The days have flown by so quickly and I have already learned so much about being a person and being a singer. But even more than that, I am learning what it's like to truly be a musician.
There are 28 people in the choir. 28. That's it. Most of them are graduate students. They have come from everywhere. Illinois, Washington, California, Michigan, Maryland, Florida, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Utah, and New York. They have all come and payed a great deal of money to have THIS experience. To be in THIS choir.
Here is me--little Geneil from Southern Utah University who looks pretty suck-tastic next to all of these hot shots. But I am slowly learning that it's okay that I am not one of the hot shots. I am really learning. I'm not taking this experience for granted. Not one bit.
I have learned:
--Some musicians think they know more than they actually do. Yeah. For real. I am guilty of this, too. I've gotta stop that. It's irritating.
--Be nice all of the time. Not just sometimes. All of the time.
--Don't try to compete with the other singers around you. It's pointless. And nobody wins.
--Be supportive. I don't care if you HATE that tenor that sings out of tune all of the time....be nice to him and support him in what he's trying to do. No one likes a jerk.
--Fugues are HARD.
--Getting enough sleep really does help your singing voice.
--Nobody wants to listen to the complainer.
--You can learn something from everyone. You can be the best musician that there is....and you could learn something from that kid in the back row who started taking voice lessons four months ago.
--You will probably see the people you sing with again. You never know.
--All of the little details matter. Where each "t" goes, how each vowel sounds, taking quiet breaths, phrasing...it all matters.
I have learned so much more than that. But it's already a long post.
More to come, friends.
I love Florida. I love singing. I love music. Gosh, I love this.
That's so cool that you get to do that:) Don't tell, but your voice was always one of my most favorites at school :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so cute, Geneil! I miss you! This is so great that you get to be doing this. By the way...you ARE one of the hot shots, silly! :) Thank you for this post. Really. I have learned a lot just from reading it. I love you and hope you continue to grow and learn on this awesome adventure you are having :)
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