Good week overall

I always worry when we have a week of spring break and then have to come back and prepare for Solo and Ensemble Contest in just 2 weeks. Somehow, that week of no lessons and very little if any practicing, causes students to regress 3 or 4 weeks in their preparedness. I am pleased to say that for the most part, that was not the case this week.

I must admit that all week I had trouble getting out of bed in time to get to work. It's funny how your body can get so used to sleeping in when you sleep in for a week. I was also really tired because Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were really long days. I basically came home and went to bed.

I was tired this week, but the lessons were great. I think some of the students might be getting bored with their songs now, but I love it when they know them well enough that I can actually work the details. I also recorded many of the students and had them tell me what they heard that they needed to work on. They hate to listen to themselves, but almost all of them can find issues to work on, even when their opinion of the performace before listening to it was that it was really good.

I also had two really good practice sessions of my own this week. I do something everyday, but I don't always have the time and energy to really work. A few of the songs on my recital are really technically difficult for me because of how they sit in my voice. I'm still considering doing them in other keys, but for now, I want to see how much I can improve them in these keys by just really working the technique. Last night I had a great practice session. It was so good that I didn't want to stop working. On my good days, it's hard to remember not to over do it.

I hope next week goes as well as this one. Solo and Ensemble Contest is on Saturday, so there will lots of organizational stuff that needs to be done in addition to teaching the lessons and making sure the kids are prepared.

Learners vs. Learned

"In times of change, learners inherit the world - while the learned remain beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists." --Eric Hoffer

I just found this quote and I love it.

To me, this quote means that to know a lot is great and wonderful, but in order to really grow and thrive, we need to keep learning. Learning must be an ongoing process. We can't depend on the knowledge we gained last week, or last year. We have to keep learning the things that will help us right now.

To be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. 2 Nephi 9:26
All the knowledge of the world is useless unless we can be open to new knowledge (from God or any other source) that enables us accomplish the things that are most important at that time. But, no knowledge is ever wasted. Everything we know provides a foundation for what we will learn in the future. Everything we encounter is colored by what we know.

One of the things I love about being a singer is that every time I sing a song it is different from any other time I have sung it. Each performance is colored by the new things I have learned about my voice and my life experiences. To expect or even desire to give a performance that is just like another is not only not realistic, it also will lead to stagnant, boring performances. Performances are fresh and engaging when we've practiced and learned all the details, but then allow ourselves to be open to the needs, emotions, and energy of the moment--to learn and experience as we go.

I am learned. I hope to always remain a learner.