paper of MMus and BMus are different. I can’t really help. I think you’d better seek advice from IIM teachers.”

I said, “OK. When were your 1st and 2nd interviews?”

Classmate said, “The 1st audition of MMus was in January and the second in April. BMus’ was a little earlier, as far as I know.”

I said, “OK. How long has you been waiting until you got the offer after the 2nd audition?”

Classmate said, “I attended the 2nd audition on April 21st. I got the offer on June 18th. It’s around 2 months.”

I said, “Get it. Thank you. I’m going for the composition recital next year. If you have time, I hope that you can help to play it.”

Classmate said, “Sure.”

I said, “Thank you.”

Classmate said, “I hope that I’m of help.”

……

Another me said, “Die, die, die.”

I said, “Die, die, die. I can hardly stay alive after hearing you ‘dies’.”

Another me said, “Die. 3 months has somehow crept from you.”

I said, “You’ve gone mad? The Lord’s never told me to leave the world 3 months earlier!”

Another me said, “The application deadline for HKAPA turns 3 months earlier than expected. March was an extended deadline. In general, December is the deadline. Die?”

I said, “So make the application earlier, never say die?”

Another me said, “You get to hand in 4 compositions together with your applications.”

I said, “Wow, oh my…How can I complete them by December if I start in October?”

Another me said, “Die! See? Let’s ask the school if you can start the Composition Project 3 months earlier. You start in July. One piece each month, have everything completed by November, still 1 month left for mixing. And you can submit your application by December.”

I said, “Great idea. Let me ask the school.”

Another me said, “Hold on. What if the school doesn’t approve?”

I said, “The Composition Project in the 2nd year is conducted in the form of private tutorials. With no interference with other classmates at all, this should be ok.”

Another me said, “Who can tell? This causes no troubles to classmates but quite a lot to your supervisor. The rule writes it is October. Why should the school approve of your request? Who do yin think you are?”

I said, “You’re right. Let me pray. Hey, I get a way.”

Another me said, “So fast! What is that?”

I said, “In case of rejection, I’ll ask for tutorials from a school teacher.”

Another me said, “No.”

I said, “No? The teacher has said nothing yet. How come?”

Another me said, “No, this costs quite another amount. Where does the money come from?”

I said, “The Lord. He called back the remuneration for my course development service that I provided 3 years ago.”

Another me said, “You’ve spent the money on LMusTCL already.”

I said, “No, just half of it.”

Another me said, “Hey! You’d keep the other half for your needs some day later.”

I said, “This is what I need today.”

Another me said, “The money should not be spent such a way.”

I said, “The payment has been held for 3 years. Why did the Lord call it back not any earlier or later but exactly at this particular moment when I had decided to apply for HKAPA? Obviously, He’s sponsoring my further studies on music.”

Another me said, “Alright, I just take it as His sponsorship on your further music studies. Yet, it doesn’t mean that you should spend all of it in a second. Spend half of it and save the other half for future use. Isn’t it a better alternative?”

I said, “What He is showing me now is a need to spend the whole amount he called back entirely on music, half on LMusTCL and the other half on the 4 compositions required for the the application for HKAPA.”

Another me said, “If you spend it altogether here, later when you study full time, the financial risk is much higher.”

I said, “Why do you need to be so safe?”

Another me said, “The more money in our pocket, the safer we are. Risk, the lower the better!”

I said, “Why can you take just a little risk? Don’t you believe that the Lord always walks with you and you are safe enough?”

I submitted my application to Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts on 07 December 2022 (Wed).