just sent the application and I'm scared

[InLove]

Hi Scarlet--

I was trained for years as a classical pianist, but I have to admit that, even though I believe I can understand the difficulty of what you are doing (as well as the sheer joy), I probably don't know exactly how to discuss it. I believe I do know about coloratura. I will take a guess--does it have to do with style--with the subleties and bursts of energy and pure spirit?

Hope that question is not too silly. I am a mezzo soprano as well (okay, in my younger days--in fact, I could consistently even hit a high "C" without losing pitch) but I just do not have the diaphragm or lungs or whatever I need to belt things out like I would wish.

I am married to a musical genius, for real. He sings opera in the shower. He would never admit it, but if you heard him, you would know. He is always in demand--everyone needs him to either mix, back up, or co-write or produce everything and anything they want to do. He just says he is a "player." But, lawdy, can he play!

Well, just wanted to get back in touch with you, and let you know that we are lifting you up--maybe not as high as you can yourself, but singing in our spirits we are.

InPeace,
InLove

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I wish my piano skills were better - despite four years of lessons, I just can't seem to get my fingers to do what I want them to. Of course, practicing more frequently might help.

It's not a silly question at all - I guess that's one way to describe coloratura. It's the acrobatic stuff you find in Rossini and Donizetti, the stuff that Cecilia Bartoli is famous for. The Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute is the most famous example.

I am married to a musical genius, for real. He sings opera in the shower. He would never admit it, but if you heard him, you would know. He is always in demand--everyone needs him to either mix, back up, or co-write or produce everything and anything they want to do. He just says he is a "player." But, lawdy, can he play!

Wow, how cool. I have had to work so hard for every single thing I can do in terms of music - I really admire people for whom it comes easily.

I still haven't heard anything, and it's making me really antsy. They said at the time that I would hear something this week (the one that's just past), and a friend of mine who also auditioned got her rejection email Wednesday morning. Hopefully it's a good sign that I haven't heard anything, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much in case it's just that my rejection letter got lost in the mail or fell behind a filing cabinet or something. If I still haven't heard on Monday I'll call them.

I've been absent from the boards lately - I still lurk a bit - but it's just because that school opera production I mentioned earlier in this thread is taking up so much of my time. I haven't lost interest, but I probably won't be here much until July (I'll still post when I hear something from Amsterdam).

[InLove]

Scarlet--if you are lurking around tonight or in the near future--or even in the distance--

I was just wondering who might appreciate this--

"J.H." and I have been writing things together for a long time, and sometimes we even sing together. He has had a few days off this week, and we have managed to turn our back room into a makeshift recording studio.

I told you how good he is--well today, he asked me to come and help with the voices. He is a "one-take guy", but it takes a few times for me--I have to get into the spirit, and then I can soar--alas, I still feel like I sound so silly--but he says I sound beautiful.

Anyway--it doesn't matter too much what I sound like--he will mix me well.

I guess I just wanted to write something to you, because I know you are waiting for approval. Whether or not you get it from someone else is not the most important thing. What matters is your contribution--did you sing? I know you did--and I would lay money (if I had it) that you did, and always will do, well.

Whichever way things go, sing, child, sing.

InPeace,
(Lifting Prayer)
InLove

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Wow, InLove, thank you so much - that was beautiful. You always have something uplifting to say, and you always write it so beautifully.

I ended up calling Amsterdam - turned out they'd misread my email address, so I never got the rejection letter. I could have called again to get the jury's feedback, but my teacher advised against it, and I think she's right - I feel good about how I did, I know myself what didn't go so well, and if someone doesn't like my singing, they don't like my singing - why should I depress myself with the details?

My partner said she'd rather live in a foreign country anyway - in Amsterdam she'd always be seen as the "dumb hick Limburger" and elsewhere she'd just be Dutch.

The school opera's going well, though, and I'll just keep working so that when I audition for other programs next year my presentation will be that much better.

Thanks again, everyone, for all your supportive words and thoughts.

[I, Brian]

Hey, no worries - doors close, others open.