I have had a very artistic and musical few days. Which is odd considering that I couldn’t even TALK on Thursday and that Friday was my first full day out of my sick bed. Today was the first day that I have been able to sing every note in my register in about a month. For being so newly recovered I certainly overtaxed my body and voice.
Friday: Musical theater rehearsal
Saturday: Judged district PTA reflection contest entries.(Felt sad that I could not give extra “Awesome Points” to the film entry that included tiny, fluffy BUNNIES!) Rehearsed for performances on Sunday.
Sunday: Three performances.
Yup. THREE. Two performances were at church services and the third was a big ‘ole concert.
Every year there is an interfaith Christmas concert held at the Tabernacle to benefit Cache Valley’s food pantry. Instead of money for ticket, there are big bins to leave food and containers for cash donations.
IT. WAS. PACKED.
There were probably a hundred plus people standing in the aisles and at the back. They even stood up the stairs that the performers use to get on and off the stage. It was crazy, but fun.
Two of the selections were conducted by Craig Jessop. For those who don’t know him, he is the conductor of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which is a pretty nifty singing group. He’s swell. I’ve sung under his baton quite a few times over the years and love working with him.
Jonathan and I do this concert every year and this year we were joined by my friends Mary Ellen and MacKenzie. We had lots of fun. I really enjoy singing with my friends and especially my husband, because it is one of the few things that we have in common.
Jonathan and I both sing well for the average person. We sound good together, but it is difficult to find pieces for us to sing because we are both low voices. Probably the thing that makes us stand out is our “Tone”. They are dark and rich and honey-like.
Sorry, got off track there reveling in my awesomeness.
We are always highly in demand during the holiday’s. We both come from very large, musical families, so we are often guest soloing or performing as “Ringers” in family members choirs, parties, business functions and church meetings. It’s fine, but it can make it pretty taxing, both vocally and schedule-wise. This year is comparatively light, thank goodness.
It was so reassuring to be able to sing tonight. It has been crazy scary for my voice lately. Thick, green mucous that resembled brain matter was my constant companion for almost four weeks. Do you know what that is like? I imagine it is pretty close to having to live with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears suctioned to your body 24-7. (I admit, that may be a TINY bit grodier, but it is a damn close call.)
Shudder.
Usually when I am sick, I don’t totally lose my voice. I was VERY sick during the Odgen performance of my role as Mezzo soloist in The Messiah, but I could stil eek through it. I would have been SCREWED if I was sick like this back then. They would have had to scramble to find a replacement.
Which reminds me…
*Begin of spectacular rant of insecurity mingled with a healthy dose of ego*
Ok, ok. I have had a few dozen emails over the last months to post a damn clip of it already. I have been hesitant because it is my classical voice, and it is not usually to most people’s taste. I can sing other styles, like my recording from “Wicked”with the other Loralee. It is pretty cool. If you aren’t into opera and like a lighter sound you should take a listen. Still, classical is what I am best at.
I also hesitate because of the sound quality of the recording. Don’t get me wrong, it is NOT the fault of our fab videographer, it is the fault of the theater. The recording was not piped into my mike, so what your are hearing is mainly my nasal core tones. A lot of the “Pretty” is not there. The orchestra is also off because the lighting in the first half made half of them blind. Poor guys.
That night was difficult. Sickness compounds a few obstacles that already exist for me. For one, as a low voice, it is very hard to project over a big orchestra. I also had such a hard time navigating between my upper and lower registers. (Which might only makes sense to you, and you and you. Sorry, non-vocal people! Oh, great. Now I am having anxiety that there may be some other vocal person out there that I didn’t link to. Please don’t stone me. It’s late and I am totally tired. I’ll make out with you in the parking lot after school tomorrow to make up for it. I’m a whore like that.)
I’m afraid you won’t like it.
Best to just lay it out on the table even though it makes me feel naked with vulnerability.
What? What was that, you say? Enough damn excuses and talk about “Mucous, this” and “Naked, that” and post the freaking link already?
FINE, THEN! See if I am ever vulnerable and naked in front of you again!! In fact, if that is the way you feel about it you can just go sleep on the couch and forget about seeing me naked for a damn long time!!!
Oh…Wait…For a minute there I thought I was arguing with my husband.*
Where was I?
Oh, yes…
Wanna see me sing in front of an orchestra while totally stoned on enough painkillers to down an Elephant and eleventyhundred doses of Nyquil in a kick ass dress?
(Freaking. Ducking. Hiding. Never coming out again. Well, at least not until tomorrow.)
*End of rant*
It’s sad how insecure such an extroverted individual can be, no?
Sigh…
###
*Kidding. I never argue like that. I’m more of a “I’m just going to go out and purchase items that you don’t usually like me to buy as sweet, sweet revenge” type of person.
Vanessa says:
wow!! Just WOW!
I can’t say any more because, well, I’m just so completely WOWed by your performance.
It’s like I’ve just seen a whole ‘nother you. You should bear in mind that the only other time I’ve seen you on video was that hilarious dancing-around-your-neighbourhood video you made (which I loooved too!)… but THIS is, like I said, a whole ‘nother YOU!
Wow!
Vx
December 10th, 2007 at 7:35 am
glittersmama says:
You were awesome. Glitter actually sat through the entire piece.
Sidenote: I’ve never seen translators with such good interpretive dance skills. :)
December 10th, 2007 at 8:40 am
coolbeans says:
Hey, ding-dong. That was pretty stinkin’ fabulous.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Davie says:
You sounded great considering half of the second violins were out to get you.
It could have been much worse:
December 10th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Amber says:
I seriously think you could have gone pro - your voice is just that good. Nice to know you are in demand over the holidays. Funny, because even the carolers don’t invite me along. :-)
December 10th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Jenn says:
Your awesomeness.
Yes, that’s it exactly.
Let’s focus on that, shall we?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Davie says:
The Missing Link from above.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Rachel says:
Whee!!!! I’m so glad you finally posted this. Way to go for getting out of your comfort zone! You’re freaking amazing!
December 10th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Erika says:
Oh yeah? Well I can dance. There.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Mom2four says:
Well. I don’t think you should worry. THAT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!
So there. ;)
December 10th, 2007 at 10:32 am
hairyshoefairy says:
You’re such a freakin’ babe! You also look completely amazing to match your awesome voice. I just love that dress.
Also, yes, I totally know what that’s like. Umm, not the whole Paris and Britney thing, but definitely the whole brain-matter-mucus thing. Ick. Glad you’re in a more singable condition now. I love that non-denominational Christmas concert.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:58 am
raygon says:
thanks for posting this! i have really been wanting to hear you sing. you are amazing. so talented.
i love that you keep quiet and shop for revenge. my kind of girl.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Jill - GlossyVeneer says:
You are so incredibly talented. Thank you for sharing with us. And you do look totally smokin’!
December 10th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Angella says:
“Sorry, got off track there reveling in my awesomeness.”
DUDE.
You. FREAKING! ROCK!
I cannot WAIT to hear you sing in person!
Holy crap.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Chelle says:
I am still amazed by you… I can’t believe you can do that. Phenomenal!!!
I also really loved that you posted this just before Christmas, when I can’t hear too much of the Messiah.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Michelle at Scribbit says:
So I’ve read your blog for a year now and have yet to see a video clip of you singing. Have I just been a dork and missed it or are you just chicken? When are we going to get to see/hear you? I’ve always imagined your voice as low and sultry.
Andrew and I were just reminiscing about the year we were first dating and going to temple square to hear the Messiah. Good memories.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Michelle at Scribbit says:
Boy that comment sounded pushy. Sounds like I’m calling you out or something :)
December 10th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Melly says:
Awesome!
December 11th, 2007 at 12:46 am
Bridge says:
I request a private concert of some Christmasy songs…
Can you tell I am tired?
You think I am kidding too.
I think I will request Jingle Bell Rock.
December 11th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Michelle at Scribbit says:
Can you please delete my earlier idiot comment? I was amazed–you have a BEAUTIFUL voice.
Though can I ask if I was the only one rolling on the floor at the sight of the signers doing what can only be described as interpretive dance? My sister took ASL and laughs when people try to sign music like that because she says it just doesn’t translate like that. If nothing else it’s a bit distracting :)
Love you dress too btw.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:17 am
Michelle at Scribbit says:
I’m sorry I had to watch the signers again, it was just too funny–like Napoleon Dynamite and “the Rose”
December 11th, 2007 at 1:22 am
Melly says:
Side note: Bridge, you were my wedding photographer, and I loved you!
December 11th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
falwyn says:
I am a vocal-ish person. I think you rocked. And your dress rocked even harder.
Gotta get out my Messiah CDs….
December 11th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Camille says:
I could go on and on about how good you were, but I’d rather tell you I think that you should never take off that amazing dress! (That kind of sounded a bit perverted…ish.) And what was with the gangster sign languagers? I hope you don’t know them personally or I would feel bad, but they did do a very–hearty–job. : ) Go you!
December 11th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
loralee says:
OH MY FREAKING HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just DELETED MY COMMENT RESPONSES!!!!
They were long! Insightful!! Pithy!!!!
And I FREAKING DELETED THEM.
I think I spent more time on them than the average post takes to write.
Snot, snot, snot, snot.
I am going to go off and consume a pint of peach sorbet, pout, and start over.
Dammit.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
loralee says:
P.S
Note about the sign language people.
This is a unique production of “The Messiah”. It’s actually billed, “The Multicultural Messiah”. One piece is in Spanish and we have a signing chorus.
The majority of them are deaf and are amazing. The proceeds of the concert go to an annual humanitarian trip to Mexico to fit impovrished kids with hearing aids.
And no, I wasn’t offended by the comments (I had to laugh at the Napoleon Dynamite comment. I couldn’t help it! Happy Hands Club!!). I wasn’t sure how I felt about it when I first started participating.
It is a lot more overwhelming close up on video than when you are in a big concert hall. Most people that see it really like it, but it is something you have to go…um…different? and get used to.
Ok, that is part of the million line response that I had and DELETED. GRRR.
NOW I am going to eat peach sorbet…
December 12th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Melanie at BeanPaste says:
Well, you looked gorgeous and sounded lovely.
Plus! How cool is it that Dick Cheney sat in with violins?
December 12th, 2007 at 1:29 am
ThatOneGuy says:
I love the lower female voice - ultra sexy… and as one music person to another — you have a lovely zygomatic arch…
In earlier years I have performed the tenor solo spot for The Messiah… Been a while though.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:33 pm