What makes a difference in an hour.

Motivation. The people watching you. People who know you and have a defined opinion of you. Or don't. 

What am I talking about?

Singing in 2 different services at church last week. 

Getting up and practicing with the church accompanist at 7:45am is never my favorite thing. 

I can say with confidence that no singer likes getting up that early and having to sing at all. 

But I've always been okay with doing it at church. There I feel safe. There people know me and my story and are on my side. 

With a few exceptions. Then I say f.u. And sing my ass off. 

It does matter to me who is in the audience. I want to impress certain people, others make me feel good and I'm happy they're there. Then also I want to make a good impression for those who are new. 

Those who I know are not my biggest fan push me the most, though. It's like I have to prove that whatever they think they don't like about me, they're wrong. It's like I'm trying to say, "you know how fabulous I am and you're sorry about whatever went down between us. And now you can't do anything about it. Have a nice life." 

Is that so wrong? Shouldn't my biggest fans be the ones who push me to be my best? I say no. Those people will love and support me no matter how I sing. Those who don't will only critique me more harshly. So I just can't give them anything to bitch about. 

(I'm sorry for my language. This is just a touchy subject, if you hadn't noticed.)

So what motivates you?

Until next time,

sopranodivaEm

I digress...

Remember that one time that I said I'd write here everyday? Well. That didn't happen. 

Life happens ya know? Hardships come at you unexpectedly. They affect you for longer than anyone would like and no one can really give you an answer to when the nightmares (literally and figuratively) will end. I believe that there is a higher power that has a plan and a reason for everything happened when it does, and why it does. Not that anyone ever gets an insight or hints. That would just makes things too easy. You can say it isn't fair. You can ask in disbelief why bad things happen to good people. I'm not the chosen one with answers. I'm a human just like everyone else that has my own struggles. But these bad things can have silver linings or simply happen just to make you a better, stronger person. Whether this is not or true, I'm sticking to it. I wish I could remember these anecdotes all the time, but I don't. Emotions get in the way. As natural as it is, being emotional really sucks sometimes. It helps me deliver convincing performances, but my life isn't a performance. Maybe that's why I like theatrics so much. It gives me a chance to escape my reality for a bit. Gives me a break to refresh, recollect and reboot. Well those adjectives make me sound like a robot. I'm not. I promise. I'm just making my way thru my journey that is life, one day at a time. 

May the 4th be with you, in July

There is something about celebrating the 4th of July that always gets me excited about music. Sure there's the barbaraques, fireworks, cute red white and blue sales. But then there are always patriotice music filled concerts. I think some of the most beautiful music ever written is inspired by the patriotism to ones country. Even a simple tune like America the Beautiful is so moving when you add strings brass woodwind and fireworks along with the voice. So many slavery songs are moving that have come out from the Civil War.

 I've sung the Star-Spangled Banner at several sporting events my junior and senior year of high school. I absolutely loved doing it. I felt like I was giving the piece and my country the justice it deserves. I cringe any time I hear the "star spangled banner" sung with too many extra notes and straight tone. I'm pretty sure improv and such vocal techniques weren't acceptable at the time Francis Scott Key was inspired by a strong-standing American flag. So why our nation's anthem is sung that way now, I can't really tell you. I wish it weren't that way. Thanks to Ms. Fleming doing a phenomenal job at this year's Super Bowl, the public is beginning to realize that the anthem should always be sung that way. All opera singers/lovers nationally are rejoicing at this outcome. 

We're on the right path to bring the music we love back to the common people's attention. See ya, Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber and Miley Cyrus. You all had a nice run but it's time to step aside and retire your music. 

#operasnob #sorrynotsorry

Until next time,

sopranodivaem 💜