Themes: music and protest

Experiences #26 &27 Sing a solo, protest

   When I started the year, I thought of what challenges I would like to tackle. Singing an official solo was a biggie. Before I chickened out, I sent an e-mail to Jack, my choir director. I was thinking a one sentence solo as part of one of the songs we would present at a concert. This is the typical solo with the Arbutus singers. Well, Jack is this supper generous guy, sooooo he offered me a full solo with the song of my choice! Yikes! I had nightmares for about a week. Then came the task of finding which song to pick. Simon suggested Kate Bush-I love her music. We chose Army Dreamer. It is a beautiful, and short song. So for the next month I sang that song over and over. I was obsessed!
   My first attempt singing it with the men-my backup- was not so good. I was so scared I could hardly breathe let alone sing. Oddly enough the other "new experiences" such as the roller coaster and the day wearing an abaya stripped away some of my fears. I had 5 more opportunities to practise with the men. By the time the concert came this past week-end, I felt prepared and well, calm!
   I feel it went very well and I am satisfied with my performances. Two of them, in front of more than 400 people each time at the First Metropolitan Church.
   I am very thankful to Jack, Sylvia and Irene my directors, the men of Arbutus singers who looked upon me with such love and encouragement, and all the folks that came to see my performances. A special thanks to Simon who kept on saying that I could do it. How did he know?!

   My sister-in-law, Martine, challenged me to protest something. This song is my protest; it bemoans the loss of life during war. Such a waste.