Perseverance

Type of post: General Chorus Postings/Documents
Sub-type: No sub-type
Posted By: Dede Nibler
Status: Current
Date Posted: Mon, May 14 2018
PERSEVERANCE

Tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4


And we begin, again. We have completed a chapter in our SVC book and are beginning anew. This is an opportunity to look back at the last two years, reflect on all that we have accomplished, and then chart our course for the new two year phase of SVC life. A new chapter in our story is beginning.

Reflections are very helpful, calming, affirming and give us strength to continue. I reflect on some of what we have done:
We have learned APPOGGIO
We have learned HIGH AND OPEN BREATHING - "as ye breathe, so shall ye sing"
We have learned physical BUOYANCY and LIFT
We have learned lifted CHEEKS and SPARLING EYES
We have learned core support and constant air flow
We have learned ringing, clean, clear target vowels and how to turn diphthongs out
We have learned SCHWA mouth - or neutral mouth, as I frequently call it
We have learned resonant singing and how to ring our notes on the roof of our mouths
We have learned CURSIVE singing and how to bring EMOTION to the message of each song
We have learned UNIT sound in our sections
We have learned VOWEL Tunnels - less mouth movement and less jaw movement
We have learned how to enjoy and relax - how to keep tension out of our sound and out of our bodies
We have learned how to show respect and intent by focusing our minds

Frank Sinatra said "You are only as good as your last performance." Well, our last performance was just what I had hoped it would be - a clear demonstration that we have accomplished so much. We have great cause for celebration. A mighty chorus - SVC!

And now we continue. Samuel Johnson said "Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance."

It is up to each member of SVC to decide if she has the energy, desire and enthusiasm for our next chapter. What will we be doing? If you know the levels of skills needed for advancement in barbershop, then you know that SVC will be doing more of the same - that same list that is above - but doing all at a higher level. We will add more personal commitment. We will add artistry. We will add more physical and vocal stamina. We will add visual nuances and emotions. We will learn finer tuning. More colors of music. More emotion and storytelling. Constant resonance and ring in all voices. Oh, all the mountains we will climb. 

Did you know that success is failure turned inside out? Learning goes from "I can't" to "I can" and you never see the success coming. So many people stop working because little clouds of doubt fill their minds. What if the doubt turned to Perseverance? You never know how close to success you are until you reach it. All of a sudden - you have DONE IT! You have reached the top. You can see for miles. If we do our best - persevere when things get tough - we will grow!

We have climbed so far in the past two years. And yes, we had to drag a few of you along...those who had clouds of doubt in their minds...and we lost a few on the way up, sad to say...maybe fear of failure entered their minds....life is just that way. Not all are ready for the climb.

My friends, my sisters of SVC - never forget that each challenge we face will end up a success if we persevere.

Bravo to all of us. We persevered and it paid off. Onward into our future. Love, Dede