African Sanctus
Performed by Boundstone Community Chorus. Concert includes African Sanctus and a new composition for percussion called Monsoon by festival director Chris Gander. Soloist is Debbie Bridge with Adam Bushell and Tom Norrell on percussion
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Wednesday 29 April 2009
BUSKING – COVENT GARDEN STYLE THE ELUSIVE PART-TIME JOB
‘Busking!’, the title above alone may make most an opera singer turn their noses up and straight out of the room (for those of you who do not know what busking means - To play music or perform entertainment in a public place, usually while soliciting money. I believe they are missing out. I don’t know about the rest of you, but definitely, if you are female, soprano and classical in your singing orientation, consistent work which is within the genre, flexible and has the potential to pay well and is not teaching, well …. It’s hard to come by, but this suits me down to a tee. What better place to do it, than in Covent Garden, London – the heart of the West End.
In one of my earlier blogs, I was looking just for this and what great ways to keep my skills up if not improve them. There is nothing like working with the public and believe me I’ve done it, in various guises; tour guide, restaurant manager, popcorn seller, voice coach, Denny’s hostess – when they still had the polyester uniforms, toilet cleaner, etc…. Here I have found a real appreciation from the public, plus a few hecklers along the way. Still what better way to face any performing fears than in front of the general public? What a great opportunity to really see whether what is being done, as a performer is being communicated well.
I will say, it’s not for the faint hearted or, if you are faint hearted; be very willing to roll with the good and bad, know that what you may get in your basket isn’t always a reflection of how good or bad you are; as some crowds may be very attentive, but not so willing to part with their spare change.
You know, this blogg’n thing may actually work, putting it down on paper and out to the world, makes the mind work towards the goals which a person may wish to achieve – it works, if ya work it!
In one of my earlier blogs, I was looking just for this and what great ways to keep my skills up if not improve them. There is nothing like working with the public and believe me I’ve done it, in various guises; tour guide, restaurant manager, popcorn seller, voice coach, Denny’s hostess – when they still had the polyester uniforms, toilet cleaner, etc…. Here I have found a real appreciation from the public, plus a few hecklers along the way. Still what better way to face any performing fears than in front of the general public? What a great opportunity to really see whether what is being done, as a performer is being communicated well.
I will say, it’s not for the faint hearted or, if you are faint hearted; be very willing to roll with the good and bad, know that what you may get in your basket isn’t always a reflection of how good or bad you are; as some crowds may be very attentive, but not so willing to part with their spare change.
You know, this blogg’n thing may actually work, putting it down on paper and out to the world, makes the mind work towards the goals which a person may wish to achieve – it works, if ya work it!
Friday 23 January 2009
Muscle Memory
Recently I did an acting class at the Actors Centre in London and the teacher, Nikki Flacks, said memorising lines is just a muscular activity. In other words, everyone can do it, but the muscles need to be worked to get better. As most of my work has been memorising songs, which I find quite easy, as the tune seems to help me get it in my memory faster, plus often there is the added advantage of repeats, but the monologue is a bit more elusive for me. It could have something to do with the fact that at a very young age I was suppose to memorise the poem, 'Flanders Fields'. I remember I was very nervous and scared about doing it, as I was having great difficulties remembering it. One by one we were called to the front to say the poem, I was one of the first to be called - curses for having a last name which starts with a 'B'.
There I was, in front of the whole class, knees knocking, brain freezing and the kid before me made it look soooo easy! I think I remember saying something, but it came out all backwards and wrong. I was mortified and demoralised. I managed to shuffle back to my seat with my heart in my stomach. Only to find the next kid reciting it well, but then stumbled and do you know I knew what the line was - this didn't help console me, I still felt....stupid. It created a dislike and avoidance of poetry throughout my childhood and teens.
It was not until I went to college that I found the joy and beauty of poetry.
I am digressing, the point is from this one little incident as a child grew a life long fear of saying lines in front of a group of people. I have since learnt I am dyslexic, something which was not so understood when I was a kid, as it is today. Somehow I managed to get a degree and not be aware of my dyslexia.
Still I am left to face those childhood fears and I am ever so grateful to be reassured that it is a muscle like any other and I can just start to give it a good work out, so that it becomes like a song. Now I just need to find the old poetry book and dig out .....'In Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row,...'
There I was, in front of the whole class, knees knocking, brain freezing and the kid before me made it look soooo easy! I think I remember saying something, but it came out all backwards and wrong. I was mortified and demoralised. I managed to shuffle back to my seat with my heart in my stomach. Only to find the next kid reciting it well, but then stumbled and do you know I knew what the line was - this didn't help console me, I still felt....stupid. It created a dislike and avoidance of poetry throughout my childhood and teens.
It was not until I went to college that I found the joy and beauty of poetry.
I am digressing, the point is from this one little incident as a child grew a life long fear of saying lines in front of a group of people. I have since learnt I am dyslexic, something which was not so understood when I was a kid, as it is today. Somehow I managed to get a degree and not be aware of my dyslexia.
Still I am left to face those childhood fears and I am ever so grateful to be reassured that it is a muscle like any other and I can just start to give it a good work out, so that it becomes like a song. Now I just need to find the old poetry book and dig out .....'In Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row,...'
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