‘What a difference a day makes / Twenty-four little hours’ is a line in the popular song ‘Cuando vuelva a tu lado’ (When I Return to Your Side), which was originally written in Spanish in 1934 but later rose in popularity when Dinah Washington released an English version. But perhaps it is now more apt to say "What a Difference a Year makes!”

A year ago in July 2019, the NUS Bukit Timah Homecoming garden party was held at the Bukit Timah campus. Then, NUS Alumni Sing-Along (ASA) members belted out songs sung from the 1940s to 2019. What a party that was!

However, this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, an eHomecoming event was held and ASA was invited to contribute an eHomecoming sing-along video. With absolutely zero experience, some members happily volunteered but not all persevered to complete their individual videos. The NUSS band, Silver Jam, faithfully partnered them in producing the accompaniment. Having band members play their respective instrumental parts separately and putting everything together was a daunting task. But the group did it and did their best!

Resuming monthly sing-along sessions on Zoom was also challenging as unlike webinars, ASA sessions are very interactive. The first session kicked off in July with a first-ever talk on ‘An Introduction to Choral Training’ by homegrown and internationally-trained soprano and vocal trainer, Ms Felicia Teo. The second half of the session saw some of the ASA members leading the group to sing popular songs. Even though singing karaoke live over zoom was not ideal because of sound latency, members were not deterred.

Each year, ASA also celebrates Singapore’s National Day in August with a huge spread of delectable local food and boisterous singing, ukulele playing and line dancing. This year, although the food had to go, the singing and fun continued.

The second session of ‘An Introduction to Choral Training’ was held in August and saw members engaged in a breath control activity. Following the talk, members sang popular NDP songs like ‘We are Singapore’ and ‘Singapura’, led by fellow ASA members.

In addition, the ASA ukelele players are now jamming twice a month - after completing almost two months of finger-style training sessions!

Unlike previous years, ASA is unable to entertain and treat the elderly folks on the forthcoming NUS Day of Service on 5 September. Instead, the group will be delivering gifts to the 340 elderly residents of Ling Kwang Home. Hopefully, the gifts will make their day.

More exciting sessions and events are in the pipeline for the next few months. So do join the ASA for their sing-along sessions held on every second Monday of the month, and jam with them on the first and third Mondays of each month. You may even wish to lead a song or two!

Stay happy and healthy by ‘singing’... privately at home and on Zoom, of course!

Submitted by Ms Joanna Loo (Science '91)