One of the challenges I face this year is waiting (I HATE IT. You know I do). As I (gracefully?) age into my mid-to-late-ish-twenties, I get the feeling that something is supposed to happen. I did the schooling, practice my butt off, learn my languages, do the coaching, the auditions, play the field politically, do all the things you're supposed to do to get this career started. And, it's started...a bit. I need to make sure that I simultaneously enjoy what's happening in my singing life and do all I can to make even more and better things happen.
This year, the strategy is to take a step back. Teach, save money, sing gigs locally, and most importantly, have regular lessons and coachings. One crucial element I missed while on tour was vocal training. I was getting plenty of hands-on performing experience, but after 60 or so shows, your technique slips a notch. While my resume was being built, my voice wasn't, and you have to look good on paper AND sound good in person. Since studying and teaching and gigging is a more passive approach to getting to the next step of the career. I remind myself of this daily while I pass up audition opportunities this year in favor of my upcoming wedding (next summer!) and the hope that my voice will be a force to be reckoned with after another 6 months of so. I am doing some auditions and competitions, but am being more particular with who hears me and when. I hope it's a wise choice, and I also remind myself that nobody knows exactly what they're doing in this business, except that they love to sing.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
I'm Back!
Time to get back to this thing.
It's weird. I started this blog to feel more like a working singer, to chart my ups and downs, really examine the "process" and hopefully come away a more insightful musician.
Well, this past month, I've TURNED INTO a working singer. I now have:
-a studio of 20 students, ages 6-adult
-a section leader position at the best church gig in the city (relatively speaking, I"m sure, but getting to do the solos for the entire Bach Christmas Oratorio is a pretty legit job)
-a position in the city's premiere small vocal ensemble (first concert is NEXT WEEK! I'll be soloing for Menotti's "Landscapes and Remembrances." visit www.vaecinci.org for tickets and information)
The flip side of this new work situation is less time for auditions, less shows and roles to list, and less time to pursue any other avenues of life. Planning/having a wedding this summer is also reducing the number of auditions I can do this year. And the result is an overwhelming sense of relief. I definitely work better when I give myself limits and parameters. I'm probably doing about 10 auditions and 4 comps this year.
One competition was last week. Though I didn't win, I made the finals, and gave a very solid performance - one that was probably a little safe because it was TOO solid. However, proving that I can solidly sing an aria that gave me problems 2 years ago has bolstered my confidence and now I know I can sing more difficult repertoire for audition season.
Throughout my education and the years following, the one thing I've lacked is a sense of calm. My comments from judges are often "looks worried," "frantic," "lovely voice but working too hard." Now, as I enter the middle years of the middle stage of this career, I feel as though I"m finally achieving a sense of calm and poise on stage. It's slightly less exciting, maybe, than working 4 random jobs just to make my schedule free enough to fly to different cities every weekend, but the trade-off of having regular lessons and coachings and actually SINGING several hours daily to earn a paycheck is well worth it.
It's weird. I started this blog to feel more like a working singer, to chart my ups and downs, really examine the "process" and hopefully come away a more insightful musician.
Well, this past month, I've TURNED INTO a working singer. I now have:
-a studio of 20 students, ages 6-adult
-a section leader position at the best church gig in the city (relatively speaking, I"m sure, but getting to do the solos for the entire Bach Christmas Oratorio is a pretty legit job)
-a position in the city's premiere small vocal ensemble (first concert is NEXT WEEK! I'll be soloing for Menotti's "Landscapes and Remembrances." visit www.vaecinci.org for tickets and information)
The flip side of this new work situation is less time for auditions, less shows and roles to list, and less time to pursue any other avenues of life. Planning/having a wedding this summer is also reducing the number of auditions I can do this year. And the result is an overwhelming sense of relief. I definitely work better when I give myself limits and parameters. I'm probably doing about 10 auditions and 4 comps this year.
One competition was last week. Though I didn't win, I made the finals, and gave a very solid performance - one that was probably a little safe because it was TOO solid. However, proving that I can solidly sing an aria that gave me problems 2 years ago has bolstered my confidence and now I know I can sing more difficult repertoire for audition season.
Throughout my education and the years following, the one thing I've lacked is a sense of calm. My comments from judges are often "looks worried," "frantic," "lovely voice but working too hard." Now, as I enter the middle years of the middle stage of this career, I feel as though I"m finally achieving a sense of calm and poise on stage. It's slightly less exciting, maybe, than working 4 random jobs just to make my schedule free enough to fly to different cities every weekend, but the trade-off of having regular lessons and coachings and actually SINGING several hours daily to earn a paycheck is well worth it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)