Singing Lesson #5

Our final lesson, and the much awaited end of course concert! I was the third student to arrive and our tutor was getting a little worried that she may only have three performers for the concert. After a little while a fourth, and as it turned out final, student turned up. We were missing four students, I wonder if they were overcome by nerves? completely understandable but a shame all the same.

There were no new tunes tonight and after the usual warm ups it was straight into practising our group pieces. The concert was due to begin at 8pm so at 7.30pm our accompanist arrived to give us all a chance to practise our solo pieces.

I managed to find the sheet music for A Song For Ireland and brought it with me on the night. The accompanist was very good and played it perfectly, unfortunately the version on the sheet music was slightly different to the version I knew and we decided that I would sing without the piano, I'd go A Capella this evening!

Finally the hour arrived and our tiny but enthusiastic audience of 4 burst into the room. It changed the atmosphere completely! I can't speak for my classmates but I became very self conscious and very nervous. After a brief introduction we started with the first group piece, "Amazing Grace". After an initial nervous start and a few misplaced notes it went very well and judging but the applause the audience seemed to enjoy it.

We moved onto another group piece which was a little more relaxed and then the moment arrived for the first solo piece. I was last in the queue and the first 3 students were fantastic, I had a lot to live up to. Without an accompaniment it was difficult to start but luckily I had a one to one with my mate Diki, an excellent singer, a few days earlier and he gave me a few tips to singing a capella. Having found my starting note in my head I was off. The first verse was a little nervous to say the very least, my voice wobbled like jelly on a fat mans belly (I have no idea where that image came from but I'm not telling my psychiatrist). The second and subsequent verses were fine, I had settled down and stepped into my own world for the rest of the song. The audience seemed to enjoy it and then it was time for one last group piece.

Walking out of the class for the last time was both a little sad and exciting. Sad that the course had come to an end but it was very exciting and satisfying having performed in front of an audience. I'm looking forward to the next step!

Tonight's takeaways:

• Project (...open your mouth!!)
• Articulate (...pronounce those words!!)
• Posture (...stand up straight!!)
• Breath (...at the right time)
• Always do your homework