May 21, 2007

• What Do I Do Now?

  EDIT ADD:
  I thought this was highly appropriate:
  
  

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  First off–a huge thank you to all of you that came down and supported me by watching the Gala dress rehearsal. I was blessed to have so many of you there, and it was really sweet of you to come! THANK YOU!
  Honestly, I can’t say thanks enough. I don’t even know how to express it–and usually it’s not enough when I do–so just know that it meant a lot to have you there!

  Secondly–the show itself was amazing. I really had the best seat in the house because I got to hear everything. The orchestra played amazingly, and the singers sounded like they had a lot of energy (although I really couldn’t see them, and only heard them slightly). The only thing that wasn’t spot-on perfect was the sound. Sometimes the microphones didn’t quite get on in time, and the balance in the house had far too much piano and vocals and not quite enough of the rest of the orchestra–but that’s only my opinion, and I didn’t get out in the house to hear stuff as much as I should have.
  That said-the event coordinator was incredibly happy with me, and said it was the best event they’ve had yet (this is the fifth year). So that’s good…

  All that aside, this is definitely the largest event I’ve been musically responsible for in my professional career. It was a blessing from God that it went as smashingly as it did. If any of you had a question about what the term “Commercial Music” means–that was it. That was exactly it.

  I had a Deja Vu moment while I was conducting the show. Ten years ago, I took on the role of music director/conductor for an Easter musical at my church. I was seventeen years old–ambitious, passionate, prayerful, and it didn’t hurt that our church had done that musical 3 or 4 times before and I basically had it memorized (and LOVED it). I did a miserable job in choir rehearsals, since I basically just spent the whole time pounding out parts (poor choir), but we DID have a small orchestra for the show. I vividly remember conducting the song “A Promise is a Promise”. The beginning of it had some simple chords and beautiful string parts. As I was conducting one of the performances, I thought to myself “Yes. I could do THIS for the rest of my life…” It was such bliss.
  As I was conducting the GALA orchestra on Friday or Saturday, I remember feeling that exact same thing–10 years later. Only this time, the feeling was compounded by the fact that I wrote the music. However–it brought me right back to that time and place, and reinforced that feeling. Wow. I love conducting…

  Well. I did relax a little bit yesterday, and we even got away to take our kids to see Shrek the Third. It was good–I had a hard time focusing because the theatre was packed with little ones (what you get for going on a Sunday afternoon) and they were loud. Not to mention this one lady that walked in front of me to get in and out of our aisle about 20 times (no exaggeration). I couldn’t hear very well–it wasn’t at regular movie theatre loudness–so that was annoying. But that aside–NOAH actually sat through the WHOLE THING. This, my friends, is a miracle. The last time we tried to take Noah to the theatre was for Curious George–and he couldn’t do it. Anywho-it is a miracle that Noah hung out and didn’t fuss. What a blessing!

  Kids, it just goes to show, you can do anything with enough popcorn and juice.

  • 10:18 am
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