Perhaps you remember that back in May before the end of the school year, I accompanied the across-town middle school choirs for their end of the year concert. Totally mixed feelings about this adventure. Since my children's voice teacher closed her in-home studio and went full time at the college, and I didn't feel that I could commit that much time in such a structured way, my opportunities to play have been few and far between. I have been sad about that, but there really didn't seem to be much I could do about it. Of course my mother's solution is that I "ought to sit down and practice for an hour a day." Somehow that doesn't happen too often unless I have something to practice for. There have been a few musical numbers at church to accompany, and now that I help with the care center service every Sunday, I do some playing there, but nothing overly challenging. So while I was contemplating the loss of my technical abilities, I got a phone call from one of the music directors at the across-town middle school, desperately looking for an accompanist for their upcoming concert. Not that I think there are a huge number of school music directors that read my blog, but here are a few points that helped cause my dilemma.
Point #1--Question--When is the concert? I have learned to ask this one right off, before I commit to anything, because sometimes I'm surprised by the answer...like this time. Answer--In 5 days. You see my dilemma here?? I want to help. I firmly believe in musical education of all kinds. I want to promote music in schools. I can often do a really good job of it....if I'm given enough time to prepare, and usually 5 days is not enough time. So I start to waver.
Point #2---"Oh," she says, (and by the way, she's a very nice person), "the music is REALLY easy. If I can play it, anyone can play it." And she's desperate, I can tell, and I'm slowly being sucked down the rabbit hole. So I get the music.....all 9 numbers, and what do you think I find? It's not that easy. Of course it is for her....she's been plunking through it all semester to rehearse her kids. I've never seen it before and I'm supposed to rehearse in class with the choirs in 2 days. Look at that piece of music in the picture. See all the 16th notes? Uh-huh.
Point #3--Never, ever take your accompanist for granted. I am compulsive enough to want to do a good job performing, so I will come to rehearsal prepared. That means that by the time I hit the first day of in-class rehearsal, I've put in about 10 hours of practice time just to begin getting the muscle memory into my hands...remember, I'm old and haven't done this regularly in a while. Now isn't the time to hand me another piece of music to sight read when the concert is tomorrow. Which is exactly what happened with the other director involved in the concert. And then after rehearsals he starts making noises about wanting to make this a permanent deal. Wow.......so not going to happen. I will be conveniently busy for the foreseeable future.
Now, after all this, the very nice little lady teacher dropped by with this great thank you note. Always, always a good idea. It helps tremendously to feel appreciated for the effort put in to going down that rabbit hole.
And will be appropriately displayed along with your grandchildren's refrigerator art, a reminder to one and all that gratitude goes quite a ways in engendering good will the next time one calls desperate to have you practice many hours in a short period of time.
Wow, you were awfully nice to take that on at the last minute. I bet you performed wonderfully, but I can see why you wouldn't want to take this on full time!
Posted by: Anita | June 17, 2016 at 06:02 AM
A-MEN! You are so right- pianists want to help, but people don't realize that in order not to embarrass ourselves, our time practicing becomes a huge time commitment. Thumbs up to all the accompanists out there!
Posted by: Lil Sis | June 19, 2016 at 06:03 AM