Hi, everyone! I hope your 2018 is going great!
I was delighted to have been asked back to perform for the annual craft and gift fair once again. I last performed for them in December, and I had a wonderful time, and I couldn't wait to do it again.
I was delighted to have been asked back to perform for the annual craft and gift fair once again. I last performed for them in December, and I had a wonderful time, and I couldn't wait to do it again.
The premise was the same as the previous one; stalls were set up in the hall, and customers would browse and by whilst I sang away up on stage. I love the idea of having live entertainment while people browse stalls; I think it makes a lovely change from just having pre-recorded music.
I immediately began working on a set list. I wanted to do my usual repertoire, which is classical and classical crossover, but I also wanted to add in a few of my favourite songs, as well. Working with my singing teacher, we decided on seven songs for the event, and I got practising.
I was really looking forward to my first performance of the year, and I couldn't wait to start singing again. After the new year, I always take a little break from performing, to relax, and also to try and find new songs to learn, and to learn a little bit of music theory.
Now, it was time to get back into singing, which I was pleased about. I got back into the habit of practising every day, which wasn't too difficult, and I decided to just wear casual clothes, as it was a casual affair. I know that sounds strange when I wore this the last time I sang there:
I immediately began working on a set list. I wanted to do my usual repertoire, which is classical and classical crossover, but I also wanted to add in a few of my favourite songs, as well. Working with my singing teacher, we decided on seven songs for the event, and I got practising.
I was really looking forward to my first performance of the year, and I couldn't wait to start singing again. After the new year, I always take a little break from performing, to relax, and also to try and find new songs to learn, and to learn a little bit of music theory.
Now, it was time to get back into singing, which I was pleased about. I got back into the habit of practising every day, which wasn't too difficult, and I decided to just wear casual clothes, as it was a casual affair. I know that sounds strange when I wore this the last time I sang there:
But I just felt like something more casual; although I do feel comfortable in ball gowns and evening dresses, I felt like doing something different.
Finally, the day arrived. I made sure I had everything; my phone with the backing tracks on it, my trusty water bottle, and Dad set off to the venue. I had to go to work straight after, so my hair was in a sensible plait.
When we arrived, the gift fair was in full swing; the stalls were full, and there were lots of people browsing. After a quick hello, I went backstage, to do a bit more warming up. Becki, who was also performing, hadn't yet arrived, and as she had the sound system, I couldn't start.
Not that I minded, as it gave extra time to really warm up my voice. Plus, the leftover snow meant that everyone had to travel carefully.
When Becki arrived, I helped her to set up, while her lovely mum helped us out, and then I opened the event's entertainment, which was nerve-wracking, to say the least!
I opened my set with my version of “Chandelier” by Sia. I love singing this song, but I'm always very nervous when I do, as I'm wondering whether the audience will like my classical take on this song. When I finished, people were clapping, so I guess they must have liked it.
I then introduced my next song, which was “Music and Me,” by Michael Jackson. I absolutely adore this song, and I hope to cover more Michael songs in the future.
My following songs were:
Pie Jesu – my still favourite song. When I started singing, a lot of people turned around to watch, especially a little group of old ladies, who were all smiling. I don't think I will ever get tired of singing this song.
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. Like most people, I'm a huge fan of Phantom of the Opera, and I love singing the songs from it. “Wishing” is one of my favourites, because I love the melody, and I can really put a lot of emotion into it. I hope to be able to perform more songs from this musical soon.
O Mio Babbino Caro. I've mentioned before that this song is special to me because it's the first I learnt to sing, and it was then I realised that I had a classical sounding voice, which lead me to try singing classically. So, if I hadn't decided to sing this song one day, I wouldn't be where I am now, so I do love this song.
I also love it, because it's so dramatic, and because it has beautiful high notes. This is another song that people stopped to listen to. After I had finished, my Dad said that it was the best I had ever done it.
Nessun Dorma. I love performing this song, but it is scary; because it's the most famous aria of all time, which means that everyone knows it. And that means that everyone is listening to the big ending, which I think is everyone's favourite part. I know it's mine!
When I introduced the song, I noticed that a lot of people looked shocked, probably because it's such a big, famous song, and I didn't want to mess it up.
I think by the end my nerves got the better of me because my voice faltered a little bit on the top notes, but I kept singing, and managed to finish strong, which got a lot of applause.
I then thanked the audience for listening, and left the stage.
Whilst I was performing, I was happy to see that a lot of stall holders were watching me, as were the shoppers, even little kids, wow!
I really enjoyed singing all of those songs, the ones that were in a foreign language were the ones that got the most attention. I think it was because most people don't expect that kind of music, so it gives them a nice surprise.
After I browsed the stalls for a while, I returned to the stage to help Becki with her set, which meant controlling the volume for the sound system. Maintaining an even sound is very important for a good performance, so I was only too happy to help out.
Sadly, I had to go when Becki finished her set, which included lots of lovely 40's vintage songs, like Vera Lynn and Judy Garland. But I had to go to work, so I said goodbye to everyone, and I gathered my stuff, and Dad drove me to the restaurant.
When I arrived; my friends told me that despite being open for over two hours, they had had hardly any customers, and that we would be closing in two hours.
We are mainly a weekend and summer place, so we are usually kept busy on Saturdays. I was shocked; when there are no people, the day drags, and I like to be kept busy.
Of course, I knew why; we had had snow that week (for the first time in five years!) and not many people want to come to a seafront restaurant in these freezing conditions.
The upside to finishing early, was that I got to talk to you all, which I always love.
All in all, I'm glad to be back performing; it was very much missed.
Sadly, we didn't get much video, but I've added some photos to the gallery.
I'm looking forward to lots more performances to share with you all.
Again, thank you for reading my blog.
Until next time
Lauren xx
Finally, the day arrived. I made sure I had everything; my phone with the backing tracks on it, my trusty water bottle, and Dad set off to the venue. I had to go to work straight after, so my hair was in a sensible plait.
When we arrived, the gift fair was in full swing; the stalls were full, and there were lots of people browsing. After a quick hello, I went backstage, to do a bit more warming up. Becki, who was also performing, hadn't yet arrived, and as she had the sound system, I couldn't start.
Not that I minded, as it gave extra time to really warm up my voice. Plus, the leftover snow meant that everyone had to travel carefully.
When Becki arrived, I helped her to set up, while her lovely mum helped us out, and then I opened the event's entertainment, which was nerve-wracking, to say the least!
I opened my set with my version of “Chandelier” by Sia. I love singing this song, but I'm always very nervous when I do, as I'm wondering whether the audience will like my classical take on this song. When I finished, people were clapping, so I guess they must have liked it.
I then introduced my next song, which was “Music and Me,” by Michael Jackson. I absolutely adore this song, and I hope to cover more Michael songs in the future.
My following songs were:
Pie Jesu – my still favourite song. When I started singing, a lot of people turned around to watch, especially a little group of old ladies, who were all smiling. I don't think I will ever get tired of singing this song.
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. Like most people, I'm a huge fan of Phantom of the Opera, and I love singing the songs from it. “Wishing” is one of my favourites, because I love the melody, and I can really put a lot of emotion into it. I hope to be able to perform more songs from this musical soon.
O Mio Babbino Caro. I've mentioned before that this song is special to me because it's the first I learnt to sing, and it was then I realised that I had a classical sounding voice, which lead me to try singing classically. So, if I hadn't decided to sing this song one day, I wouldn't be where I am now, so I do love this song.
I also love it, because it's so dramatic, and because it has beautiful high notes. This is another song that people stopped to listen to. After I had finished, my Dad said that it was the best I had ever done it.
Nessun Dorma. I love performing this song, but it is scary; because it's the most famous aria of all time, which means that everyone knows it. And that means that everyone is listening to the big ending, which I think is everyone's favourite part. I know it's mine!
When I introduced the song, I noticed that a lot of people looked shocked, probably because it's such a big, famous song, and I didn't want to mess it up.
I think by the end my nerves got the better of me because my voice faltered a little bit on the top notes, but I kept singing, and managed to finish strong, which got a lot of applause.
I then thanked the audience for listening, and left the stage.
Whilst I was performing, I was happy to see that a lot of stall holders were watching me, as were the shoppers, even little kids, wow!
I really enjoyed singing all of those songs, the ones that were in a foreign language were the ones that got the most attention. I think it was because most people don't expect that kind of music, so it gives them a nice surprise.
After I browsed the stalls for a while, I returned to the stage to help Becki with her set, which meant controlling the volume for the sound system. Maintaining an even sound is very important for a good performance, so I was only too happy to help out.
Sadly, I had to go when Becki finished her set, which included lots of lovely 40's vintage songs, like Vera Lynn and Judy Garland. But I had to go to work, so I said goodbye to everyone, and I gathered my stuff, and Dad drove me to the restaurant.
When I arrived; my friends told me that despite being open for over two hours, they had had hardly any customers, and that we would be closing in two hours.
We are mainly a weekend and summer place, so we are usually kept busy on Saturdays. I was shocked; when there are no people, the day drags, and I like to be kept busy.
Of course, I knew why; we had had snow that week (for the first time in five years!) and not many people want to come to a seafront restaurant in these freezing conditions.
The upside to finishing early, was that I got to talk to you all, which I always love.
All in all, I'm glad to be back performing; it was very much missed.
Sadly, we didn't get much video, but I've added some photos to the gallery.
I'm looking forward to lots more performances to share with you all.
Again, thank you for reading my blog.
Until next time
Lauren xx