Something to work for
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Last week, I went to a rather large house not far from where I live. Upon arrival, I sat in the very grand hallway with several others. We were each waiting for our turn to go up the stairs into one of the very large bedrooms, which had been converted into a study come music room. Once inside, I performed three musical theatre songs (Modern Major General's Song from Pirates of Penzance, On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady and Stars from Les Miserables). I was watched by an amiable and well-spoken gentleman from the London College of Music. This week I received a report sheet telling me that my efforts had earned me 99 marks out of possible 100.
Towards the end of 2009, I joined a rock band a friend of mine was forming. After singing a few made up lines to a piece of music we were writing in one of our early sessions, I was asked to be the band's singer. Having not sung properly for nearly ten years at that point, I decided that if I was going to take this role seriously, I should consider taking a few lessons to bring my voice up to scratch.
In June of last year, the band played its last gig. We each decided to pursue different projects. For me, that meant focusing on my then imminent house move and all of the accompaniments that went with it. For the most part, music took a back seat. My instruments were packed into their cases for the move and while some have since been unpacked, the frequency with which I play them has sadly diminished.
One thing I did continue with was my vocal lessons. During 2011, the band took a six month hiatus. It was during this period that I realised I had been treating the lessons as something independent of the band. While the reason I started them was to make myself a better frontman, I came to see them as an enjoyable pursuit in their own right. For this reason, I kept attending the lessons for my own enjoyment. As such, when the band eventually split for good in 2012, it never occurred to me to stop the lessons too.
My vocal lessons have allowed me to explore a variety of genres. This has been beneficial in terms of expanding my vocal range. It's also kept things interesting by allowing me to indulge my more eclectic tastes. One of the genres I've done a lot of work on in the lessons is musical theatre. As someone with a passion for theatre and who frequents the shows in London's West End whenever possible, it was logical to give it a try. Musical theatre itself encompasses a range of musical styles, each of which presents its own challenges. Crucially for me, it is a genre that allowed me to hone not only my vocal abilities, but also my performance.
After one of my lessons last year, my vocal coach mentioned the exams she was putting some of her other students through. On the way home that evening, a thought occurred to me. As much as I enjoyed the lessons, in the absence of a band, it might be nice to have something to show for them. Several months after discussing this with my vocal coach, I found myself sitting in the hallway of that aforementioned large house clutching my entry form for a Music Theatre Grade 5 exam. I had no real expectation of how I might do when the moment came. I'm pleased to say it went rather well. In future, I might even go so far as to consider doing another.