Saturday, 10 March 2007

BULLSEYE!

After the kind of experience I had leading up to this recital, especially at my hearing, I didn't imagine that I'd have a recital that'd go as well as this one.

No, I wasn't ready last week. And although the recital hearing/the talk I shared with Dr. Richmond in his office afterwards wasn't exactly what I'd call "pleasant," I probably needed it. And I think it's teaching me that sometimes pressure and a figurative kick in the face is what it takes to get me to do something big or important well. And so came lots of work mentally and in the practice room over the weekend. Work that was exhausting, and that also was interrupted by the DeVos Showcase.

Then came Wednesday. Some things went well, some things had been fixed, and others still need polishing. Dr. Richmond stopped me in a couple of places and walked towards the stage. "Here it comes," I thought. I was prepared to be put through the meatgrinder again. But instead, I was informed that things had improved vastly, but that I needed to focus on some final things to be ready. "If you keep working and improving your music at the rate you have between your hearing and now, you'll be more than ready." Okay, so that's encouraging.

Thursday = dress rehearsal. So this was it. If I don't have things together then, I've got some real problems. We ran through the whole recital, practiced bows, coming on and off the stage, and all that fun stuff. And then I was told I was ready. I felt like I had finally hit the figurative target after missing for weeks and weeks. It's coming together.

It's Friday, and it's showtime at 6:00. I waited anxiously outside the door, ready to sing, and also extremely curious who my audience was. Robin pulls the door open, I walk out, the audience applauds, and I survey the group of people there watching me. It's pretty much what I expected. I found the parents, the big brother, my high school choir teacher, music majors, Bible Studs, and a few assorted other people I didn't know. Dance Marathon and the Symphonette trip definitely took a bite out of people that I would have liked to have seen. But that's fine with me, really. I'd have loved to have brought in a crowd, but a smaller group keeps it more intimate and less intimidating for me the new recitalist (is that the term?).

6:30 comes, and I've just finished "The Market-Girl." Final applause, final bows, and that's it. I'm done. For my money, the recital was a bullseye. It's wonderful to say hello to all my friends, thank them for coming, and some pictures with Lora, Dr. Richmond, and Ms. Sopha too.

I flirted with disaster last week. Dr. Richmond looked right at me and asked, "Tyler, can you do this? Are you up to it?" My answer now: "YES I CAN!"

God has been good to me. And I am incredibly grateful.