Sorta BS: Must share audition story

Subject: Sorta BS: Must share vocal audition story
From: NicoleC
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:51 AM

Remember me? The one who is terrified of playing in public, won't go to jam sessions, and got so physically ill before piano recitals at a kid I could never play in one? I accidentally auditioned for a choir today!

I decided to take a beginner's voice class at the local college for the heck of it. As I sat there and looked around, there were like 50 people in this class that only meets 2 hours once a week. Granted some were going to drop out -- but I could do the math on personal attention. Meanwhile, she's going on and on about how many solos we have to do, and they're going to videotape us and *watch* the tapes in class, and so forth. I'm getting more and more nervous, thinking all that I'm going to do is get up there and make a fool of myself a bunch of times without ever getting any coaching to get better!

So after class I told her I was going to drop the class. She'd already asked who read music or could play an instrument (yes to both), so she asked how my pitch was, and I could honestly say it was good, but no guarentees about whether it would come out of my mouth that way. She suggested I audition for the college choir. Right then. In front of a bunch of people standing around packing up their stuff. Row Row Row Your Boat.

Whaddaya know, I'm a first alto in a choir now!

And as the adrenaline is wearing I'm beginning to realize... these folks give public performances... and charge money... yikes!

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: Miken
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:57 AM

Congratulations Nicole! That first step is a doozy, but I'll bet you're gonna have fun! Dive in and enjoy !

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: JennyO
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 03:27 AM

I'm in a choir (The Solidarity Choir), and have been for the last 5 years. We perform at some pretty impressive places sometimes, and get paid (sometimes).

I think this is the best possible way to get used to performing if you are a bit nervous, and the rewards are great!

You'll be saying the same thing yourself, soon, so have fun. Congratulations.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: open mike
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 03:39 AM

go for it Nicole!
i was just discussing today the quote i saw of
who? nelson mandela? that speaks about our fears..
says something like we are not afraid of failure
as much as we are afraid of success!
Just know that if you passed the audition,
you have it in you to successfully become
a member of that choir, and to enjoy what ever
may come of it!! congrats! take a deep breath!
and sing out! Laurel

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 04:00 AM

Wow, very kewl! Good for you and enjoy!!

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: nickp
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 04:15 AM

Great!

And the thing to remember is that there's so, so many people out in that audience who think 'oh I'd NEVER EVER be brave enough to get up there and perform...'

puts worrying about it in perspective. Get out there and enjoy being in front of them!

Subject: MUSIC: Must share audition story
From: GUEST, Ernest C.
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 05:55 AM

Sorry Charlie. Nicole that is.   Not BS.   No, not even close to BS. Congratulations. Thanks for sharing and do keep us posted on your progess.

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 06:07 AM

Woderful, Nicole! And what a way to beat the performance jitters- raising your voice with others together!! You'll learn confidence and joyful singing as you hear the support of other voices, and with your musical background I won't be surprised if you find others relying on you as well!

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: Cllr
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 06:20 AM

I started singing in Choirs before I "graduated"8-) to singing folk songs, enjoy,enjoy lots. Cllr
PS I agree with Ernest Definatly not BS

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: Amos
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 11:37 AM

Ah, Nicole....ye must borrow a piece of wisdom from Tom Balboadill's Strawberry:

"We have nothing to make a fraise of but being, oneself, a fraise".

This simple thought has stood me in good stead ever since I learned it, and I hope ti serves you well.

Congratulations, and way to go!! No fears, mate -- you'll do splendidly!!

A

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: NicoleC
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:49 PM

Thanks, guys!

I really surprised myself -- first by agreeing to audition and then by doing okay ni both soprano and alto. I was going to take the voice class to find "my" voice (unlike the one you mimic while singing along to the radio, or the little tiny one while doing chores around the house). But then it just popped out all by itself under pressure -- I've never heard my voice sound like that. Not even close.

But you know, I think the best part might be that I get to kick back and watch everyone ELSE audition next week!

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: Don Firth
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:15 PM

Congratulations, Nicole! A major step.

I had been singing at parties and such along with other people, for a couple of years. Then I got asked to sing for a group, and I agreed, assuming it was maybe a dozen people. I turned out to be about two-hundred and fifty! Petrified, but unable to escape at this point, I launched into my first song. My hands were shaking so bad that I really slopped up my guitar accompaniment. But nobody noticed! Applause at the end of the song! Three songs later, it sank in that they liked what I was doing and they really weren't goin to lynch me! Confidence is sort of cumulative. The more you do, the easier it gets. I was never that scared again, thank God. I get keyed-up before a performance, but that kind of debilitating nervousness is gone.

Nuthin' succeeds like success.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Sorta BS: Must share audition story
From: GUEST,Calico
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 04:08 AM

Good on ya, Nicole! Yep. The first time is always the hardest.

Calico