Every person on the planet has a set of defining characteristics. Whether we consciously articulate it or not, I think you and I both have a list of things that we take for granted about ourselves; things that we assume we can’t change because they are just a part of us.
My own list of these kind of characteristics has defined me for as long as I can remember. I am a redhead. I am creative and I procrastinate and I like to follow rules and be right. I loathe spiders. These are some of the things that make me me.
Also on this list, for as long as I can remember, has been the fact that I cannot sing. I still remember the patience with which my father tried to to teach me a song I had to sing for a play I was in—and my sad realization that it was not going to work out. I still remember my aunt telling me how her voice teacher in high school had dismissed her with the horrifying edict, “You just don’t have the pipes. Maybe you should join a choir.”
Through my entire childhood and adolescence, I assumed that I, also, did not “have the pipes.” I loved to sing on Sunday morning with the rest of our church and belt out songs when nobody else was in the house, but I still believed that I “couldn’t sing.” Of course I couldn’t. That was just part of being Erin.
So I was as surprised as anyone else when I decided to join the Gutenberg College “A Cappella Gospel Choir” that began practicing at the beginning of winter term. It probably had something to do with the fact that the flyer advertising the choir proudly proclaimed “No skill necessary!”
But a funny thing happened as the choir began to practice—I didn’t find out that I secretly have an operatically strong voice (because I don’t), but I did discover that I have a voice… I discovered that I could match a pitch successfully, that I could carry a tune, that I had a range and a name (soprano!)—in short, I discovered that I could sing.
And so it was with deep satisfaction that I stood in front of the gathered crowd with my choir last night at the annual Gutenberg College Student Art Show. I was not the strongest voice, or even close, but I sang my heart out. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself there. Life never ceases to surprise me.
March 11th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
You guys were AWESOME. Also in church this morning. What a great sound. I’d like to book you at my parents’ church for a future engagement.
March 11th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
awesome, awesome!
I still remember, rather clearly, when my 3rd/4th grade music teacher told my teacher, in front of me, that I couldn’t sing. I’m still trying to shake that memory off!
i’m glad you had the courage to join the choir!
March 12th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Sweet. That’s exciting!
Singing is a lot of fun isn’t it?
And in other news… 12:45, (who’s time?) the Bloggies are announced!
March 13th, 2007 at 10:39 am
I just thought there was hope for me… maybe I also had a hidden singing voice.
But I just belted out a bit of Mr Brightside and it was really bad. I guess some of us don’t stand a chance.
March 13th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Sing like nobody’s listening…
You, too, Ryan.
March 14th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
you’re a late music bloomer like a lot of people in the world–me included!
March 17th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Well, to be frank, you’re no Billy Joel. Though, I do have good news, you’re not Cher ((oohh BURN) to Cher, that is). You’re more of a female version of Maynard James Kennan. Which I think is totally bitchin’. (Wow, I have virtually said two different forms of “bitch” to you in not even five minutes.)
~L
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Wow. That is really interesting. I have been thinking about that singing class just recently and in spite of the fact that I didn’t walk out of that class the singer I hoped to be I really loved doing it anyway. I am pondering the notion that you can “grow” pipes now. I talked with an opera singer who said she couldn’t sing but had a teacher that helped her to find her voice. She said it can be done. It gives a little voice hope. :0)
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:05 pm
In 1985, a retired German missionary couple, well into their 80’s, assured me, who was always referred to as “hopelessly tone-deaf” that “Anyone can learn to sing. Singing is learned.”
I have found it to be so, and am so pleased that you have found this truth as well. Sing, sweetie! Sing!