Thank you for the thoughts, wishes, and prayers.
For those of you who have read my past articles, you know that last week I auditioned for a solo in our local performance of Handel's Messiah. Last night the director announced the soloists............................and I got it!!! I had auditioned for three different solo parts, and was actually picked for the most difficult one. I was surprised and very excited. Floating on cloud nine all the way home from rehearsal, and I would have been singing for hours if my hubby hadn't had to be up at 3:30 this morning. I kept him up too late as it was, since I dragged him to rehearsal with me.
After the initial shockwave of disbelief and elation, I started thinking. I've been singing and playing, performing in public since I was two years old. But this is the first time I've sung a solo (outside of church) in over five years. This will be the largest audience I've sung a solo in front of since I was in high school. And it is by far the most challenging (and highest) piece I've ever performed in public.
Then I remembered.....................similar to the opera role I performed in college, my solo part lasts all of 2 minutes, if that. I'm still nervous, and trying to stay away from caffeine and anything else that will strain my vocal chords for the next week.
If anyone is in the area and interested in the performance, it will be Sunday Dec. 5th at 3pm in Howze Auditorium on Fort Hood. The choir has around 150 members from all over the area, several who are local music teachers, professional musicians, and students. There will be a professional orchestra playing as well. I would love to have people I know (whether by screen name or real name) in the audience. SPC Nobody Special will be in the choir as well, as long as his schedule doesn't change again...........
The second thing I'm excited about is school. I've been doing some more research, and I think I've finally figured out where to take the classes I need to finish my degree. Now I just have to figure out how to pay for it, as most of the classes will be online and do not qualify for most traditional financial aid such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. I am only lacking 23 hours, so there is a very real chance I can have my degree finished by the summer and be teaching full time next fall. NO MORE PIZZA DELIVERY!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that will make both SPC Nbs and our vehicles happy.......................
If anyone has info or ideas as far as non-traditional financial aid for college, please let me know.
To all of you who were sending good thoughts, wishes, and/or prayers my way for the audition, Thank You!!! If you don't mind too much, keep them coming for the performance, too...............and school.