I had been practicing "Come Unto Him" from Handel's Messiah all week. It was not perfect, but did not sound too bad. I was actually taught this song by Joyce Williford about 40 years ago for a tryout piece for voice scholarships which I was offered from the University of Southern Mississippi and Delta State. I have been singing it periodically for all these years.
Age and illness have caught up with me and this song is simply not reliable enough to keep in the repertoire. The actual performance today came off reasonably well, but the practice was awful! I cracked notes right and left. I was afraid that I was going to humiliate myself in front of the congregation. The heat was a factor (our church does not have AC), but in my heart, I know it is time to let it go.
It is my hope that I will be wise enough to recognize when something is no longer pleasing to the ear and adjust accordingly. I want grow old vocally with a degree of grace and dignity.
And, hopefully, I will know when to hush for good.
2 comments:
I'm sure it was still gorgeous! Hang in there. Maybe you are just having a bad week or two. It has happened to me. Or maybe a technique adjustment can fix things. I think you are still way too young to give up the high notes!
I hope you keep doing this thing that you obviously love so much. I'll bet your singing was beautiful. Often we are our own worst critics.
Unrelated to your post - I retired in January and it's given me time to catch up on all the reading that I never made time for. The cards that you send Marilyn have become my favorite bookmarks. This morning, I opened my current book, and smiled when I was greeted by a picture of your angel artwork and the message "Love one another."
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