It's all out there!

We just finished two weeks of really hard work in the Live Arts Family. We felt it important to honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in the same way that we honored it 9 years ago - with a performance of the Mozart Requiem. We did two performances of that piece on 9/11/11. It was very hard work but, I'm alive and can sing - I sang for those who cannot sing, talk or hold their loved ones ever again. The next day I began production week for HMS Pinafore - every night of the week. I was staged as a "sister, cousin, or aunt" and also in charge of making the stage look as the stage director liked for it to look . We had a fantastic cast and it was a joy working with them.
It's always the details that keep me shaking my head. For example - sign-in sheets. . every rehearsal - every performance - they have to be there; there are the problems in the chorus - including two smelly, literally, members that I will have to address head-on. I do get tired of the minutiae but its my job to deal with that. That way, the conductor does not have to cope with that. Everyone's problems are huge to them. . but imagine if they all individually dumped them on one person.
My voice is shot. . it's tired and I'm not sure that the change in the weather hasn't brought on a bit of a sinus thing.
I have put it all out there. Honestly, the last two weeks when other people were lamenting having to be at a rehearsal on time - they have no idea what I do before they even show up to make that experience the best it can be. All I ever hear is the complaints. Sometimes I have to stop myself. . .yes, traffic was terrible but how about traffice was terrible for me too, I had a meeting until 5:30 have been at work since 7:30 and, oh yes, I find the time to make sign in sheets, make sure the room is set up for your comfort, send emails, coordinate lists of who is where and who isn't. . . .
People are unappreciative. They really don't have any idea. And, honestly, you really cannot expect them to care. It is very rare that you find someone who will say, "Hey, I don't know how you do all of this - and do it well." Because, I feel like I do it well. I can always do it better. I shake my head. . .the most recent headshaking event. . not ONE soprano came forward to volunteer to be section leader. So, an alto is going to do it. I refuse to beg them to take on the responsibility that its obvious would overwhelm them - or, let's be honest - they just don't want to do.
It's okay. . I realize that people have other issues and that no one knows the battle others are fighting.
Turn about is fair play - no one knows my battle or the conductor's battle or the general manager's battle or the marketing director's battle. . no one. But we are "public property" and don't get the luxury of frustration.
So - now I've blogged it. .and it's gone. And, tomorrow, I'll put it all out there again.

Sing more than you do!

On loosing things. .. Hard to believe I haven't blogged on this site in almost 2 years. Maybe the Sound of Music was too much :) Anyway, I've lost track of time [here is the theme of the day]; I'm losing weight again; I've lost friends to death; I've lost my focus at work; I've lost free time as the responsibility load as a volunteer chorister/chorale manager has escalated. . . some are necessary and welcome losses. Losing things is not what I do. As a matter of fact, I'm the one who organizes things. I wish people knew how much of a facade that is. It causes me to chuckle when people say, "Oh, but you're so organized". I'm just lucky. I'm in the middle of organizing the second Live Arts Maryland Gala that I've "co-chaired". I say that with my tongue firmly in cheek because it sure feels like I've "Chair-chaired". That's another blog for another day. I've lost hair, nails, time, energy, sanity and everything else trying to insure that the people who I care the most about - the Live Arts Maryland Choristers - will have a chorus to sing with in the future. It should be great though. Last year I think I netted @ $7500 which is piffle in my book. I would certainly like to net more like $10000 this year. Just recently accepted the donation of a Grand Piano - I hope someone bids on it. With that, I just might be over the top. And then I lose my heart when I realize that $10000 can be spent by this organization in less than a month. It's hard to keep plugging. Most of the choristers have no idea how much time and energy it takes to raise the kind of money we need to stay afloat. Very few of them do anything except criticize decisions - which, by the way, have kept them singing though a recession when other groups were closing doors. But I digress - I lose focus. I'm going to lose my blog apathy and start blogging again. I think its good for me to get it out of my system and get things on "paper". It helps me to think. So look for more as I get back into the swing. I certainly should start with new chorister. . well, new to this blog. . .who is another wing nut. I wonder, do other Chorales have wingnuts in them too? I'll blog more about her and the Gala as I go. Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck. PJeever