Sing With Courage and Honor

Every week, when I enter Clear Falls High School, I walk by a quote by Aristotle:

"You will never do anything in this world without courage.  It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor."

What does this have to do with singing, besides confronting stage anxiety?  Plenty.

The reality of being a professional or amateur singer is that everyone is a critic.  Everyone (and I do mean EVERYONE) has a better idea on how you should sing, act, look etc...And because you are a singer, people will not hold back.  Have you ever heard a person complain about a tuba player?  Nope.  Singers?  Absolutely!

Here is where courage and honor come into a singers' life.  Singing actors have to have the courage to make choices musically and not worry about the criticism that may come after.  There is nothing more boring than a singer who does not take a risk in how they interpret the music or a role.  So instead of worrying about criticism, which will come regardless of how good you are, have the courage to take that risk and be noticed.  It doesn't matter how many people think you made the wrong choice; what matters are the people who think you made the RIGHT choice.  Those people are the people paying your bills, seeing your performances, and helping you achieve a career in music.

Honor is the extension of courage over time. Once you make your choice as a singer, STICK WITH IT!  That doesn't mean you do not accept valid criticism or change over time.  However, it does mean you listen to the critic's that matter: the people who already love your work and want you to succeed!  Those peoples' opinions matter more, because again, their appreciation for your singing is what pays your bills as a professional singer!

Finally, I just want to say how happy I am to be back at teaching.  I know Houston is still recovering from the Hurricane, but it sure is wonderful to have an element of normalcy with the schools open and music lessons resuming. 

DWS