Take a deep breath, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Close your eyes. Open them. Smile at the friend who is trying very hard to make you nervous. "Nervous? Me? Never." Tap your violin quietly. Is it tuned properly
? Nod at the little beginners who stare at the "top" class in awe. Pretend you are very amazing and above it all. Walking down the hallway
. Backstage. Onstage. Smile, bow. Watch your group like a hawk, you don't want to come in late. Come in late anyway, continue on playing like nothing happened
. End on time. Perfect. Smile bow. Exit. Backstage. Come in to the auditorium though the side door and watch your seven year old sister welcome everyone to the Huntsville Youth Orchestra Spring concert. Applaud
before and louder than anyone else in the room so she knows how proud you are. Exit back through the side door before you are missed. Fall into line. Tell your friend that No! We are not going to epically fail. Get on stage. Sit there quietly and try not to shake your foot while waiting for your conductor
. Stand up. Sit down. Instrument
up. Instrument down; you don't come in yet. Come in now! Onto the next piece. Too slow. Oh well, no one noticed. Trade chairs. First chair. Smile. Tell your stand partner it's going to be okay. Violin up. Go! Brilliant! Stand up. Bow. Exit stage right. Take a deep breath, in though the nose, out through the mouth. It's over.
This is what concerts feel like to me. Not a lot of fuss. Straight to the point, just play and have some fun along the way. Don't stress over the fact you messed up many times. Just smile and wave, boys! Smile and wave!
(I made this desktop background for you. It probably will fit your screen just a terribly as it fits mine. That's ok. It has a pretty plant on it. Just right click and down load, if you wish :))
Do you guys play any instruments? We should get together and jam! :)
-Johanna
P.S I just finished watching Doctor Who season 1. Ohmygosh. Part of me just died, I think. I didn't want 9 to go away!
I have never done a concert before. Probably because I play the guitar ;) lol, but I have been hired to take pictures of one!
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Word. You will LOVE ten!! And cry your heart out when he leaves. Very loudly. Go outside and scream "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO DAVID TENNANT?! WHY????????"
:)
~Lily
lilycarolinephotography.blogspot.com
Season 2 just about broke my heart.... :'''''''''''(
DeleteHey! I stumbled upon your blog and I love it! You are such a amazing/fun writer!
ReplyDeleteI play the drums, guitar, and piano a little bit. I haven't been able to get lessons so I play by ear. I'm now just starting to learn the violin too! Violin has been my absolute favorite since I was little. It's so neat that you play it too!
As for Doctor Who...I want to see it really badly. I just have to find the time! Summer is coming! Thanks so much for blogging!
Hey Joanna! Violin is tricky in the beginning, but it'll get easier as time passes, or so I've heard! :) I've been playing for close to six years and goodness, it's difficult! :) Thanks for commenting! And yes, SUMMER!
DeleteI play piano and flute. And yes, we should get together an jam! My brother plays violin, and he and I always have a great time playing together. :)
ReplyDelete-Carl
Ah, now that would be awesome! Have a mutual bloggers band. Or, something like that anyway! :)
DeleteHi Grace! I just found your blog. You're so write! That's exactly what a concert feels like. I'm a violinist too. I'm competing in the NC concerto competition in a few weeks. Talk about nervous!! I'm following your blog via gfc.
ReplyDeletewww.raspberrycappuccino.com (stop by and say hi!!)
Wowow. Now, that is something! I've never competed, I seriously doubt I ever will- I really only play for pleasure! :) Good luck with it! And thanks for following!
DeleteP. S. Love, love, love the design!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLets see....I play piano and a little bit of guitar and Drums, but I would love to play the cello--eventually (and Lord willing), I will. :)
ReplyDelete