I was watching a masterclass last night, and something she said stuck in my head.
"If you break a violin bow, you can just buy another one. But you can't do that with your voice. You only get one. If you're lucky, you're born with one that's special, as most people here have been, but once it's gone there's nothing you can do about it."
Of course, this should seem obvious, but sometimes we all need a little reminder now and again.
Friday 4 March 2011
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Victory!
Last week was hectic. Asides from my sister coming home and having a pile of homework to complete, I had a fair amount going on musically.
Firstly, the North East Youth Chorale rehearsals. Tuesday - Thursday, 11-5.30 then 3-9.30 on Saturday (which included a concert). I have to admit, I'm not used to such long/intense rehearsals, though I did enjoy them. It left me realising just how my technique and support has improved - I was in sopranos and my voice was fine albeit slightly tired by Thursday night, whereas only a couple of years ago I'd be exhausted by then.
Quite amazingly the men almost doubled the women! I think at the concert there were 9 women and 16 men. Of course, that left me feeling very exposed, especially since I didn't know any of the pieces we were singing and, like most of us, was sight reading. However, we got through it well and the concert was a success.
In addition to this, I was singing at the Ryton Festival on the morning. My singing teacher told me not to expect to win and just to enjoy myself - she recognised the singers from previous festivals and knew how good they were, as well as me being one of the youngest singers in the adult class. So, this helped calm any nerves I had and I got up there and sang "Che faro senza Euridice". My introduction was a bit shaky... I'm far worse at talking to the audience than singing to them! But, the recitative went better than I could have imagined (I still remember how much I was struggling with it even a few weeks ago) and I was commended on my sense of style for this, and the aria went well too, though I had a lack brightness in places that let me down. Needs more ping! The next category was oratorio and I sand "O rest in the Lord". I feel that I got off to a bad start, though no-one seemed to notice, but soon recovered.
So how did I do? I got second in the operatic aria and first in the oratorio! This is great, especially since it's the first time I've done any solo performances since starting with a different teacher last October. I feel like I'm improving in leaps and bounds every day.
I've got another couple of classes in that festival coming up soon (it's split over several days) including the championship (was entered thanks to winning the oratorio) which I'm excited about, but even more I'm excited about what I'll learn next!
Firstly, the North East Youth Chorale rehearsals. Tuesday - Thursday, 11-5.30 then 3-9.30 on Saturday (which included a concert). I have to admit, I'm not used to such long/intense rehearsals, though I did enjoy them. It left me realising just how my technique and support has improved - I was in sopranos and my voice was fine albeit slightly tired by Thursday night, whereas only a couple of years ago I'd be exhausted by then.
Quite amazingly the men almost doubled the women! I think at the concert there were 9 women and 16 men. Of course, that left me feeling very exposed, especially since I didn't know any of the pieces we were singing and, like most of us, was sight reading. However, we got through it well and the concert was a success.
In addition to this, I was singing at the Ryton Festival on the morning. My singing teacher told me not to expect to win and just to enjoy myself - she recognised the singers from previous festivals and knew how good they were, as well as me being one of the youngest singers in the adult class. So, this helped calm any nerves I had and I got up there and sang "Che faro senza Euridice". My introduction was a bit shaky... I'm far worse at talking to the audience than singing to them! But, the recitative went better than I could have imagined (I still remember how much I was struggling with it even a few weeks ago) and I was commended on my sense of style for this, and the aria went well too, though I had a lack brightness in places that let me down. Needs more ping! The next category was oratorio and I sand "O rest in the Lord". I feel that I got off to a bad start, though no-one seemed to notice, but soon recovered.
So how did I do? I got second in the operatic aria and first in the oratorio! This is great, especially since it's the first time I've done any solo performances since starting with a different teacher last October. I feel like I'm improving in leaps and bounds every day.
I've got another couple of classes in that festival coming up soon (it's split over several days) including the championship (was entered thanks to winning the oratorio) which I'm excited about, but even more I'm excited about what I'll learn next!
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