This weekend I showed you around the place where I sit my pancake-like heiny down to write and work every day.
But that isn’t the only thing I do, ya know.
For years and years, instead of doing things that you are familiar with me doing, like speaking at blogging conferences like this:
I did things like this:
And heck, sometimes I marry the two and do things like this:
(I don’t really recommend it, though. You get a whole lot of weird stares from your family.)
ANYWAY.
I can carry a tune.
I can carry it pretty darn well.
I’ve done a lot of singing in choirs, musical theater and opera over the years.
To quote part of my bio:
“Loralee is also a classically trained opera singer that is well versed in tromping around on stage in corsets and playing men, alcoholics, witches, nuns, evil stepmothers and woman of ill repute. “
It’s brought me the most insane joy. You can’t know what it’s like to be able to REALLY sing or play music well unless, well, you can. I have been able to experience music so beautiful I have cried onstage.
It’s how I met my husband (Who was a cello (AND PHYSICS) major in college and who is a very good bass singer in his own right.) (And with only 6-weeks of formal lessons. Bastard.).
It’s how I knew that Butterlump’s name would be Aaron. (I stood onstage, performing while hugely pregnant, and decided that there could not be a finer man to name my child after than the man that had such a gift that this incredible piece of music could come from his soul.)
For most of my life, I thought that singing and performing would BE my life. My bread and butter. My life-long ambition.
I was wrong about that. The life is hard and really, while I love it, I just do NOT have the kind of intense passion it takes to live it day in and day out. I knew I couldn’t have the kind of family I wanted if I was constantly on the road for months at a time. Besides, being a music major in college (full ride scholarship, thank you very much) just about destroyed my love of music, actually.
Fortunately, the love returned, and I have continued to perform as much as possible over the years.
When people talk about going to see a classical concert, opera, or musical theater performance, they usually see something like this (I am in the front row of oratorio soloists, third speck from the right or left):
When I talk about going to a concert or performance, this is what I see:
My hours and number of performances I’ve seen onstage far, far, FAR outweight the hours and performances I’ve seen as an audience member.
I love the view from onstage.
I love looking up to the cat walks in the fly space. (The fly space is FREAKING TALL so that they can have the scenery drops rise and be stored there. The catwalks are metal bridges that give access to flys and lights and such and span the width of the stage waaaaay up high.) (It’s a pretty hot make out spot. Just so you know.)
The theater is like home to me.
Would you like to see a brief tour of what one is like?
I’m in an amazing choir (American Festival Chorus). (If you click on that link, I’m on the top row, 9th speck over from the right.) If you are anywhere in Northern Utah? I HIGHLY suggest catching one of our concerts. 300-amazing voices and as fine an orchestra as I have ever worked with. And I have worked with some pretty fine orchestras.
We’ll use some of the photos I snapped during this year’s Christmas concert at one of the most INCREDIBLE GEMS of a theater I have ever been in. It’s in my town, can you believe it?The Ellen Eccles theater is insanely gorgeous, people. I cannot even begin to calculate the number of hours I have spent rehearsing and performing in this space.
Our choir loves performing there. I prefer small chamber or solo work but this choir is incredible. Little wonder why–it’s conducted by an AMAZING director. (Former director of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Seriously, click the link and read about him. And then envy that I get to work with someone like that.) Weirdly, right after this concert we were both in New York for different things and I ran into Dr. Jessop and his lovely wife at JFK with my boss. It was awesome. :)
That is him in the middle of the PACKED Annex where we all cram in like sheep to warm up before a concert. (The people I get to sing with is a cherry on top of the music sundae.)
What is an Annex? Well, it is a HUGE room with cement floors right off of the stage wings. It’s where large cast meetings are held if the chorus rooms downstairs are not big enough, and all the props and surplus instruments are kept for the evening. I’ve been to cast parties here, constructed sets here and spent many an hour waiting around before heading to the wings to go on.
There are MASSIVE metal door that you can close and there is a huge ‘garage” door where the humungo sets are delivered and big instruments like Timpani are transported through. It gets really cold in there in the winter. Which is why in one of these photos you’ll see me sitting under a heat lamp getting warm so that my fingers can turn the pages before I go on.
Speaking of turning pages, outside of costumes and things, singers don’t have a lot of “stuff” that they use while singing.
Tangent: I wear the oddest footwear when I perform. It’s kind of become a ‘thing’ with me that started when my college boyfriend told me it would be totally sexy if I wore his tall Doc Martin military boots when I sang a solo he was coming to watch. Since my dress was black and floor length (and let’s face, I really wanted to turn him on) I totally did. And since then, I have worn flip flops, crocs, slippers and even bare feet when I perform.
As long as there is ZERO chance my feet will be seen I am TOTALLY OK WITH THIS, SO PFFFTTTTH!
Why?
Being onstage is often really hot with all the lights and really uncomfortable. You have wigs on, makeup CAKED on, mics taped to your face (see the photo at the top. that is a mic taped to my cheekbone). Most costumes are REALLY uncomfortable. (The performance where I was in a corset and hoopskirt jumping on a trampoline comes to mind.) And you have NO idea how hard performing is on your body. It’s enough without your your feet hurting so much they threaten to bitchslap you in protest and mutiny.) On this particular evening, this was my tame, but fugly (and comfy) choice:
Anyway, we’re not like instrumentalists that have cases and bows and rosin and blah, blah, blah. BUT, if you are a choir or oratorio performer you LIVE AND DIE by “The Black Folder”. It is essential. It has a place for your pencil (the shortest pencil is better than the longest memory. Musicians COVER their scores with markings and notes), hand strap so that you keep your folder stable, it has dividers with elastics to secure your music so that it doesn’t flutter to the floor (Which has never happened to me. I’ve passed out on stage and had a lizard leap on my music during a solo performance with the Honolulu Symphony BUT I HAVE NEVER ONCE DROPPED MY MUSIC, Y’ALL!).
It’s also handy to use as a pillow in your dressing room when you are sick with a 104+ degree fever and exhausted and fall asleep on the floor before you have to get all gussied up to sing. (THE SHOW MUST GO ON, PEOPLE!)
Which takes us to “The dressing room”. I’ve been in quite a few in my time and they are all the same for the most part. There are three types of dressing rooms in theater and opera–Chorus, supporting roles and lead roles. I’ve been in all three many times, and I have two examples to show you here.
The first is the big choral dressing room. You have your stations and YOU WILL PAY if you try to take someone’s space over. Especially during a long run. It’s a fun place. There is lots of gabbing, laughing, running around in various states of dress and for the most part, you have a great time with a big group of friends.
The small room is where you live if you any kind of role in the show besides a chorus (well, depending on the number of rooms. I did summer stock (above) and you had to get there early to get a spot at the mirror. If you were late, you were on the floor with a hand mirror. That’s the life, yo.). Every room has a sink, costume racks for your ditty bags and changes and lit mirrors. It also has an intercom so that you can hear announcements and get called to the stage. (Will I EVER get sick of hearing, “15 minutes to curtain, Ms. Choate”? NO, I WILL NOT.) The last two spaces are the green room (right). *NOTE: If you are a visiting artist and/or choir performing with a symphony, NEVER USE THEIR GREEN ROOM WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION. They will CUT YOU. These are nice because it is your own space but honestly…it can get a bit lonely sometimes. (Unless your friends from the chorus come and hang out with you!)
Last is the entrance to the orchestra pit. I have sung many a piece crowded in right there. It’s where you can see the conductor and be heard by the audience when you are supposed to be singing off stage. The lead dressing rooms are usually LOVELY, with their own bathroom, shower, furniture, carpet, huge full-length mirrors and flowers n’ stuff. (I have not spent NEARLY as much time in those rooms as I would like! Heh.)
So, yeah.
That’s pretty much what I do and where.
It’s brought me the most unbelievable joy. For so long I thought it was the only thing I could do. It defined me. Now, when I write or speak at or attend conference and someone raises their eyebrows in surprise that I am a classically trained singer I inwardly beam.
Singing isn’t all I am capable of.
But without it, I wouldn’t have learned that in life you have to have a WHOLE FREAKING HECK OF A LOT OF THIS:
Before you get to go out and experience the incredible glory that is this:
And that, like the rest of my life, has been one valuable lesson.
ENCORE!
:)
Thanks for the tour – really interesting! I am going to share this with my college-age daughter. She is in the Chamber Chorus at her school. She loves it so much. She has been in one choir or another since she was 10, and really excelled in high school. She has a scholarship for it, as well, but not a full ride. Her choir is traveling to Rome in June, and will sing at the Vatican while they are there (for a Catholic University, this is a huge deal – it’s really hard to get approved!), she is so excited, she can hardly stand it.
She’ll love seeing this, thanks for posting!
That is great! My alma mater is performing there in April I think. I REALLY wanted to go on that trip (they opened it up to members of AFC) but we couldn’t afford it. I am DYING to go to Italy.
Good luck to your daughter!
I love this post so so so much. I can hear your voice get excited about singing when I’m reading this. Really neat.
I truly love doing what I do. (and I am so lucky to get to do it)
love that golden dress!
such a great post! XO
That is my very, very, very favorite performing gown EVER. I looked very hard for it and it is really one of the most gorgeous things onstage. I heart it.
I LOVE theater and lived it for a long time. (Can’t sing to save my life, so no musical theater for me.) And, oh, this post brought back so many memories. I really miss being part of this world, and though my life has gone in different directions now, I read something like this and want to jump right back in with both feet. Thanks for the memories.
Love, love, love!! Oh, I must get back to the theatre someday!
I love that we were in a musical together a gazillion years ago and that you read me for a long time before we figured it out! THAT was AWESOME!
I love to sing. Love, love, love, LOVE to sing. I’ve taken voice lessons and been in several choirs and I miss it when I’m not. I choose what music I listen to and buy based on how singable it is.
However. I’m not a performer. I don’t mind practicing, but I don’t really have the patience for all the frou-frou and brouhaha (frouhaha?) associated with auditions and rehearsals and performances. (Once when I was at a music camp I got to sing as part of a 12-person choir in the Lied Center in Lincoln, NE, including a one-line solo. I admit that was pretty heady stuff, getting to be onstage in big performing arts center in front of hundreds of people.) I’m just as happy singing in church or in the car or to my kids.
All of that said, though…the part about music that gets me every time is when I’m performing with other people and everything just clicks. To me, there are few joys in life that equal singing harmony to someone else’s melody and looking over at them and smiling and feeling like you’re walking on air because you’re having so freaking much FUN and the music sounds so good and YOU are making that music!
I love singing everywhere (I am a perpetual shower-singer). But, I gotta say that I love performing. There is just an added vibe to the interaction between the audience and performers that you can sometimes literally feel. It’s awesome.
I miss performing so much it physically hurts.
As for shoes, I can’t think of one single jazz concert I have played in where I actually WORE shoes. I totally get it!
LOL! SO YOU FEEL MY PAIN THEN! What instrument?
Awe-inspiring, it really is! I always wished I could sing…really sing. My daughter can, but since she is 14 now, chooses not to. I am hoping she goes back to it someday. When I hear her sing, it makes my heart soar! I love that you have this talent and have embraced it! I am hoping the same for my daughter some day. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, I hope she realizes that singing is such a good thing! I’m sure she’ll pick it up again once the teen thing subsides. Is she in lessons?
You should totally wear some of those dresses in to work. I rented a tux once for a fancy night out and wore it to work and never realized how much people can laugh.
Now THAT is hilarious, Joe!
Bravo my dear! You always were such a lovely singer and I’m so glad you still enjoy it so much because I’m sure everyone who hears you certainly enjoys it as well!
Awe, that means a lot. Singing and drama pretty much got me through High School.
P.S. I love the second to last photo of your rehearsing. While the extra-super-fun part is when you get to sing in front of an audience that photo is what most of the singing prep looks like. For hours over months. Have I mentioned I’m jealous you get to be in Dr. Jessop’s choir? I have? Oh, well, it’s still true.
I love that one, too. Harry was doing some last minute vocal coaching for me. I love that guy.
I wish you lived close enough to be in it. Tell your DH when he settles that you need to live in Davis county so you can commute up for rehearsals!
Ohhh, I love seeing the behind the scenes photos! Next up? VIDEO FOOTAGE. I want to see the goofy Loralee backstage stuff that I know is happening.
Remind me to tell you about the time I had to do a quick change behind some scenery onstage, the zipper got stuck and I hit my mic button to ‘on’ JUST as I said, “DAMMIT, RIP IT OFF MY BODY!”
One day I’d love to see you perform. Very, VERY cool, Loralee!
I totally wish I’d had sung for you at BlogHer. I think I should hold a concert in the bathroom between sessions. Heh!
The Ellen Eccles Theatre is one of the most beautiful theaters anywhere! I’ve to theaters in cities like London and San Francisco and thought they were dumps in comparison. Now that I’m back in Utah seeing you and The American Festival Chorus is at the top of my list!
ISN’T IT?! I LOVE that theater. It is truly one of the finest there is in all ways.
AND, if you are in Northern Utah and DON’T take the opportunity to hear this amazing choir, you are dumb. Seriously. They are SO awesome. The end.
Loralee – you can pay me later ;) heehee!
I am so glad you got to see a concert before you moved, babe. I loved that you were there. :)
Ok, normally I have something incredibly wise counsel to offer – which, of course, should be followed at all costs – or some amazingly witty bon mot.
Today, I have neither.
What I have is jaw-dropping amazement at how gifted Lo is. Yes, she is a Whiner, but a brilliantly gifted one.
Peeps, if you have not seen or heard her perform, you have missed something. If you live in Cache Valley, go.
This is a huge compliment. Even though you’re my brother and have to say so! ;)
P.S. You came *THIS CLOSE* to sounding like an “earnest commenter”! BRAVO!!! Hee
I LOVED seeing all the photos of you in action. I am sure you will sell out any arena you are at in 30 seconds flat.
I need to stand under your window and serenade you one of these nights. Just make sure Bhans knows so he doesn’t call the cops on me. ;)
I know I’ve shared this with you before….but I loved seeing you perform. It’s one of my favorite memories of living in Utah. And being backstage was amazing!
I LOVED that you came and saw me belt out some tunes. That was one of the best performances ever and the cast LOVED you!
Thanks for a great tour from a part of your life I don’t get to see very often. It was fun seeing all the behind the scenes action. Few people realize how much it takes to put on those kinds of productions and this was a great reminder.
Glad ya liked it, sis! I love you. xo
What a wonderful post! And look, you even got your brother Rhett to give you some free promo. ;) He’s right, too — people who live here but by some quirk of fate haven’t seen you perform or heard the amazing American Festival Chorus need to take care of that pronto. Love you!
LOL…My sweet brother. He’s so supportive. And SO ARE YOU! (Blush)
I loved seeing this! I sing too (not professionally; just my college choir and now my church choir and I WISH I had time to get into some community choir) and I love it when you have posts about that part of your life. Thanks! :)
Hey, I love doing community work a LOT. The spirit and good will and enthusiasm can’t be matched!
wow…. LOVED this post, thank you :)
xo
Thank-you for this post, super interesting and fun! I have never heard you sing, do you have a recording or video that you would share onto the blog? Purty puh-lease?
Yup. I do have a couple around here somewhere. Lemme look for them, though…
Dang. That Meers picture of me is HAWT. Thanks for sharing it with the world. Heh. :) Loves.
It’s true. You ruined me for every other actresses playing a faux Chinese hotel owner! I think we need to have tshirts made.
Ugh… this is one of those posts that makes me hurt… even though I’m happy for you, ya know?! I WORKED at the Eccles theater for nearly 4 years and have never sung on that stage. I listen to choral music (Concerts, Motab, youtube stuff, etc) and ACHE to be a part. I nearly chose to major in vocal performance and took a different route (for the same reasons you did eventually) and while I’m happy with the stability/interest my career as an SLP has always given me, my inner diva dying to show off in pretty dresses is whining. :) It’s OK. I’ve been telling the universe that I’ll get to sing in MoTab someday when the stars align, but until then, I’ll just be insanely jealous that you get to sing with the AFC and just plain bitter that there is no comparable equivalent here in Utah County… which is dumb, by the way! Anywhoo… thanks for the fun post!
Hey, coz. I totally get it. I really and truly do. I went a good 5-years after Matthew where I didn’t even listen to music and I missed it horribly. You have a lovely voice and I really hope that more opportunity to use it comes your way! xoxoxo
One of my favorite cd’s is “Sing me to Heaven” by a USU choir fromthe early 90s. Beautiful!
I want to wear the feathery dress! Thanks for the insight.