Combined Rehearsal 2

Every year, the Parade segment is helmed by the Parade Commander and Parade Sergeant-Major, but ever wonder who helms the Show segment? In the 2nd Combined Rehearsal at the Float@Marina, we take the opportunity to showcase the people who work tirelessly in the background with our performers to bring NDP to perfection – our choreographers!

One of them is Mr Low Ee Chiang from the People's Association Dance Inspiration, who is the choreographer of the dance display by Bedok North Primary School. Being the 6th year that he has participated in NDP, he shares with us his thoughts behind this year's dance. In contrast with his previous works which incorporated louder, fast-paced movements, he and his team of instructors have gone instead with a different artistic direction, putting together a sentimental and emotional piece that is inspired by the theme of “heartland”, a place where our heart belongs.

Experience does make a person a whole lot wiser. After numerous years of choreographing for NDP, when we asked him what were the challenges he faced, all he had for us were merely 3 words – sun, rain, stage! He explains, “The weather is always a challenge, because not only does it determine how smooth the rehearsals go, it plays a large part in the students' emotions. If the weather is hot, students get agitated easily, but if it rains, then rehearsals will have to be postponed.” In response to his final point about the stage, he said that yearly changes in stage dimensions are determining factors in the choreography and the size of the display. With this year's new and revolutionary design of the NDP stage, he promises a dance that will capitalise on the unique stage design to bring out the best to the spectators.

Tonight's rehearsal was not a performers-only affair as 50 members of the NDP website and 50 Facebook fans of NDPeeps were invited for an exclusive preview! Even though the Combined Rehearsal was not full-dress, many were nonetheless glad and excited at the opportunity for an exclusive inside look at the parade. For Alvin Chong and his family, NDP means an opportunity for Singaporeans to come together to celebrate the nation's birthday. Having been a lucky winner on NDPeeps, he is impressed by the use of various new media platforms this year to engage the public in the parade's happenings.

As the repertoire of National Day songs ended tonight's rehearsal, we caught with up with Yee Pei, who is one of our spectators. She excitedly remarked, “With the stage closer to the audience seats this year, the parade is definitely a lot more interactive!” She believes that this year's parade will resound much more with the younger generation, especially with the new and refreshing arrangement of many staple National Day songs.

In light of the H1N1 situation in Singapore, the NDP 09 committee has also implemented various preventive measures at the Float @ Marina and the F1 Pit Building to ensure the hygiene and health of all participants and spectators, such as situating thermal scanners at all entry points. Being a professional health care worker, Lynn, who is also a spectator at today's rehearsal, feels that the measures taken at the Floating Platform were sufficient.

Stay tuned with us as we bring you more exciting news from the Float @ Marina.

Here are some pictures taken at today's Combined Rehearsal 2.