I own a piece of the "Rach"

Bad pun. . . but it is close to describing how I feel.
Last night, right before we went on, my friend Diana and I looked at each other and decided then and there this piece was 'going down'! We high-fived and set our goals to making it work. And guess what - it worked.

I was determined to stay up on the pitch regardless of whatever I heard around me. When the piece starte I stayed high. When the piece continued - I stayed high. I refused to be led astray. I spent most of the evening on my toes working my )(&^(^*% off. But you know what? It wasn't just me. . . .I think there were about 30 other people determined to make it work. And it worked.

Was it perfect? Absolutely not. I've not sung a program yet that was perfect. Here's the question: does it matter if it wasn't perfect? And the answer to that is: No, it does not. Not only does it not matter - it matters so little as to be insignificant. If perfection is the goal for which we all strive (as it is) then we are all going to strive for a lifetime. However, was it music that the audience appreciated and was worthy of performing - yes.

My personal experience was that this was the hardest I've ever had to work on a stage in forever. I LOVE IT. Boy, do I love it when I have to stretch and grow as a musician. Sometimes we all get jaded and rest on our laurels. This showed me that there is passion to find and other hills to still conquer. It amazes me that after 40+ years of singing with choral groups that there are still pieces which demand every ounce of musicianship I have - and then more. I did not hit a homerun on this piece. I made mistakes right and left. BUT, I had a blast!

I hope we continue stretching. I hope we continue to have pieces like this that take every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears I have. If we do not get pieces like this to pull us out of shape and twist us into new ways of thinking then we are dead in the water. What would it be like if everything were attainable without effort? Boring is the answer. I was not bored. I was exhilirated. . . .and tired.

So, I'm very content with the performance. Don't care what anyone else thinks. Don't care if the critics liked it. I was happy. And, if I brought all I had and left it on the stage then that is all I can do. I hope everyone had the same experience!

Let's do it again !