Singing with the Big Kids

April 5, 2017: BEFORE

    I absolutely love my school, I really do. I adore my colleagues and my teachers too. Recently the undergraduate vocal majors have been preparing for our Cantata Singers spring concert. I have never seen music more challenging in my life! our program is so hard, it's not technically hard, but it is musically difficult. Our concert is in a few days and the composer of the second half of the program is going to be there. He is also going to be at our rehearsal tomorrow.

    This  music is so hard because you have to be constantly thinking, and your brain never gets a break. However, once everything comes together it is so rewarding, and I love getting the opportunity to be a part of these moments.

Dr. Z and me before the concert

    The reason I called this post “Singing with the Big Kids,” is because in the second half of the program I have a solo! It's small but its mine and its beautiful! But can I just tell you how nervous I was the first time I sang it in the hall where we are having our concert; my hands were so shaky. Singing for my peers is probably the most nerve wrecking things I have to do, I get so nervous because of how highly I think of them, and I just want to make them proud. They have been so kind and so encouraging to me and I hope they know how much that helps me and how much that actually means tome.I absolutely love my school, I really do. I adore my colleagues and my teachers too.

April 8, 2017: The Performance: (well at least my solo :)

April 10, 2017: AFTER

    So it has been 2 days after the concert and It went very well! The entire thing came together and it was magic! I made a poor life decision and decided to go for looks rather than comfort and wore heels. Well after the concert I could barely move my feet to walk! But eventually I recovered. One of my very good friends, Blake did my hair and make up and made me look performance ready! (I am so grateful for her for so many reasons!)

    Before the concert, in the break room, Dr. Z gave us all a pep talk, and then invited Charles Fussell, the composer of the second half of the program, to speak with us for just a little bit. That was awesome and just made me want to sing his music even better!

Charles Fussell and me after the concert

     There were some solos in the first half and they all did so good! I know they all worked so hard and it totally paid off! After short intermission we Headed back upstairs for the second half. I think the second half felt like it took 2,000 years because my feet were not thrilled with me and I was waiting to sing my solo. it was easier to enjoy the music at the beginning of the second half because I was really close to the end. when it was finally my turn I stepped down and walked out to the front, it took all of my strength not to look like a Weeble Wobble, oh my poor feet! I took my breath and looked at Dr. Z, and sang. I almost forgot the word, but I had my score so I looked down and the crisis was averted. I wasn’t shaky or nervous before or during my performance but afterwards my poor hands just wouldn’t stop shaking. After the concert I saw my voice teacher and if we are being honest his reaction was the one I was most worried about. But he gave a hug and said I did good! Everyone afterward was so kind and so sweet and even on my Facebook video I am just shocked with the reaction I’ve gotten, and I am just so grateful!

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