We were at camp and people were asking me whats the difference between an Emu and an Ostrich? Well this is an Emu!! That’s the look people give me when they hear what I do. hahaha

I’ve had this question thrown at me a million times. What do you actually do? Hahaha. It is a hard question to answer. Somehow when I explain what my job is, people think I don’t have much to do. It is puzzling why whenever anything is associated with the arts people cannot quantify it as work. I mean what is so hard to understand? I do work…..I don’t sit around and shake my leg and get paid. Haha.

In my line of work it is just not something people can relate to. Deadlines and schedules and paperwork is something everyone can relate to but what in the world does Leon actually do??! This post is an attempt to justify that I am working very very hard! Hahahahaha

As you can see in the picture above, that is my job title. What does that mean? Well basically my official job title on paper is Music Minister. That is reflected in my work pass as well. So in short yes, I function as a worship pastor basically. But because I have yet to graduate with my Bachelors in Theology that has been a long time in process now….I am not officially a pastor. Which pretty much I’m glad. It sounds so old when I’m called that. So I’m part of the Pastoral Staff team in the church but I’m not an Administrative Staff so I become a Ministry Staff. Understooded?

So from here I will briefly let you know what I do. Ok? Well above was how my desk looks like when I arrived here. Actually I had a smaller one in fact but was given this desk a month after coming in. Here you can see it absolutely empty hehehe. Some people say because I got nothing to do that’s why. Hahaha…..probably. No la. This is how my desk actually looks like now! It took time to work things out but here is what I have. There are loads of wires on my desk now.This is how it looks now!

What do you think? Nice? I like it. I do want some posters up though on the background. I don’t have any. Any suggestions?

To understand my job, you will need to understand my equipment. Here are pictures of them and brief explanations so that you understand the rationale for having them.

Firstly I have a new notebook! Woooohooo. Now in today’s context of course you need a computer!! But what’s wrong with my old desktop as you saw in the picture earlier? Oh well, it is because I need a more powerful computer to support the music software that I will be using to create music! The previous one didn’t meet the requirements needed. So far this is by far the fastest notebook I have ever owned. Wooohoo. Technically it is owned by the church though it is mine to use hahahaha

Next here I have a keyboard for me to do everything from creating music tracks to doing scores. It is the lifeline of everything here as it is basically the only musical instrument haha. Keyboards have now come to a point that they can emulate other instruments so realistically. So I use this keyboard both for the sounds and for it to function as a controller of the music software and other hardware like the ‘rack’ I have.

Above is the TR-Rack I have to add more sounds I have to work with. Problem is, I cannot seem to obtain the Instrument Definitions for Cakewalk Sonar from anywhere. I hope that someone will help me on this soon enough. On top of the ‘rack’ though, I have what we call and audio interface that works like a high quality soundcard to do recordings with the computer. This is the TASCAM US 1641 and it is quite a remarkable piece of equipment for its price. So the keyboard, TR-Rack sounds and computer sounds all go into this interface to be recorded on Sonar.

Oh and I shouldn’t forget to introduce my 22 inch monitor as well!! In the pic you will see my personal monitor that I brought to use here in the office since my new room has not enough space to contain it. It will also give me more visual space to edit all the waves and notes on my computer. I have set it up to dual screen and it has been a pleasure having a nice monitor in front of me. I also decided to use my wireless keyboard and mouse as you can see in the picture. Makes it just so much easier to move around my desk space

So what do I do with these stuff? A lot. I write scores, I make music, I compose music and so on so forth. I am the choir conductor, the arranger for songs, the band manager, worship leader, and function in so many other capacities. Basically I am here to help in the Creative Arts Ministry. But still there are other areas in the CAM that I do not have the gifting to help. These are like dance, drama, visual. There are people working full time in the visual and audio so that is not my job. Phew.

My typical day is to come in, reply all the emails, plan the day, compose, plan on how to teach the choir, prepare for the upcoming practices, go through the lists of songs for the weekend, look for opportunities to train and encourage and improve and the list goes on. Soon it will include studying to finish my degree. Recently my time is just filled writing a new song and coming up with some scores and arrangement for some original songs written by this church. This is enough to blow my mind for now.

Of course I’m doing all this under the guidance of someone who is a person I really thank God for. Someone I can look up to and know will guide me to do the right thing. He is my boss and pastor. I wouldn’t have came here if its not for him. He has set a platform for me to do all these things without too much problems and I’m so grateful. I only hope that I will be able to meet all expectations hahahaa. Also below is the picture of the Senior Pastor of the church. He is standing right beside me in the middle in grey suit. I’m glad they gave me this opportunity to work here. I pray that God will use me.

So in my free lunch time, that’s the only time I can blog as i usually have to stay around until 10pm at night because of practices. That supposed to happen once a week but usually is more than that. Still I’m doing what I love to do. Music! So why should I complain? The only part I dread about the job is that it is all based on relationships and that is my weakest skill. Even so, that is an opportunity to learn and that’s perhaps good enough a reason. hahaha

So what do you think? Sounds easy? Hahaha I think some people would think so. My original job description is so long….too technical to post here. I thought I just give you the basics la of what I do. Don’t you think I have the best job in the world? I certainly think so. Thank God for such a blessing!