I’m ashamed to say this but today was the first time I became aware of what other sections were actually singing in that song. I felt today’s small group practice was very productive, it made me much more sensitive to everyone else’s parts. Unfortunately we waited until now to do this. I can say I know my stuff but I am not certain that I can sing every note pitch perfect throughout the song. It’s not something that comes easily through singing over and over again within the section because of the complex chords and the multiple parts. While our problem with the other pieces is putting in the finishing touches and dynamics and emotion, with this piece we’re struggling with notes — I’m still stressed about singing the correct notes. Totally not enjoying this song at all. I think now I’m going to try and familiarise myself with other sections’ lines as well. I thought I was trying my hardest but apparently it’s not enough.

I have the memory of an 80 year old Alzheimers’ patient. While watching the encore telecast of the Golden Globes, I’ve been singing this dastard song during every commercial break, plus trying to remember when to sit, stand, walk, look right…still can’t get it perfectly right. And this is supposed to be the easiest.

I’ve been feeling guilty that I’m not right on top of all my songs, plus a quick look at my calendar last night made me realize we only have three proper practices left. So i’m going to try and focus on one song everyday throughout the day — on my commutes, at work, after work etc..

I’m expecting everyone to turn up from now on since it’s the final lap and we can work towards tackling all the details. It’s not enough to just be familiar, we have to know our music inside out. When that’s in place, we can finally start to enjoy the music and really think about what we’re singing. To reach a stage where our focus automatically switches every time we sing a different song and we know instinctively what that song requires in terms of mood, tone and emotion. No song is easy, everyone has its individual nuances. The challenge is also to make the familiar pieces special to the audience, like it’s the very first time they’re listening to them. I can go on youtube right now and find various versions of most of the songs we’re singing. But any choir can sing them. How can we make them different?

We have such a reputation to keep up it’s scary. Imagine going to a foreign land to sing in a 2500 capacity concert hall only to come up short. It’s not just about our performance that one night. This is a measure of who and what we are. For so many years we have worked toward some kind of recognition from the mainstream and from audiences at home and abroad. And this project I think is a culmination of all that hard work we’ve managed to achieve through the years, building on our last successful competition. How many local choirs have had the same opportunity we have now? The amount of grant money we’ve been awarded alone is testament to how much of an impression we’ve made.

I think we can do it, we just need to realize what’s at stake and put in the extra effort.

Youtubing various things and I listened to this and liked it.