Why I Can't NOT Major in Music...

I know I always write stuff about school....it must seem that that's all there is to my life. Well it's not true; school is just very important to me....it's kind of a big deal.

I've had some internal arguments with myself lately with which path to take in life. It seems like there are so many opportunities laid out ahead of me. And in some cases just handed to me.

I've started to come to the conclusion lately that maybe I should just slow down and see where my life is already taking me. And it's pretty awesome :) I am the kind of person that never sees what is right in front of me because my focus is always on what's ahead.  It turns into a downfall when I become so wrapped up in where I am NOT, rather than recognizing how far I have really come.  I worry about stuff like that.

But lately, I'm beginning to see things differently, and I know now that I am in a good place, as well as headed in the right direction. Haha, I guess I'll let you in on what I am talking about......

Blah Blah Blah.....switching majors.....and re-auditioning for Schools of Music.....etc....

I was recently cast in the chorus of "Oklahoma!", which I am very excited about. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is with Moore OnStage, which is the closest thing to professional theatre around here (in other words, it is the biggest deal around here)....and it will be directed by Patrick Wickham (from Wickham Vocal Studio in New York City). It's a wonderful opportunity, and I am so excited to say now that I am a part of them. (And it's my first paid performance gig :)

Also, on Thursday night, I was watching "Survivor" with my family (our regular Thursday-night ritual) when I received a phone call from the music director of Moore OnStage's latest show, "Holiday in the Pines", informing me that one of their singers quit, and they wanted me to take the part. Of course I agreed!  So on Friday afternoon, I received the music, which consists solely of songs from the Celtic Woman's Christmas show. I have spent all weekend learning and memorizing the music.  Lucky for me (and for them, I suppose), I can learn and memorize music very easily and quickly....The show is this weekend!  And these aren't melodies...they're all harmonies, some dissonant. (Usually I'm a soprano, but I have an abnormally large range, so they're having me sing alto...which means all harmonies.) I am SOOO excited, because this is a paid gig too, which means this one will actually be my first official paid gig :)

Beside that, I have really taken a crunch time searching for new college audition pieces. During this endeavour, I have discovered through comparison of last year's recordings with ones from now, that the top of my range has stretched much more than I realized. The keys I struggled singing in last year are actually below the ones that are easy for me now. So that was a cool discovery.....that also gives me a larger pool of pieces to choose from. And I think I have them chosen: "Per la gloria d'adorarvi" by Bononcini and "Sure On This Shining Night" by Samuel Barber for one audition, and "Per la gloria d'adorarvi" (Bononcini), "Mein Herr" from "Cabernet", and "Angels Ever Bright and Fair" by Handel for another audition. I am so excited :)

Enough of my music high for now. I have to rest before hell week (of rehearsals) begins.

Buenos Noches, tout le monde!