Got a “Gig”
Some musicians I know (including this rather cute one I married 7 years ago) might argue it’s not truly a gig if you’re not getting paid.
But I think it’s more fun to call it a “gig” than a concert, let me tell you a little bit about the not-for-profit singing gig I have this weekend. (If nothing else it will prove I do occasionally try to have a tiny bit of a life outside of kids and work, challenging as it is!)
Encore Vocal Arts (which used to be known as the Indianapolis Arts Chorale) has asked me to be a guest soloist in their concert this Friday and Saturday, at 7:30 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
It’s not quite fair to call it just a concert. Their website bills ”Inherit the Earth” as a ”multi-sensory experience” with visual images, nature sounds intermingled with the music, and even an earth fair happening outside the concert area. The featured piece is Paul Winter’s Gaia Missa/Earth Mass. The part I’m singing is a really beautiful and simple gospel melody, accompanied by the choir and orchestra. Tonight after the 7pm news I rehearsed with the instrumentalists (they gave me chills) and later this week I’ll practice with the whole 150 member choir.
If you’re curious, check out more on the concert and a youtube preview here! http://www.artschorale.org/event_earths-mass.html
Friday night Rafael Sanchez will be the emcee (thanks, Raf!!) and I’ll actually dash over between newscasts to sing my piece! But apparently that’s not nerve-wracking enough, so on Saturday, I will be emceeing and singing.
As my husband reminds me when I get a little (or a lot) frantic and stressed-out, I do get myself into these things. But there is nothing quite like singing with a choir. If I feed my music habit just once in a while with something really beautiful, I can make it quite a while just singing in the car, or shower, or to my kids, before I get that familiar itch to lend my voice to something grander.
Sometimes with the heaviness of the news we report on, it really helps to have a way to get your mind and soul in a more positive place. Music therapy seems to work pretty consistently for me. (Example: I have found it’s scientifically impossible to feel stressed out if you’re listening to James Taylor. Try it - I dare you. James lives in my car, just in case, all the time.)
I also wrote a brief “little something” to read Saturday night that fits in with the evening’s nature theme, as the conductor asked me to do. If I’m brave enough I’ll share it on this blog.
But I may chicken out. So if you really want to hear it, come to the show.
Oops - I meant ”gig.”
Hope to see you there.
Trish
P.S. Thursday night update: My kids and husband came along to dress rehearsal tonight. The choir and organist serenaded me with a grand rendition of “Happy Birthday.” They sound amazing! Clara clung to my leg as I tried to rehearse my solo on stage. Quite a moment.
I keep thinking to myself, 10 years ago this May 15th, I was turning 24, and probably wouldn’t have felt nearly this exhausted after such a long and busy day!
Time to go count my new gray hairs.
Powered by 
Hi Trish,
Just dropping in to ready your weekly blog. I love James too- I had a canary once that I named JT when I moved into my first apartment. I liked the singing - it kept the place from getting too quiet since I had never lived on my own before. He died a tragic death( the bird- not James) I’ll tell you the story some day.
You concert sounds really great. Wish we lived closer so we could come on out and support you.
Sue
PS - Calvin’s shirt is in the mail!
Ten years ago you were not married (to that hunk drummer) and/or a mother of two. All things considered you are doing quite well. Sorry I was unable to be there in person.
Another James Taylor fan. James performed with the Bostom Pops a few years back and introduced his father who sat front row center beaming with pride. I’m hoping your family was there with you. Those of us who sang in choir, trios know all too well your
expressed feeling. Enjoy your blogs Trisha.
Sis-in-law Sue - Okay, that settles it. Next time we have a get-together we’ll have to get some JT in the CD player and make sure our kids get educated about his greatness. I remember playing the Greatest Hits for Calvin last summer, and he kept singing “Shower WITH the People You Love.” Gave the tune a whole new meaning. We have managed to get all of your abandoned items into one location, plus one surprise - we’ll see if we get organized and ambitious enough to get it in the mail to Canada in the next week!
PJ-A - Busted, Peggy! I guessed that was you because of the hunk drummer reference! Ian and I saw James at the Iowa State Fair last summer - it was a pretty magical and slightly surreal night, with the carnival rides glowing in the background.
The concert was wonderful, by the way. I have no idea why so many people thanked me for being part of it. I was thanking THEM for allowing me to join them on stage - what a talented group! Have a great week - hope to see you out at the ballpark again sometime.
Thanks for being a great pen pal!