Link to Program: https://audienceaccess.co/show/SHENCO-7426
Here are some personal thoughts about performing this recital I would like to share with those of you who plan to attend:
Solo singing, to me, is one of the most personal and intimate acts. It is me bearing my soul. It is me giving you a peek into my thoughts, heart, and life experiences, albeit through the lens of a Broadway character or commercial music songwriter. But it is still personal, even when it's funny. There is nothing more ME than my voice and how I use it to express myself. And so, performing in this way is very vulnerable. Indeed, I feel the act of performing through song is sacred and is, in fact, an act of communion with the audience - no matter what the style. If done right, all are transported, inspired, edified, taken on a journey, given cause for self-reflection and understanding, able to see themselves in the stories and characters, feel seen, feel justified, feel known, and feel connected to God and others. If done right, it becomes something transcendent - bigger than me, bigger than you - we get lost in the story and the experience of the moment.
Preparing for this recital has been quite a journey as I have been battling severe health issues and trauma that directly affect the function and endurance of my voice and coming back from not having done any significant live performing since before the pandemic. This adds an extra layer of vulnerability for me. While I am looking forward to sharing this evening with you, and I have prepared to the best of my ability, I hope you will be generous if you hear any foul-ups, bleeps, or blunders - especially towards the end after I've been singing for 30 or 40 straight minutes! My biggest fear is that I will get in the way of the storytelling, that my weakness will draw attention to itself and detract from a joyous moment. So what does one do?
Sing anyway.
"Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear." My greatest HOPE is that no matter the level of vocal perfection that does or does not exist the intent, LOVE, and JOY will triumph. Bring your open heart, and I'll bring mine, and let's see what we can do!
I will be singing MULTIPLE styles. I am asking myself what I ask of my college-age musical theater students. And that is: to be a vocal Swiss army knife. These students have to be versatile, and during their careers, they may play many roles using a wide variety of vocal styles. Nowadays, not only are Musical Theater students expected to sing in all the different musical theater genres, but they are also expected to know a fair amount of popular commercial music genres and songs and include them in their audition books!
Oh - and be authentic. Finding an authentic voice in each style is quite a task. It has to be more than just covering a song, doing what someone else did, or doing what you think the director wants you to do. Somehow, you have to remain faithful to the genre of music you are singing, stay true to the intent of the composer and lyricist and/or director, but still be authentically YOU. To bring yourself and your life's experience and unique perspective to the work you are doing.
So, back to the start where I said this is a tribute. Well, it's just little ol' me at the exact moment I am in my life, singing some of my favorite songs that represent the combined efforts of myself, my parents, family, friends, colleagues, teachers, and mentors. And I am saying THANK YOU, and I love you.
Link to Program: https://audienceaccess.co/show/SHENCO-7426
Link to Program Notes: https://www.emilycastleton.com/post/the-music-that-made-me-dma-recital-2023