I was pleased to be asked back to be sing for this event. I first performed at the Don't Hate, Donate charity event in March, and now I was going to sing for them again in May.
Just as before, myself and a group of other singers provided the entertainment, while the tables were set and the food and drink was handed out.
I was especially eager to do this as the last time I sang for them I had a horrendous cold. Not the best, especially singing outdoors in the town square! This time, I was perfectly healthy, which meant that I was able to do more songs.
So, I got ready; selecting my songs, and I even designed this pretty poster:
Just as before, myself and a group of other singers provided the entertainment, while the tables were set and the food and drink was handed out.
I was especially eager to do this as the last time I sang for them I had a horrendous cold. Not the best, especially singing outdoors in the town square! This time, I was perfectly healthy, which meant that I was able to do more songs.
So, I got ready; selecting my songs, and I even designed this pretty poster:
My singing teacher contacted me and told me that Seb, who performed at the Mad Hatters Charity Tea Party, had asked if I wanted to duet with him. Having never done a duet, I agreed, even though I was a little nervous, and we decided on “All I Ask Of You,” from “The Phantom of The Opera.”
My singing teacher, Becki, and I practised the duet in our lessons, with her singing Raoul's part, and I would practise at home, as well. I'm sure the neighbour's must have thought I didn't know the song very well, haha!
Of course, no set of mine was complete without “Pie Jesu,” so we put that into the song list. Again, I wanted to have a bit of variety, so we also included “How Far I'll Go,” from Disney's “Moana.” I loved the movie, and the songs; I had been singing them all around the house, and so my mum suggested that I learn “How Far I'll Go.”
Keeping with the Disney theme, we also put in “Once Upon a Dream” from “Sleeping Beauty,” another favourite. I love Disney songs, and I love to sing them. I hope to perform more of them in the future.
To go back to my roots, we put in “O Mio Babbino Caro,” and then we would finish off with the beautiful “Danny Boy.” I recently sang “Danny Boy” at a nursing home, and the residents sang along with it; it was so lovely.
So, then, all I had to do was practise my songs (and pick a dress for the day; a task in its own!).
Seb and I were able to attend each other's lessons and rehearse together. As I mentioned, I have never performed a duet before, so it was quite difficult, but we kept practising and practising. I would say the most difficult part was having to sing whilst looking into each others' faces; it's a lot harder than it sounds, and we kept bursting into laughter.
Finally, the day arrived. The set up of the tables were the same, in the beautiful Guildhall Square in Portsmouth. This time, my family were able to come down and watch, and that meant I was able to bring my camera.
While Becki was setting up the sound system (she brings it all herself!), I got to setting up my camera, as the event got underway.
Seb and Becki opened the show with a duet of “Be Our Guest,” from “Beauty and the Beast;” they both perform it really well, and you can tell they both enjoy the song.
Then Seb began his set, which included “Pure Imagination,” from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Stars,” from “Les Mis,” and also “Master of the House,” also from “Les Mis.” He has great confidence on stage, and great character, especially when singing “Master of the House.”
After his last song, it was time for our duet. Becki had brought along two microphones, which was good as Seb is a bit taller than me.
My singing teacher, Becki, and I practised the duet in our lessons, with her singing Raoul's part, and I would practise at home, as well. I'm sure the neighbour's must have thought I didn't know the song very well, haha!
Of course, no set of mine was complete without “Pie Jesu,” so we put that into the song list. Again, I wanted to have a bit of variety, so we also included “How Far I'll Go,” from Disney's “Moana.” I loved the movie, and the songs; I had been singing them all around the house, and so my mum suggested that I learn “How Far I'll Go.”
Keeping with the Disney theme, we also put in “Once Upon a Dream” from “Sleeping Beauty,” another favourite. I love Disney songs, and I love to sing them. I hope to perform more of them in the future.
To go back to my roots, we put in “O Mio Babbino Caro,” and then we would finish off with the beautiful “Danny Boy.” I recently sang “Danny Boy” at a nursing home, and the residents sang along with it; it was so lovely.
So, then, all I had to do was practise my songs (and pick a dress for the day; a task in its own!).
Seb and I were able to attend each other's lessons and rehearse together. As I mentioned, I have never performed a duet before, so it was quite difficult, but we kept practising and practising. I would say the most difficult part was having to sing whilst looking into each others' faces; it's a lot harder than it sounds, and we kept bursting into laughter.
Finally, the day arrived. The set up of the tables were the same, in the beautiful Guildhall Square in Portsmouth. This time, my family were able to come down and watch, and that meant I was able to bring my camera.
While Becki was setting up the sound system (she brings it all herself!), I got to setting up my camera, as the event got underway.
Seb and Becki opened the show with a duet of “Be Our Guest,” from “Beauty and the Beast;” they both perform it really well, and you can tell they both enjoy the song.
Then Seb began his set, which included “Pure Imagination,” from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Stars,” from “Les Mis,” and also “Master of the House,” also from “Les Mis.” He has great confidence on stage, and great character, especially when singing “Master of the House.”
After his last song, it was time for our duet. Becki had brought along two microphones, which was good as Seb is a bit taller than me.
I was so very nervous; it is always nerve-wracking performing a new song in public for the first time. For me, I sound great in rehearsals, but I still freeze up a little bit in public, especially on new songs, but if I don't perform it in public, it'll never improve.
As far as first performances of a duet go, it went okay, I think. Considering Seb and I only had two rehearsals together, it sounded really good. I am hoping we can sing this together again in future, because my nerves were showing.
After the duet, I launched into “Pie Jesu,” which I felt much more comfortable with. It was a windy day, and my hair kept blowing into my face. It was so hard to keep a straight face!
The audience seemed to appreciate it, which made me glad. There were a lot of people milling around, talking, eating, which did make everything feel so relaxed.
Then I sang “How Far I'll Go,” which was a very new song for me; I had not long ago begun learning it, so I was extremely worried as I was singing it. I will be performing this song again in future, as I do love it, and I can't wait to give more of my own style. Well, nobody booed, which relieved me, haha!
After that, I performed “Once Upon a Dream.” Although this was also a new song for me, I felt more comfortable with this as Princess Aurora does have a more operatic voice, and I found this easier to sing. It's such a beautiful song, and I always feel like dancing when I hear it.
Then came “O Mio Babbino Caro;” this was another song where I saw people walking by stop to listen; it makes me really happy when that happens, and I was trying not to smile, which would have been strange because it's a very dramatic song.
As I mentioned earlier, I was going to finish off my set with “Danny Boy,” but when I finished “O Mio Babbino Caro,” Becki told me that I had a song request! This has never happened to me before, and the song just happened to be “Time To Say Goodbye,” I was all set to do it when Becki said that the person who requested it asked for it because the song had been played at his grandmother's funeral. Well, that made me almost not want to sing it because I don't want to make anyone sad, but he asked, and so I sang it. It is always difficult singing sad songs like that, but the audience seemed to like it, and when I had finished, the young man who requested it came over and told me how much he enjoyed it. I'm glad he liked it; he said the song was very special to him, so I hope I did it justice.
After that, I sat with my family and Seb for a while, watching the next performer. The young lad who requested the song, brought Seb and I cans of Coke as a thank you, which was very nice of him.
I have uploaded a few of my performances on my YouTube channel. Let me know what you think.
I had a great time, and I hope I get to do it again soon.
Until next time
Lauren xx
As far as first performances of a duet go, it went okay, I think. Considering Seb and I only had two rehearsals together, it sounded really good. I am hoping we can sing this together again in future, because my nerves were showing.
After the duet, I launched into “Pie Jesu,” which I felt much more comfortable with. It was a windy day, and my hair kept blowing into my face. It was so hard to keep a straight face!
The audience seemed to appreciate it, which made me glad. There were a lot of people milling around, talking, eating, which did make everything feel so relaxed.
Then I sang “How Far I'll Go,” which was a very new song for me; I had not long ago begun learning it, so I was extremely worried as I was singing it. I will be performing this song again in future, as I do love it, and I can't wait to give more of my own style. Well, nobody booed, which relieved me, haha!
After that, I performed “Once Upon a Dream.” Although this was also a new song for me, I felt more comfortable with this as Princess Aurora does have a more operatic voice, and I found this easier to sing. It's such a beautiful song, and I always feel like dancing when I hear it.
Then came “O Mio Babbino Caro;” this was another song where I saw people walking by stop to listen; it makes me really happy when that happens, and I was trying not to smile, which would have been strange because it's a very dramatic song.
As I mentioned earlier, I was going to finish off my set with “Danny Boy,” but when I finished “O Mio Babbino Caro,” Becki told me that I had a song request! This has never happened to me before, and the song just happened to be “Time To Say Goodbye,” I was all set to do it when Becki said that the person who requested it asked for it because the song had been played at his grandmother's funeral. Well, that made me almost not want to sing it because I don't want to make anyone sad, but he asked, and so I sang it. It is always difficult singing sad songs like that, but the audience seemed to like it, and when I had finished, the young man who requested it came over and told me how much he enjoyed it. I'm glad he liked it; he said the song was very special to him, so I hope I did it justice.
After that, I sat with my family and Seb for a while, watching the next performer. The young lad who requested the song, brought Seb and I cans of Coke as a thank you, which was very nice of him.
I have uploaded a few of my performances on my YouTube channel. Let me know what you think.
I had a great time, and I hope I get to do it again soon.
Until next time
Lauren xx