Yesterday, Tuesday, it was to be the U3A summer concert and although we were all well prepared, for we had been rehearsing for weeks, and although I have been with the choir now for about 4 years, the nerves still kicked in. For the people watching the singing performance, they probably do not know what goes on behind the scenes and why should they but, if you will indulge me, I would like to share with you some of the things that happen to make the whole show a wonderful event. Our Conductor, and his lovely wife, was on site before 10 a.m. doing all manner of things; setting up the electric piano being but one. I had arrange to be on site at 10a.m. to help some other choir members set up the stage for it was to be tiered so that the audience had a better view but also to make sure that each individual voice was projected forward. One and a half hours later, myself and three other men-the three regular men to undertake to erect the stage platform interlocking system-had the whole thing assembled under the watchful and helpful eye of our Conductor who helped work out the maths for the amount of chairs that were to be assembled on our now new ‘platformed’ stage. If we had erected too many chairs, on the platform, it would have given the impression that many of the singers had not bothered to turn up. Two few chairs and some of the singers would have had to stand up throughout the whole of the performance. I had prepared my uniform, before setting out to give a hand with the stage, you know, the usual thing like buffing up my shoes in five brush stages until I could see my face through the leather, making sure there were no creases in my pressed black trousers, cheekily asking my dear wife if she would iron my white shirt and making sure I had my music the proper running order for the performance. Before going to my volunteer ‘stage hand’ work, I put everything out ready to make a quick change when I went home. Once home, there was just time to have a quick sandwich, something light so that it would not interfere when the diaphragmatic breathing took place for the long notes, a cup of tea and then out again, so that we were early to the performance making sure we were on site before some of the audience came. Some audience members could only attend by travelling on the bus and we all know how difficult that can be at times. My wife went with me and we were hoping, this year, that her brother and sister-in-law would be attending the concert. Unfortunately, due to having a virus-like one I had a few weeks ago that took me three weeks to ‘shake off-’my lovely in-laws were unable to attend. I know they would be disappointed but that is how it turns out sometimes. To my surprise, in the audience, there were a few old friends and one of them, who used to be a choir member but who is now living outside the area I live, had come a long way to hear us sing. This man was the man I first saw when I nervously went and had my singing quality appraisal. At that point, for I had not sung for years, I did not know if I was a Baritone or a Bass voice; it was established that I was a Baritone but would best be suited with the Bass singers. The time came to go on stage and I, now an automatic reaction with me, went into my on stage performance persona. Has it happens, I really enjoy the occasions but I believe it helps the audience to enjoy the concert if the performers are enjoying it too so no serious face for me now. That said, I do not know how I would perform if I was to sing a solo. The first half of the show, although lengthy on this occasion, came and went with the blink of an eye and the audience rose to the occasion with raptures applause. I did not think I was able to give my usual performance due to having missed three rehearsals; two to illness and one having a wonderful holiday. Never the less, as a unit of singers, we were able to produce a remarkable sound again. When we broke for tea, in the interval, my singing friend came down into the practice room to have a word with us and to speak to me to tell me he had taken particular note of me and was pleased to see that I now had lots of on stage confidence. It’s a bluff really for I am now able to hide the nerves better. My friend, a truly wonderful all round person and married to an equally wonderful lady, came to me to complement me on my singing. Before going back on stage, the two of us we able to exchange phone numbers because, if I can, I genuinely would like to repay this man for all the kindness he showed to me in the early stages of learning to sing properly instead of just singing in an uncontrolled way. Eventually, much too quickly for many of us, the show came to an end and the audience showed their appreciation with an applause that resounded round the acoustics of the church we were singing in. The presentation of flowers followed and an articulate lady, who is a U3A member, stood up, if you will pardon the pun, to sing our praises telling the audience how talented we all were. By the time the lady had finished, I do not know how I managed to get my big head through the doors, just joking. Later, while helping to dismantle the stage again, this time with lots of helpers, the task soon brought me ‘down to earth’ but, with the songs still resounding in my head, it was to be about 1.30 a.m. before the excitement, of the day, left me so that I could go to sleep. The next morning, today Wednesday, I was feeling very tired but tired for all the right reasons and tired in a nice way and not in a stressed way. By for now, John.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:01:59 +0000
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