You did WHAT?
Living in the shadow of a really good singer can be a pain. As I grew up, it became evident that my brother was the one with the vocal talent and I was more of a character actor. This caused a problem for me, however...
I LOVE musical theater.
So, once he moved away, I started cultivating my inner-singer and I've been making some headway. My family no longer outwardly cringes when I belt out a tune, and I think Mark just gets irritated by the volume of my spontaneous singing (If the characters in a broadway show can go from carrying on a normal conversation and instantly flip the switch for a song and dance, why can't I?). But I had one last hurdle to overcome: singing solo in public.
In an earlier entry, I spoke about this workshop and upcoming audition workshop and play that I wanted to go out for and my mother's less-than-enthusiastic response. Hers wasn't the only one, I'm sad to say. My friend-the-music-teacher kind of balked at me and, in no uncertain terms, said that there was no way I had any hope of pulling off the singing for the role I wanted.
Fortunately for me, I had yesterday's workshop to see if what everyone seemed to be thinking was true: do I really sing THAT badly? I nearly chickened out when hordes of TEENAGERS (ack!) and no other adults filed in, but I sucked it up. I went in and spent the morning reviewing audition protocol. They then taught us a dance that we mock-auditioned with for feedback.
Except for my problems with left and right directions (I was forever turning the wrong way), I pulled that off okay.
Then came the singing audition. We learned a relatively easy song that I rehearsed pretty well. I sat through 20 other people doing their auditions. Some made me nervous, some made me absolutely terrified, and a few left me feeling rather relaxed (at least my voice wasn't in the midst of changing-ala-Peter-Brady like this one kid).
They called my name.
Heart racing, I took my place and did my introduction. The opening notes were played by the accompanist, I took a deep breath, and I started to sing. I have NO idea why, but I sang the ENTIRE piece an octave higher than I would normally have. Still, I stuck with it. But, when I got done, I quickly explained this to the panel and they were shocked that that wasn't my normal voice. I asked to do it again and requested the singing director to start it with me an octave lower, but I still couldn't get it to drop. I guess it as just nerves.
So, I finished my second attempt. And I instantly jumped in on them with a rapid Lyra-like rant about being VERY nervous given that this was my first time singing in front of people on my own.
"What? You're NOT serious?"
Yes... yes I am.
"Oh. My. God. Please tell me that you're planning on coming to auditions on Monday."
BWAH!?!?
A follow-up email came yesterday from him. Please come to the auditions.
Double BWAH!?!
Family and friends, be forewarned. I'm GOING to audition for that show.
I LOVE musical theater.
So, once he moved away, I started cultivating my inner-singer and I've been making some headway. My family no longer outwardly cringes when I belt out a tune, and I think Mark just gets irritated by the volume of my spontaneous singing (If the characters in a broadway show can go from carrying on a normal conversation and instantly flip the switch for a song and dance, why can't I?). But I had one last hurdle to overcome: singing solo in public.
In an earlier entry, I spoke about this workshop and upcoming audition workshop and play that I wanted to go out for and my mother's less-than-enthusiastic response. Hers wasn't the only one, I'm sad to say. My friend-the-music-teacher kind of balked at me and, in no uncertain terms, said that there was no way I had any hope of pulling off the singing for the role I wanted.
Fortunately for me, I had yesterday's workshop to see if what everyone seemed to be thinking was true: do I really sing THAT badly? I nearly chickened out when hordes of TEENAGERS (ack!) and no other adults filed in, but I sucked it up. I went in and spent the morning reviewing audition protocol. They then taught us a dance that we mock-auditioned with for feedback.
Except for my problems with left and right directions (I was forever turning the wrong way), I pulled that off okay.
Then came the singing audition. We learned a relatively easy song that I rehearsed pretty well. I sat through 20 other people doing their auditions. Some made me nervous, some made me absolutely terrified, and a few left me feeling rather relaxed (at least my voice wasn't in the midst of changing-ala-Peter-Brady like this one kid).
They called my name.
Heart racing, I took my place and did my introduction. The opening notes were played by the accompanist, I took a deep breath, and I started to sing. I have NO idea why, but I sang the ENTIRE piece an octave higher than I would normally have. Still, I stuck with it. But, when I got done, I quickly explained this to the panel and they were shocked that that wasn't my normal voice. I asked to do it again and requested the singing director to start it with me an octave lower, but I still couldn't get it to drop. I guess it as just nerves.
So, I finished my second attempt. And I instantly jumped in on them with a rapid Lyra-like rant about being VERY nervous given that this was my first time singing in front of people on my own.
"What? You're NOT serious?"
Yes... yes I am.
"Oh. My. God. Please tell me that you're planning on coming to auditions on Monday."
BWAH!?!?
A follow-up email came yesterday from him. Please come to the auditions.
Double BWAH!?!
Family and friends, be forewarned. I'm GOING to audition for that show.