Chapter 9: New pastures in the music career

Music careers here in the past used to be only instrumental teaching or performing. Never did I realize then that my involvement in other music activities could also contribute greatly to my career and experiences.

Besides being a piano teacher, I was a church pianist and eventually the church choir conductor. These experiences became huge assets for me when I was appointed as the State Choral Conductor for our State choir and orchestra. I was involved in writing tunes for certain special occasions, and doing musical arrangements for musicians and singers. The experience also involved the inclusion of various folk-tunes from ethnic groups from Sarawak to ensure a multicultural variety. As secretary and later Music Director of the Sarawak Music Society, I learnt organizational skills. I also helped my former school in whatever way I could with their band and choir. All these experiences and skills were instrumental when I later set up my school and was invited to take up new roles besides teaching. I found that experiences in all the various fields I had assisted in were instrumental in providing me the abilities and confidence to undertake new and challenging tasks in the music field.

It was then that I realized, everything I put in to help the community and anyone in need, was returned to me many times over. God, the giver of gifts, especially musical gifts, tells me that if I am generous with all my gifts and use it to share with the world, then He, in return, will give me much more, and prosper me beyond my understanding, and indeed He did! My career from a simple piano teacher flourished to one beyond my imagination!

Dr. Geraldine Law-Lee, Tue 06/05/2008