A New Attitude
November 3, 2006 at 4:59 pm 25 comments
Sunday night we had rehearsal. Since the theatre’s current play doesn’t wrap up until next Sunday, we’re still spending these rehearsals singing… wailing in my case. I did not arrive at rehearsal with my best attitude on. Mostly I slumped in, grinding my teeth about having to spend another night adding my scratchy, harsh singing to the chorus. I was a little early, so the music director was still working with the children and teenagers when I got there.
Part of the kids had come from a Halloween party and were dressed in their costumes, three of them came from the rehearsal of Cinderella they’d just finished across town, part of them were in “good clothes” like they’d just come from church. The music director had already conducted the choir at church twice that day, and she has a leading role in the play that’s going on now and been performed for the matinee at 2:00. All of them had to be tired, a little buzzed, and cranky. And yet, there they were, singing their hearts out, with gusto and energy. Cooperating with each other and the music director, smiling and happy.
None of those kids knew whether they sounded good or not, they didn’t even care. They were into the songs, and being with each other.
It took me back to when my kids were little. Kids aren’t born knowing what they can and can’t do well. If you tell a little kid to sing – they warble out itsy bitsy spider without a thought. Draw me a picture – here comes the family portrait or a house with a giant sun and rainbow. Where is that place that suddenly we decide we “can’t” do something and give up trying to do it forever? Even though the attempt probably gives us joy.
Watching those kids singing, eyes bright and sparkling even in the dimness of the theatre, reminded me that, while I’m never gonna make it on American Idol, I love to sing. I love that tingle you get when after several false starts, the song comes together and becomes this soaring, lyrical creature. I love the company of these creative people.
They aren’t asking me to be good, they’re asking me to try.
Entry filed under: Music and Theatre.
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kat's random thoughts 
1.
sunfloweroptimism | November 3, 2006 at 5:58 pm
This is such a HAPPY day, Kat! First, Dr. John’s post, then his wonderful link – now this great post. All posts that have helped me “readjust” my own attitude and look at my today in a different way. Thank you!
2.
sunfloweroptimism | November 3, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Ooooh! Note to self – proofread BEFORE hitting “Submit Comment.” There is no second chance to edit, here!
3.
katcampbell | November 3, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Uh Oh, you may have found the first flaw in my new neighborhood Sunflower! It’s a beautiful sunny, but cold day here today, and shaping up to be excellent!
4.
katcampbell | November 3, 2006 at 6:28 pm
SUNFLOWER! Your blog won’t let me post comments, no place to type in anything but “blogspot” addresses! Arghhhh!
5.
Friday's Child | November 3, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Sometimes when we think of the kids, we wish we were like them again. Free from all stress, and very open to their feelings. I’m not a pro but I love to sing too and dance as well. But of course, not like kids, when I sing of course there are limitations to my singing.
Thanks for passing by and thanks for your concern.
Don’t worry, Just a rest would be enough.
6.
Stacy | November 3, 2006 at 7:50 pm
That was a great post, Kat! I’m not going to make American Idol, probably not the Gong Show either, for that matter. I stink as a singer. I know I stink. I avoid public singing at all cost, but I love to sing so at home, in the car, even in the shower, I sing. And sing. And sing.
7.
katcampbell | November 3, 2006 at 7:54 pm
Thanks for coming by Friday, enjoy your rest.
You go Stacy! It is fun to sing, who cares if its good or not?
8.
sunfloweroptimism | November 3, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Kat, I think it’s OK now, I posted a “test” comment. Thanks for the heads up 🙂 I don’t know what was up with DaveM’s site for a few days – I was getting a blank page for him. But he’s back today.
9.
DaveM | November 3, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Hi Got my blog back, thankfully.
When does “cant” crop up? Maybe when we first start school and the comparison with other kids start. Maybe its subconsciously begun when collectively we were asked to do something and then you look at someone elses work and its then you realise that its not the same. So then we cant do it.
10.
sunfloweroptimism | November 3, 2006 at 10:05 pm
Glad you’re back Dave, love your photos 🙂
Kat, you, internet wizard – I “fixed” it with your instructions!
11.
katcampbell | November 3, 2006 at 10:26 pm
Dave – I think you’re right, and isn’t that just the saddest thing! Glad your site is working again!
Sunflower – Sometimes I amaze even myself.
12.
mrsjosegoldbloom | November 3, 2006 at 11:18 pm
Loved this post Kat. I think as children we all reach a point where we decide we’re really not interested in a particular thing anymore so we put our energies into the things we really like. It’s all part of self discovery & growth.
13.
John Linna | November 4, 2006 at 12:29 am
When i was a kid I thought I was a good singer. I still love to sing. But when I was pastor the choir director asked me not to sing with the choir and suggested I should shut my mike off when singing a hymn. What sets in is reality.
14.
bobciz | November 4, 2006 at 2:53 am
Oh, to be a kid again, unencumbered by the judgements of others. The first time we hear someone else being praised for doing something well is the first time we start to think maybe we can’t do it as well. Lost innocence is the result, along with off key singing, where before everything we sang was angelic.
15.
Mimi Lenox | November 4, 2006 at 4:24 am
Hi Kat. I do like your new space here. Blogger has been giving me a fit too, especially with pictures. Four days til the Peace Globe debut and I’m totally psyched and humbled by all the support from bloggers everywhere. I got an email today from someone in Germany who saw the Holocaust post and read Inscription of Hope. More goosebumps, more chills, more tears.
Peace is a good thing.
Working together for peace is a miraculous thing.
Thanks for being part of the process.
Mimi Lenox
16.
totouchaunicorn | November 4, 2006 at 4:25 am
Sounds like the kids had a really good time Kat and that after all is what it is all about isn’t it?
Love the new place, you have got things well organized, *pages* ooooo goodies!
I’ve signed up with wordpress too but still working on it :p
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME!
Sandy
17.
Mimi Lenox | November 4, 2006 at 4:26 am
And oh yes…keep listening to those children’s voices. I am a conductor/musician/singer as well. There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of children’s voices. I’m still trying to find an audio of that piece.
18.
Velvet Sacks | November 4, 2006 at 8:47 am
Wow! I’ve been hit and miss in my blog reading for a few days and look what you’ve done! Love the way you’ve organized and decorated your new house, Kat. All that while you were writing some good posts, too.
19.
katcampbell | November 4, 2006 at 10:01 am
Mrs. Jose – what a positive way to think of it, more like a choice than a loss.
LOL Dr. John! Now I know you understand my frustration at my lousy singing!
Bob – Lost innocence, so true. While I wouldn’t want to go back, I remember those childhood years as magical.
Mimi – Thank you for being proactive and getting something started. Just four days to get more on board.
Thanks Sandy! I do like the new place and things got up and running in just two days thanks to Tony.
Thanks Velvet!
20.
Just Tom | November 4, 2006 at 11:24 am
Congrats on the new digs, Kat. Your steppin’ up. I’ll be stoppin’ by to see what’s up.
And as far as you post goes, “wail on, sister.” didn’t Jesus say something to the effect of “be as the children?” I think he said it better than that, but then, he had a good editor.
Peace, T
21.
NMOTB | November 4, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Love the new blog! That was a wonderful post and so true what you said about the kids! Happy singing and preparing for the play/concert! Enjoy your weekend!
22.
Gela Words | November 4, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Oh Kat, you have a new home! Now why is wordpress working for everyone except me? I can’t even get my 100 things about me page to show. Ah, I’ll fixed it after the exams, too busy now.
23.
katcampbell | November 4, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Tom – Thanks for stopping by, and yes Jesus did have a much better editor than we’ll ever hope to see.
New Mom – Thanks! Nice to see you back from your camping trip.
Gela – Something simple stopping your page from showing. Study girl! Get those things done!
24.
Gela Words | November 12, 2006 at 1:29 am
Love the innocence of childhood. They don’t care, they just do.
25. Electric toothbrush | January 17, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Electric toothbrush
Keep up hygiene of a mouth