I hope to have something to release to those who were unable to attend: perhaps a DVD or a CD. But as of right now, I don't have anything that I feel confident enough to release. Such is the nature of live performances, yeah?
12/30/2009
Thoughts on my recital
I hope to have something to release to those who were unable to attend: perhaps a DVD or a CD. But as of right now, I don't have anything that I feel confident enough to release. Such is the nature of live performances, yeah?
12/12/2009
One More Day To My Recital!
Down to about 20 hours to the recital... Starting to get a little nervous. I haven't really gotten nervous about a performance in a while, mostly because I haven't done anything that depended so much on me. This is MY recital, and other than my wonderful accompanist and one guest artist, I will be on stage alone... for the entire performance... something I haven't done in a very long time. It's been a bit like preparing for a marathon, but one where I run alone. I've torn up and rebuilt my voice several times in the last three months, constantly testing it for quality and endurance. I've run through the entire program (25 + songs) twice, once with flying colors, and the other time I felt pretty fatigued at the end. Tomorrow will the tale... How much do I warm up? Do I try to warm up as I go? Should I even test the upper voice before the performance? I've dealt with a bit of a cold nearly this entire time-just won't go away.
And then there is the producing aspect. For the first time in 15 years, I'm producing this myself. No one asked me to do this. Well, actually, in a way, people have been asking me to do this for a long time (More on that later). But, financially, the risk is considerable. As in any business venture, everyone else gets paid first, and the owner gets the left-overs. Which also means that the owner assumes the risk if the venture looses money. He takes the hit. The possibility to turn a profit is there, but not a given (As I'm finding out). What's needed, and I'll actually do this next time, is an underwriter(someone who covers the production costs and shares in the profits),preferably someone that will also help in the actual promoting of the event and who would then share in the publicity.
Anyway, this all comes together tomorrow, and it will be then when we find out how much we have made or lost.
I'll try to give a review later.
And then there is the producing aspect. For the first time in 15 years, I'm producing this myself. No one asked me to do this. Well, actually, in a way, people have been asking me to do this for a long time (More on that later). But, financially, the risk is considerable. As in any business venture, everyone else gets paid first, and the owner gets the left-overs. Which also means that the owner assumes the risk if the venture looses money. He takes the hit. The possibility to turn a profit is there, but not a given (As I'm finding out). What's needed, and I'll actually do this next time, is an underwriter(someone who covers the production costs and shares in the profits),preferably someone that will also help in the actual promoting of the event and who would then share in the publicity.
Anyway, this all comes together tomorrow, and it will be then when we find out how much we have made or lost.
I'll try to give a review later.
11/29/2009
2 More Weeks!
Time is getting shorter, as are the days. I have performed three mini-recitals in the last week, made several promotional appearances at different meetings and organizations, shot a cable TV "freemercial", passed out my flyers at various concerts and halls and continue to sing and memorize daily. I've never tackled anything musical from this many sides before (most of which are non-musical sides). I have a new appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes of recitals and concerts. Usually I'm asked to sing, I show up to rehearsals and the performance, collect my fee and go home. NOT SO THIS TIME.
As a performing artist, I am constantly faced with programming conflicts. Often, what I'm asked to sing by directors or producers is not what I want to sing, and the public may want to hear something completely different. How do we make our selections? While programming my recital, I'm constantly faced with what I want to sing and what the audience wants to hear. Who should have priority? "Well, the audience, of course", you might say. I'll agree that your half right. "Know your audience" is a mantra that goes way back, and for the most part, I agree. But, as professional artists, we also have an obligation to take our listeners on a journey to places they've never before ventured, to expand their horizons. It's difficult to do that while singing all tried-and-true standards. On the other hand, leave out any familiar tunes, and the audience may become lost and alienated altogether. Balance is the answer, I suppose(Master Yoda would be proud).
As a performing artist, I am constantly faced with programming conflicts. Often, what I'm asked to sing by directors or producers is not what I want to sing, and the public may want to hear something completely different. How do we make our selections? While programming my recital, I'm constantly faced with what I want to sing and what the audience wants to hear. Who should have priority? "Well, the audience, of course", you might say. I'll agree that your half right. "Know your audience" is a mantra that goes way back, and for the most part, I agree. But, as professional artists, we also have an obligation to take our listeners on a journey to places they've never before ventured, to expand their horizons. It's difficult to do that while singing all tried-and-true standards. On the other hand, leave out any familiar tunes, and the audience may become lost and alienated altogether. Balance is the answer, I suppose(Master Yoda would be proud).
11/09/2009
Working hard...
I've been working hard to condition my voice and learn all the new music I'm doing in the recital. I hope now to sell more tickets... Have just over a month until the big day! Hope you all can be there!
9/27/2009
My Recital Flyer
For anyone who would like a flyer, I can send you a pdf file by email. Just email me at mclainster@gmail.com, write "Flyer Please" in the subject box, and I will get one off to you as soon as I see it.
I hope to see you there!
Michael
I hope to see you there!
Michael
9/19/2009
9/11/2009
Experiment in using Youtube for my recital.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eiK2V81P5s&feature=related This is the incomparable Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano from New Zealand.
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