I auditioned for a solo in my choir last night!! This is huge for me.

[Shine]

I sing first alto in a very popular and powerful 60-voice community choir. This is only my second year with them. We specialize in singing sacred choral and folk music from traditions around the world, composed over the past eight centuries. We perform regularly for various churches and we also have two big concerts, in the winter and spring where we perform for 800+ people. We're working on the spring program now.

Last night I auditioned for my very first lead solo in front of everybody. I think I did a great job and I'm planning to send the choir director an email letting him know how much I appreciated the opportunity to audition and how much I would loooove to have the part.

I'm a bit nervous about putting myself out there so assertively. There are many others who have been in the choir longer and who are interested in the lead as well. He'll be auditioning them too, in the weeks ahead.

I've gone back and forth about whether I should just passively and without attachment wait it out and not say anything.....OR, if I should clearly and assertively state my desire for what I want.

In the end, I've decided to send him a very nice "thank you" email because I figure if I don't let him know my thoughts, and he ends up picking somebody else, I'd always regret it and wonder if it would have made a difference.

So....I'm proud of myself for being brave enough to audition and assertively request the lead, but I'm also nervous as hell I'm gonna be turned down. Excited...Scared...Excited....Scared....It's an interesting dance. :D

Wish me luck! :hi:

[Raffi Ella]

1. ah,that's GREAT!!

You should be very proud of yourself!I love to sing but would NEVER sing solo,COULD NOT sing solo even if my life depended on it!I'm very impressed with anyone that can do that :)

I hope you get it.I got my fingers crossed for ya' ~ GOOD LUCK!

[Shine]

5. Hey, thanks a lot!

I actually wasn't that nervous, amazingly enough.
Probably because I had my head down and was reading the words off the page the whole time. :D heheh.

:hi: I hope I get it, too!

[AllegroRondo]

2. Break a leg!

even if you dont get this part, just auditioning for it give you the experience and gets you noticed by the choir director, which will make the next auditions that much easier.

[Shine]

6. Yeah, you're right.

Now that I've done it, it'll be easier next time. Thanks, AllegroRondo! :hug:

[I Have A Dream]

3. I'm visualizing you up there singing solo, Shine!

You look and sound absolutely beautiful up there! :D

:hi:

[Shine]

7. Awwww...thanks, honey.

That's exactly what I've been doing, too.....right down to wondering what I'm gonna wear! LOL. :hug: :loveya:

:hi:

[Zuiderelle]

4. A thank you note might not be bad, but I don't think you should mention how much you want it.

Just auditioning for it is evidence enough that you want it. I hope you get the solo, but don't be disappointed if someone else who's been there longer gets it. There could be a lot of politics involved. It's an accomplishment all by itself that you were able to surpass any fears and sing in front of your peers.

:toast: to lots of future solos!

[Shine]

8. Too late!

:D I already sent the email. We'll see what happens...

Yes, I'll be disappointed if I don't get it...but I think I'd be even more disappointed if I don't get it AND I hadn't let my feeling be known, ahead of time. I'd always wonder....

In any case, thanks for your good wishes! :hi:

[VenusRising]

9. Congratulations!

Auditioning can be murderous to your nerves. You have every right to be proud of yourself just for taking the step of going after what you want. It's not always easy, but you did it!! Way to go!

:applause:

[Shine]

13. Thank you, VenusRising.

:hug: I LOVE your username by the way. :thumbsup:

:hi:

[VenusRising]

22. Thank you.

Yours seems to fit you, too. I love that!!

:hi::hug:

[flamingyouth]

10. Shine, that's so cool

I'm proud of you for doing that! That takes a lot of courage, but I know you did great and I really feel you have a good chance of being chosen. I always think a nice thank you is a lovely gesture.

Wonderful! All the best of luck. I'll be pulling for you! :hug::loveya:

[Shine]

14. Thanks, sweetheart.

I really appreciate your kind words. Every little bit of extra postive energy can only help.
:hug: :loveya:

:hi:

[skygazer]

11. Wow, I'm so proud of you!

I don't think I'd have the nerve to do that, even if I could sing (which I can't though I love to, much to the chagrin of my friends and family).

The choir sounds wonderful - I love choir music and it sounds like you do a lovely mix of material. When and where is this big spring program - sounds like something I'd really enjoy attending. And whether you solo or not, I'd love to see your perform!

Good luck!! :loveya: :pals:

[Shine]

16. Thanks, skygazer!

I'll PM you the link for the choir. It's really cool. Our concert will be on Sat.May 19th.
I sooo much appreciate your kind words and interest.

:hug: :loveya: :pals: :hi:

[Heidi]

12. I'm writing SHINE on a little piece of paper

and placing it in the hands of the medicine Buddha on the altar in my studio. :hug:

[Shine]

17. Wow, that's very kind of you, Heidi. I'm touched and honored, really.

Thanks very much, sweetie. :hug: :loveya: I hope I get it!

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Good for you, my dear Shine!

Wow, auditioning for a solo part!

That takes courage, and lots of it!

I hope you get it too.........

But whatever happens.....

You conquered your demons, and that's all that really matters, sweetie...

:loveya: :hug: :applause: :applause:

[Shine]

20. Thanks, Peggy.

Yup, whatever happens, I can be proud of the fact that at least I tried.

We'll see what happens next.....

Thanks again for your good wishes! :hug: :hi: :loveya:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. Good for you, Shine!

The fact that you stuck your neck out and auditioned for the solo part has already sent your message to the director.

I hope you win the part!

:hug::hug::hug:

[Shine]

21. Time will tell.

I haven't gotten an email response to the one I sent him earlier....but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

We'll see what happens in the weeks ahead...

In the meantime, thanks for you good wishes, my friend. I hope I get it too! :hug: :loveya: :hi:

[idgiehkt]

19. Best of luck, Shine!

I know what you mean about this:

"In the end, I've decided to send him a very nice "thank you" email because I figure if I don't let him know my thoughts, and he ends up picking somebody else, I'd always regret it and wonder if it would have made a difference."

Sounds like the right decision. Good luck to you!

[Shine]

24. Thanks, idgiehkt.

:hug:
Yeah, I think I did the right thing, too....as much as it makes me nervous putting myself out there so blatantly.

Thanks again, for your good wishes! :hi:

[ChoralScholar]

23. As a choir director - a note couldn't hurt

but I doubt it will make a difference in the outcome of the auditions.

Many choir directors are all-business. They especially enjoy those choristers that work hard and do their job every day without fail.

I, personally, would rather not hear from choir members about the solo. I do the auditions - I post the results at the appointed time - That's it.


Congratulations on your audition though. What did you audition for?

[Shine]

25. Well, you may be right about that, ChoralScholar. The note might not effect anything

regarding the audition result, itself, but it would have definitely effected my own sense of regret if I didn't get the part AND I hadn't been clear about my desire for it.

I'm glad I wrote the note, even if it makes me nervous for so blatantly putting myself out there. We'll see what happens....

Hey, you're the first person who has asked what the part was for, not surprisingly! :D It's a song called "Wanting Memories", by the African-American women's a capella ensemble group, Sweet Honey In the Rock. Have you ever heard of them? :shrug: They're wonderful!

:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

38. Oh, I was in an ensemble in Portland that did that song

It's lovely, but it was hard to sing, because we did it shortly after my grandmother died. :-(

[Shine]

44. Hi Lydia!

yeah, it's a bittersweet song, but so uplifting, too.

I love it and I'm really stoked our choir is singing it this season. First time I ever heard it performed I was moved to tears.

:hug: :hi:

[ChoralScholar]

40. I did Wanting Memories with my

9th Graders last year at the end of the final concert. It was a ceremonial 'passing them on' from Jr. High to High School. Very moving.

I've not heard the original recording. I do have the recording of my students.

HJHS Jr. Goblin Singers - 2006 Spring Concert - Wanting Memories - Arr. Graeme Langager
http://www.hjhsyearbook.info/WantingMemories-Arr.Langager.mp3

Great text though:

I am sitting here wanting memories
To teach me to see the beauty of the world through my own eyes.

[Shine]

43. Wow, what a great version of it! I love all the percussion.

:applause: Thanks for sharing that link.

It is an incredibly moving and deep song.

I'm glad you know of it. I'm stoked we're singing it this season.

:hi:

[hippywife]

26. Good vibes!

And many wishes that you get it, my swine sister!

[Shine]

27. hippywife!!!

:hug: :loveya: :hug: :loveya:
Good to see ya, gf!!

I hope I get it, too, although I'm nervous as hell about it. Thanks for your good wishes.

:hi:

[hippywife]

28. I take it it's

going to be some weeks before you hear anything? Keep us posted when you do.

[Race4Peace]

29. yea, it's fun to audition and make it powerful. hope ya get the solo!

i'm trying for the bass solo in 'Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord' in our chorus.

i'll just say that if you weren't shaking like an ice-box when you auditioned, you're a better first-time soloist than i!

best

[Shine]

32. Thanks, Race4Peace!

:hug: Good luck to you, too! :hi:

MrShine sings first bass in our choir.

[lizziegrace]

30. Good for you!

Courage is a funny thing. Makes you do things many others wouldn't even attempt. ;)

I hope you get it. :hug:

[Shine]

34. Thanks, lizziegrace.

:hug:
Here's to pushing through Fear, with Courage. :toast:

[SPKrazy]

31. Best Of Luck Shine!

that sounds very coooool!

I don't think it is wrong at all to be assertive

you have my vibes playing for you!

vibe vibe vibe vibe vibe

:hug:

:loveya:

[Shine]

35. Thank you, friend.

:hug: :loveya:
Right now I'm feeling good about it, regardless of whatever happens.

[SPKrazy]

37. Sometimes That Is The Most Important Thing

is giving something a try

:thumbsup:

:hug:

:loveya:

[graywarrior]

33. Hooray for Shine!!!!

[Shine]

36. Thanks, graywarrior.

:hug:
what a cool little band. :thumbsup: I love it!
:hi:

[graywarrior]

39. You rule. Shine!

[Nicole]

41. Good Luck Shine!

Congrats on even trying out. That took guts! :toast:

[Shine]

45. Thanks, Nicole.

Here's to pushing through self-doubt....:toast:

:hug: :hi:

[u4ic]

42. w00t!

Shine, baby, shine...on stage!! :D


I'm sure you did. You know that confidence is the key to performing, and you have it in spades. :loveya: :hug:

[Shine]

46. Awwww...thanks, sweetheart.

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

I keep visualizing myself up there, but I can't figure out which black dress I should be wearing! :D lol.

:hi:

[u4ic]

47. The little one

;) :bounce: