This week I attended the choral academy put on by Ronald Staheli and Rosalind Hall, the two head conducting professors! It's funny because my previous post talks about my Arizona friend who happens to be my choral inspiration! She got her undergraduate in choral conducing at BYU. Her conducting was so beautiful and so precise and that's what inspired me! Anyway... when I got to the academy Tuesday morning I slipped into the room where Ron & Ros were getting ready and introduced myself. Of course, I threw Jen's name around and of course they absolutely LOVE her, so they loved me too, by association!
Chase let me use his totally awesome Cars lunch box, and I wore my BYU jersey the first day, just to declare my loyalty!
The academy was AMAZING! Each year their focus is different so I really look forward to going in years to come... until I achieve my ultimate fantasy and move back to Provo and earn my degree! This year's focus was on the actual conducting art. We also studied score analysis. It's bizarre how cool analysis is!
The week was so intense that by the time I got home to Crystal's house I went straight to bed!
Therefore, I had to wake up early to do my homework.
Chase got up with me and did some homework, too!
It was so fun! Every time I'd get in the van Callie would start to cry. We guessed that she thought Crystal was picking up the babysitter or something.
One morning Chase caught me studying in my closet. I didn't want to wake anyone up.
Thursday night we were bused up to Temple Square and I got to sit with the 1st Sopranos of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Ah ha! That's right! They rehearsed in the Conference Center and I was right up in the corner with the firsts! I felt like I was a mile away from the director!
I sat next to Ellaine and Karen. They were very friendly and encouraged me to sing. I was petrified and over whelmed for the first hour. I couldn't even move my lips! I still felt like every time the director, Mac Wilberg, looked at the sopranos he was looking straight at me. Once the second hour began I was a little calmer and started singing! You only live once! Dr. Staheli always says, "Go big! If you're going to make a mistake make it big!" So, I did! I sang 1st soprano at the top of my lungs! It was amazing!
Below you see actual, honest to goodness MoTab singers walking to rehearsal.
Here we are following behind them.
There's MACK!
My fellow classmate, Mary, and I sitting with the choir and by the pipes!
Here is the organ console. This same week BYU's organ department was sponsoring an organ workshop. Those students each got to play a song on the organ after MoTab's rehearsal. Lucky Lady!
BUT NOT AS LUCKY AS ME!!!
That's right folks that's me and Mack Wilberg! I hope you recognize me despite my star struck expression. I was so excited to meet him! I felt like those girls you see in the news clips of the Beatles. How they cried and screamed and climbed up on their car as the Beatles tried to leave after a concert. That's what I felt like this week. I tried to hold it in but every now and then it leaked out!
Blurry, but Glorious!
The Beatle-esk enthusiasm leaked out BIG TIME on the last day of class! Even though some of the photos are blurry I have to post them all! I have pages and pages and pages of notes! I tried to write down every word!
Rosalind is so endearing! By the end of the week I was completely in love with her! She gave me a hug before I left and I told her I thought she was wonderful and something about her being like chocolate! I don't remember my exact words... again, Beatle-esk!
Ron was very nice and didn't seem to mind my deer in the head lights admiration. I wanted to make a good impression on these two so I deemed myself their water girl! Any break we had I went to the break room and brought them back cold water and goodies. I'm not ashamed either!
They were such good sports with me! You can believe I'm printing this one out and hanging in over my piano!
What an experience! I have to dedicate my future success to my incredibly supportive Edward and his AMAZING mother. They took great care of my three babies while I was gone. Thank you!
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