To: "'VOCALIST'" <vocalist>
Subject: RE: wedding songs
Date sent: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 10:26:07 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

I've handled that by adding a note inside a wedding card saying how much I
enjoyed singing at their wedding and hoped that they enjoyed my gift to
their special day. (Or words to that effect.)

As to your mom's remarks, sometimes people need to be reminded that your
talent does not come cheap, that it takes time and money. You might have
mentioned that the service you performed at the wedding was actually worth
(whatever $$), not $100! You could nicely tell your mother that you already
took care of the gift, and change the subject!

Ruth Anderman-Lanza
732-302-2160


-----Original Message-----
From: Mezzoid-at-aol.com [mailto:Mezzoid-at-aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2000 5:39 PM
To: vocalist
Subject: Re: wedding songs

In a message dated 01/13/2000 4:35:15 PM Central Standard Time,
kandahar-at-ican.net writes:

<< The unfortunate part of this arrangement is that these relatives don't

all fully appreciate the value of my efforts. I'm not sure they always
realize that if I'm not charging, this is their gift!! >>

I recently sang my sister's wedding, which I planned 6 months in advance,
including mailing the music to the organist, discussing it with him on the
phone, setting up rehearsal time, mailing a CD of instrumental music to my
sister for her to pick out the processional/recessional, and bringing a
friend with me (as my "date") who would help me sing the service music, and
my mother said to me a few days before the wedding:

"Christine, I will give you $100 to put into a card for Caroline so that the

relatives will think you gave her something. Otherwise they will think you
are cheap."

ARGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Chris Thomas
Mezzo-Soprano
Wauwatosa, WI

"I love to sing-a, about the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a"