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?

HERE YOU GO.

(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…

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*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.