#8

I received a phone call from the director of the Michael O'Neal singers inviting me to audition for the chamber group (paid.) <- I heard it wasn't much, but that's OK right now.

So, tomorrow, I get to audition twice! Sweetness. And, I really believe at least one thing is going to work out.

#7 Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain has a big production for Christmas and they need performers for this sort of thing. They have auditions Sunday and Monday for singers/dancers/actresses. My slot is Monday at 12:00 noon.

On the website they say they need:

- a cappella quartets to stroll around and sing carols,

- singers for two shows

- actors/actresses

- and they need one person comfortable with flying to be the "Snow Queen." <- that's what I want to be!

You can see all of these roles in the video on this page:

http://festivals.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=42

I have been asking expectantly for a paid job performing by Sep 1. I feel chances are good for this one b/c they want a large time commitment, as does everyone in this season, so I'm thinking there will be less competition. And, I've been sharpening my skills.

update

Hello all,

in the time since the last post, many things have happened.

I received an email saying I was too young for the 30 year old singer part, and another girl had "the look" they wanted for the younger one.

I got to go to NYC and that was absolutely amazing! Everyone there is cultured, this is either because or the reason there is a concert EVERYWHERE you turn, and there is a French cultural center in Manhattan. Really! A building just for people who speak French! (and are French too, but minor details ;)

And, I got to see the Lion King. Aaahhh, that was inspiring! I left desiring to sing out. Really sing out! You would think that this would be a result of the show (which was in fact as fabulous as you have heard), but actually, I had to wait in the stand by line for 30 minutes before the show (yes, it was sold out!) (Yes, I did get in!) As I was waiting, I got to see the "trailer" for the show 20 + times without sound. Without the auditory experience/distraction, I was able to see what it feels like to really sing freely.

And, I got to watch a producer work on a composition. This was inspiring in a different way. I had asked him questions about genres etc. when I met him in Savannah. His answer was that you have to let the music be what it is, and just do what you enjoy. He apologized for not having more concrete answers. But, really that was freeing. He wouldn't shape any part of my career, I have to choose what I want and what to call it. It was great to watch him compose with this mindset. He had a feeling of the song he wanted, then he tinkered for something like 15 seconds, and got a piano sound he wanted and then recorded a 5 minute track. Then, he tinkered for another 15 seconds, got a sound he liked and recorded what sounded like guitar over the piano bit. Then he added the strings he wanted. All of this just flowed from him and it sounded good. This method of composition is in stark contrast to what I have used. It is just so free. I think that's how all the arts are supposed to be.

And, I got to go to see the church written about in Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Chances are high that you have heard me reference this book more than once. I LOVE it! Small piece of background: this church existed over 20 years ago as a struggling congregation. One sunday a pew broke beneath some members. Can you imagine that happening! There were non-physical problems as well. So on a vacay, the pastor kind of heard God say that if they would pray, God would show up, their church would never lack members, and they would make a difference in NYC. The name of the church? Brooklyn Tabernacle. Not only have they been a beacon of love and light for homeless etc. but they have a choir that has won grammy awards. I got to feel the music while I was there. That's what it was--a feeling. Everyone around me was singing their heart out, and some people were not on pitch, but the combined sound was beautiful. Inspiration flavor three, perhaps the strongest.

So it was a wonderful trip Lindi and I scheduled back in May. At that time, I assumed there would be auditions, b/c things are ALWAYS popping up. But, I got there, and found out that it is cultural for everyone to leave NYC the second week of August for vacation. So I came back without auditioning, but very inspired. I've been really blessed to be able to travel so much in my few years this far. All of the experiences of other cultures have set me up to know that I really, truly, love NYC. Though it's an amazing place, Atlanta calls me with a stronger voice.

wait, not that?

Hello everyone, I spent most of last night watching Vivian Leigh in Gone with the wind to get my southern accent in a good place for tomorrow.

This afternoon, I drove to Roswell to audition for the Michel O'Neal singers. It was a LOVELY experience! He had exercises I had never seen before to test my volume control, and he used the typical "my country 'tis of thee" to tell what voice type I am, but he tested that in different keys. He thinks I'm a second soprano. He's the first to think that. I got to sight read some beautiful stuff, then we talked over what type of music they would be singing next year and he said that the official letters of acceptance wouldn't go out until the middle of next week, but he was certain he wanted me in the group. Then he put a little plug saying that this would be a great place for me right now b/c I'm just out of college and need to continue training my voice and he focuses on that more than most conductors. He's right. I do want to sing for people who know how to nurture voices, and he seemed like such a person.

This is a community choir, but there is a small group of singers that get to travel and sing and they get a small amount of money. Just imagine, traveling and singing! Yeay!

I didn't commit to that though b/c I didn't know about this musical audition. He half heartedly wished me luck and I drove through Atl to get to the theatre. Surprisingly, the traffic flowed the whole time, I looked at the cars practically parked going north and contemplated if the lack of traffic going south due to the small number of people made it worth staying there w/ less culture. I decided I prefer culture and therefore traffic.

After meeting up with my friend, I headed over the the theatre. When I got there, everyone was reading over scripts rather furiously they had been given more lines than I had. Right after I made that observation, the director spotted me and came over to shake my hand and ask if I could go sing some more for him and the musical director. He wanted to know how high I can belt. I don't know how high I can belt b/c I blend it so I'm not sure where someone else would say "that's not belting" anyway, he had me sight read a sad waltz from the show (I LOVE waltzs!!!!) and then he asked if I knew the song "I'm a survivor" which I kind of did, so he played the chords and I sang what I knew of that. Throughout this second examanation, he let me know that he was a UGA grad in piano before he hit Broadway. After I learned that about him I REALLY wanted to work with him!

Then he decided he had heard enough and we walked back out to where every one else was, and he called them all back for reading. He didn't have me read the whiny wife, instead, I got to read the country singer wanna be. After the first time going through the lines, he said he didn't want anything like Scarlett O'Hara. Great! I spent the rest of the time trying to figure out how to sound "genuinely southern" this time with out a whine. After a few scenes he said he had heard enough from me and told me he would call me either way in a couple days. On my way out he said "go UGA."

So I left. I haven't wanted anything this much in 10 years. Really. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to be in a production put on by this person, and I like where it is, and it is near my church that I love being on the worship team at and I have people I can stay with. Everything seems Perfect! Except, well, I don't know what he has to consider because I was the only one reading for the role!

I texted a friend who does a lot of this sort of thing to see if that was code for "you didn't make it" or "yes, it's yours" and he said it just means that they were impressed and are seriously considering me. I don't care how much they consider me as long as I get to end up here!

I've spent all of my thoughts and all of my extra time since the audition begging God in proportion to how much I want this role. I keep thinking of the parable of the woman knocking, and knocking, and knocking, and knocking, and knocking, etc. until her neighbor comes out and gives her bread b/c she's getting annoying.

We shall see what happens.

Also, I'm grateful for this audition because I want to believe that "all things work out for the good of those that love him" but I haven't really been living like I believe it. So, coming from the same school as this director is a good thing. I did get connections from UGA after all. I wonder what else good is working out right now.

Blue Plate Special

This is the name of a production about a young (married) woman who wants to become a country singing star. It is being put on by a community theatre in Fairburn, the one that my grandparents donated the building to interestingly enough.

I got there much earlier than normal b/c I was going to pick up a friend from church in the area to hang out with me, but I ended up lost and at the theatre 30 minutes before, so she joined me there.

The producers etc. were still deciding how the audition was going to go, i.e. were the singers going to wear numbers.

After a few minutes, they let us sign up. I was third. After a very very short time, they called my name. Yeay! I got to confer w/ the accompanist before I entered the theatre which was was very helpful. My song (The Girl in 14 G) is a beast to play on the piano.

After the mini-conference we went in and Mr. I forget his name asked my song. Turns out he is quite familiar with it and enjoys it very much.

So I started singing, he motioned for me to step back after I had started. So I kept on singing while I repositioned. The pianist did indeed have trouble playing the complex chords w/ jazz rhythms and I started one of the notes a whole step up then kind of went down to the pitch it was supposed to be and continued with the song. I'm quite happy with the last note. That song is just so much fun and the ending fits so comfortably in my voice.

When I was done, Mr. I forget his name asked if I grew up in the south. I told him I did. He said "good" and there was an interesting pause. I think he thinks that everyone who is from here has an accent. The pause ended as he reached for a sheet of paper and asked if I would read for Ramona. She is a spoiled rotten young married woman whose mother had just given the advice that she needed to stick by her man.

I read it w/ the most projected southern accent I could muster. He said it was good, and asked if I could not emphasize the syllables so harshly, so I got to say the words again. After the second time he asked if I could be there at 7:00 tomorrow, I told him I could, and then I was dismissed. Before I made it out the door, he called me back to ask me to keep the fact that I had been called back on the down low. So I calmly walked out and that was the end of that. We shall see how tomorrow goes!

Meanwhile, I am determing what angle this spoiled southerner will have. I don't really want to while the whole time. I could just be a bit of a mule. We shall see.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love 'ya tomorrow!

Voices of Liberty

Audition # 5
Voices of Liberty

This was a Disney audition for a group of 8 singers SATB though I hear they have more than one "voices of liberty." Disney splits up the vocalists by gender. The guys started in the morning, we started at 1:00. When 100+ females are in a room waiting for an audition there just seems to be a lot of anxiety. After I arrived and put my makeup on and red dress I looked for someone to talk to who looked like they were enjoying the day most.

I found that person laughing with another woman. We three had a great time chatting. I don't know if I will see these people again, but I am glad I got to get to know them a bit.

At 3:00 they called my shift of 10 people from the general waiting room to another smaller area and we lined up out side the door. The girl in front of me was called back. I was not. Bummer. They all looked up and were quite curious how I would end my snip bit of song, but after I finished, that was it. No questions, no call back. Now that I think about it, breathing for dramatic emphasis, is NOT a way to convince a conductor that I would fit perfectly in an 8 voice group!

Ah well, next!

The Lyric :)

So Saturday, I got up REALLY early. I had to be up early to head to Kennasaw, but nerves got me up at 5:00. This made the drive there a bit difficult and I was wondering why exactly I picked Saturday at that time etc. These thoughts evaporated when I got to the site and excitement took over.

I was the 60th person there so I had some time to hang out. I wasn't expecting to know anyone there, but I saw Seth Davis, a friend from Clayton State. That was really cool. And there were a few faces that were familiar from the other auditions I have been to. People say that all the actors in Atlanta are friends with each other, and I can see how it is.

I really liked the general vibes of the event because they do callbacks for the individual shows later so no one felt rejected. There were a very few who felt dejected at the thought of how the singing went, but on the whole, everyone was enjoying the day.

I asked my new friends what the singing was like, and most said that they weren't given time to introduce themselves or their piece, and were kind of caught off guard. I decided I was going to catch them off guard. So, at 12:15, I went in, handed my music to the accompanist, told the tempo and looked up to see everyone still looking at my resume. Perfect. I said "HELLO" with a dip and raise in my voice. They looked up and I had their attention for the rest of my time in there. That's a good feeling. So I sang, then they said "so you've just finished school" I confirmed that. Then they asked how good my tap was. I told them I was working very hard to make it better and they said they appreciated the honesty. Then they said to be sure to take my tap shoes to the dance portion and I left. I don't know if they expected me to say more about myself or if they had more questions. I'm still getting a feel for this, but I'm REALLY pleased with how the singing went.

Then, after about an hour they called me and 11 other people up for the dance portion. They taught us 16 beats of a jazz/hip hop combo. It was FUN! I didn't pick up every step, but I had most of them, and I did the double spin with balance. After they were content that we knew it, they had us dance in groups of 4. When I was up the auditioner kept watching me dance. I think this is a good thing. As I turned away, he double checked what my number was. I think this is a good thing too. We shall see.

Then they dismissed those that weren't learning the tap portion. I stayed. It started with time steps. Something I haven't mastered yet from class. I had the general idea of the steps by the time they were done instructing, but that was all, and I was a bit clumsy about it. So we danced that and then they said we could leave. I am glad I did that though b/c the tap that they want me to know is TOTALLY within my reach and I am much more motivated to perfect the steps now that I know how they are used.

Then I headed out and drove to Fl for another audition.