I'm giving my graduate recital at NIU in 2 days. How scary! Surprisingly, I'm feeling calm today. Here's the proper definition of "calm" in my current situation:
Calm: Shaky hands. Weak knees. Excited. Nervous without feeling like I'm about to throw up. Prepared. Ready.
My definition probably seems a bit oxymoronic, but those are the feelings I am experiencing. I may be jittery, but I am okay.
Preparing for this recital has been unlike any other experience in my musical life. I've worked harder for this than any other performance I've given. I suppose that's where the "calm" comes in. I know that I am able to play everything on my program. Earlier this week, there were about 18 measures that were causing me problems, but after ironing those out for hours and hours, I feel ready.
On Wednesday, someone asked me, "Are you ready?" I said, "As ready as I can be today." Everyday I grow more and more ready. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't mean that Sunday at 2:50 p.m. I will be cool as a cucumber (I wish!). It means that because I've worked hard, I have nothing to fret. Hard work pays off.
Keep calm and practice on,
Blakeley Woessner
You have nothing to fret! Clever, very clever indeed. In reading this after you gave your recital I feel like I can almost see your face in the days leading up to your performance, determined in preparation, and then as you cross the stage, filled with joy to share your music. I'm so glad that everything went so well for you!
ReplyDelete