What to expect at a vocal recital

With my recital coming up in one week, some of you have asked me what to expect when coming to a vocal recital. I thought it might be good to discuss some basic aspects of what goes on at a vocal recital and answer some Frequently Asked Questions.

• Many people ask, what should I wear?  The answer is - whatever you like.  Some people will dress up and others will be in jeans.  There is no required attire - so just come!!!

• People often get confused as to wear to clap and where not to clap.  Let me help by stating that audiences should never clap in the middle of a "set" of music, but rather, wait until the entire set is complete and then applaud.  One example from my program is the Mignon Lieder by Hugo Wolf.  There are four pieces in this set and they are performed straight through without clapping or stopping.

• Another question people ask is what are you singing about?  It's true that much of the vocal repertoire is written in languages such as Italian, French and German.  However, there are two solutions:  1) I have posted the translations to all my pieces on my blog for you to read and 2) There will be "supertitles" shown at during the recital.  These are essentially the English translations to all the pieces.

• People ask how long is the recital?  I am singing 50 minutes of music + there is a intermission so the entire recital should last 75-90 minutes.
  

If you think of other questions - let me know and I will try to answer them!

See you Sunday!

HE IS RISEN!!!

HE IS RISEN!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year - Resurrection Sunday!  The reason I love this day is because I remember the time in my life when I was alone and on my own - and rotting in my own sin.  I was, as they say, in the pit.  But then I learned that I could get out, have a new beginning and know the most wonderful, perfect, kind, thoughtful, caring being in the Universe:  God!  Jesus Christ made a way for me when there seemed to be no way.  He paid my debt and took my place that I might be right with God.  I am so grateful because I was lost and blind - DEAD.  But now I am found and can see and am ALIVE - because HE LIVES!  

My favorite Easter song of all time is "They Could Not," by Ron Harris and Claire Cloninger & sung by Sandi Patti.  This song tells the triumphant story of Jesus' victory over sin and death!

"They looked at Him and saw a single man

A carpenter with healing in His hands

They saw Him calm a sea and heal a dying man

They saw but could they really understand

They could not, They could not

Though they tried, they could not

He was just a simple carpenter but with healing in His hands

But could they really understand, they could not

They listened to the teaching that they heard

They wondered at the mystery of His word

They wondered what He meant, about a Father's plan

They heard but could they really understand

They could not, They could not

Though they tried, they could not

They listened to the teaching about a Father's plan

But could they really understand, they could not

So finally upon a rugged cross

They killed the man who would not suffer loss

And when at last they took what willingly He gave

He died, but could they keep Him in the grave

They could not, They could not

Praise God, they could not

And when at last they took from Him what willingly He gave

Could they keep Him in the grave, could they keep Him in the grave,

Could they keep Him in the grave...

They could not, They could not

Praise God, they could not

And when at last they took from Him what willingly He gave

Could they keep Him in the grave, could they keep Him in the grave,

Could they keep Him in the grave, They could not!!!!"

Solo Voice Recital Repertoire

Solo Voice Recital Repertoire

"Und ob die Wolke," from Der Freischutz by von Weber

Goethe Lieder by Hugo Wolf

Mignon I:  Heiss mich nicht reden

Mignon II:  Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt

Mignon III:  So lasst mich scheinen

Mignon:  Kennst du das Land

"Marietta's Lied," from Die tote Stadt by Erich Wolfgang Korngold

INTERMISSION

Melodies Passageres by Samuel Barber

Puisque tout passe

Un cygne

Tombeau dans un parc

Le clocher chante

Depart

Four Songs by Richard Hundley

Will there really be a morning?

Come ready and see me

My master hath a garden

Moonlight Watermelon

Melodies Passageres, Puisque tout passe

I.  Since all things pass

"Since all things pass,

let's make a passing melody;

the one to quench our thirst

will be the one to win us.

What leaves us, let us sing

with love and art;

and swifter let us be

than the swift depart."

Melodies Passageres, Un Cygne

II.  A Swan

"A swan moves over the water

surrounded by itself,

like a painting that glides;

thus, at times,

a being one loves

is a whole moving space.

And draws near, doubled,

like the moving swan,

on our troubled soul...

which to that being adds

the trembling image

of happiness and doubt."

Melodies Passageres, Tombeau dans un parc

III.  Grave in a park

"At the end of the avenue, sleep,

tender child, beneath the stone;

around your interval we'll sing

the song of summer.

If a white dove

flies overhead,

I will lay upon your grave

only its shadow that falls."

Melodies Passageres, Le clocher chante

IV. The Bell Tower Sings

"Better warmed than a secular tower,

to ripen my carillon am I.

May it be sweet, may it be good

for the girls of Valais.

Every Sunday, tone by tone,

I throw them out my manna;

may it be good my carillon,

for the girls of Valais.

May it be sweet, may it be good;

into their beers on Saturday nights,

drop by drop, falls my carillon

for the boys of the girls of Valais."

Melodies Passageres, Depart

V. Departure

"My sweet, I must go away.

Would you like to see 

the place on the map?

It's a black point.

In me, it will be

if the thing succeeds,

a rose-red point

in a green land."

Perfectionist or Pursuer of Excellence? -- and why it matters.

OK - so with two weeks to go to my recital I learned a BIG lesson today!

My perfectionism cannot be in charge!  I must re-think what I am trying to do here.  As singers we often work so hard to "get it right" that we lose the beauty of why we went into music in the first place.  YES - it is important to know your notes, music, translations, etc... but there comes a time when we just have to make music and not judge or condemn ourselves for not being perfect.  *In case you're wondering, I am talking to myself.  

But seriously - what's going on here?  Life is not about being perfect but rather striving for excellence.  I really like what Dr. Kevin Leman (Psychologist) has to say on this subject.  In his book "The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are," Chapter 6 is entitled "Moving from Perfectionism toward Excellence."  He lists eight differences between perfectionists and pursuers of excellence:

1.  Those who chase perfection are always reaching beyond their grasp-for the top.  They set impossible goals.  Pursuers of excellence set goals too, according to their own high standards, but they put those goals within reach.

2.  Perfectionists base their value on their accomplishments.  They have to produce or else.  Seekers of excellence value themselves simply for who they are.

3.  Perfectionists are easily dismayed by disappointment and will often throw up their hands in total defeat because if they can't be perfect, why even try?  Seekers of excellence can be disappointed or hurt by a setback but they don't give up.  They keep moving toward their goal.

4.  Perfectionists regard failure as the ultimate evil and let it devastate them.  Pursuers of excellence are always learning from their mistakes and failures so they can do a better job in the future.

5.  Perfectionists remember their mistakes and chew on them the way a dog gnaws a bone.  They are sure everyone else remembers them too and are ready to pounce.  Seekers of excellence correct their mistakes and let them fade from memory so they aren't inhibited in the future.

6.  Perfectionists can only settle for being number one.  Pursuers of excellence are happy with themselves as long as they are sure they tried as hard as they could.

7.  Perfectionists fear and hate criticism and will either avoid it or ignore it.  Seekers of excellence don't enjoy criticism but they welcome it because it may help them improve.

8.  Perfectionists have to win or their self-image plunges to zero.  Pursuers of excellence can finish second, third, or even lower and their self-image remains strong.

I think the overall point of what he's saying is us perfectionists need to RELAX.  Not only is perfectionism a flaw - it can be very detrimental to your life.  I have watched myself waste and ruin so many moments in my life by getting mad at myself for not being perfect.  And while I hate this about myself, I am thankful for this moment to stop, evaluate and redirect my thoughts and energy.  I hope to meditate on these truths and set new goals for events such as my recital - a goal not to be perfect but something far greater!

Excited about new music - but not yet...

I am so excited about learning Sour Angelica 

as well as La Boheme and Don Giovanni 

- HOWEVER - 

my recital is in less than three weeks and I need to stay focused.  

So for now, it's Wolf, Barber, Hundley, etc...