although the colors of an Idaho fall are nothing compared to that in New York, i did manage to wander off the beaten path and find some color after all.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Overcoming my Jury.
at the end of every semester, it is necessary for every music major, be it instrumental, percussion, or vocal, has to go through what they call a jury. now, it's different for brass, woodwind, strings, vocal... etc. being a vocal, i was to partake of the great experience. i was required to learn, memorize, and stylize three different italian pieces throughout the semester, to later be performed for some of the music staff. today, was the day. i woke up a nervous wreck, went to basic musicianship, ran through my three songs in a practice room, then went to calm my nerves by talking to Jacob Fowkes, Emily Roberts, and Tyler Carlisle. then, jacob, emily and i went to music explorations. afterwhich, i came home to shower, re-apply make-up, blow-dry and straighten my hair, get dressed, grab three bottles of water, and head back to the snow. it was about 1:15pm when i met Charlotte Goga there. she stayed with me for the entire 2 hours and 24 minutes we had to practice before i went in for my jury. she encouraged me, gave me helpful advice, coached me, and most importantly was just there for me. it was a huge help. when the time came, i went down the Barrus Hall, where the juries were taking place. there was already a crowd of 155 vocal majors who both had already gone, or whom were waiting in anxious anticipation to simply get it over with. I had O Cessate Di Piagarmi, Nel Cor Piu Non Me Sento, and O Del Mio Dolce Ardor on my repitoire sheet. Erin McMahon went two slots before me... O Cessate was chosen for her... i was SO thankful. This was my worst song, the only one i did NOT want to be chosen for me to sing. she sounded wonderful and her bright smiling face greeted my nerves as she skipped out of the Barrus Hall. Next in line was Emily Roberts. Nel Cor Piu Non Me Sento was chosen for her. i was a little disappointed. that was the one i was really hoping for, but nontheless, O Del Mio Dolce Ardor was one of my best, and i was thankful i was left with that one and not O Cessate. the funny thing about this is that Emily, Erin, and I had completely different song lists.... they just both ironically had songs form mine on theirs... haha! well, the Lord blesses those who ask for comfort! they chose my best song, and i performed it to the best of my abilities at that moment. Sister Ashby simply smiled at me the entire time, Brother Kempton had a pleasant look about him, and Brother Olsen simply smiled at me as well. My Voice coach Erin, was also present, as was Charlotte who was my focal point. i looked at her the entire time, telling the stories of my songs to her as best as i could. when it was done, my piano player, Melissa Fitzen and i walked out. it was a HUGE sigh of relief. i felt sooooooooooooooo stress free and light. i had been so happy about anything since the day we picked up Max. i was soooo happy to know that my jury was over. now... we shall see if my performance was up to par. for now, i have a piano final, and a basic musicianship final, both of which i am extremely excited and well-prepared for. thursday is when it all ends... and i am so excited to spend my last three days here with the people i'll be sad to leave during the winter semester. :( and then saturday morning! erika and i shall make our way up to salt lake to begin our journey home to NY.... SO EXCITED!!!! (:
Karma
oh. my. lanta. i honestly am not sure how this semester was able to fly by as fast as it did. i'm glad and sad. go figure. all summer i did nothing but complain about coming out to Idaho, because i didn't want to leave my family, friends, school district, or pretty much the east coast in general. i remember talking with my dad and saying "i wish i could just stay home, i already know i'm going to hate it out there." he responded with "be careful what you say. you're now going to go out there and absolutely love it, just for saying that last sentence.... it's what we call karma." well... as usual, my daddy was right... and karma has come back to bite me in the butt. i've achieved new levels of mental, emotional, physical, and most importantly spiritual growth, that i thought were not possible. i've been able to cultivate my talents, up to a level that will be able to help build the kingdom of God. i've made the most amazing friendships with some of the most amazing people. their testimonies of music, and the gospel, have been able to stabilize my own testimony. they have all brought me laughter, company, encouragement, music, inspiration, good times, early mornings, late nights, study groups, movie nights, temple trips, pre-jury bonding sessions, and love. lots and lots of love. although i am SO SO SO excited to get on a plane and come home this saturday, i am devastated at the thought that i will not be seeing some of these people until april, and even more of them until next september. holy cow, that seems like an eternity. a truly amazing woman, Erin McMahon told me today, "Those who live the gospel understand that they will never see each other for the last time. "♥ ... how incredible is she? this has brought me the most comfort as i spend my last few days as a first semester pre-music major at BYU-Idaho. 
Two of the world's greatest FHE brothers. Damion and Carl.
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