To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: re:nerves
Date sent: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 15:01:53 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Hi,

I have to share a recent experience with you all. My 7-year-old son just
started studying violin this summer, and this weekend was involved in a
student recital where he played one of the tunes in the exercise book
they're all using. Initially, he was perfectly ok with the idea of
performing, but a couple of days beforehand, he started getting nervous,
saying he wasn't looking forward to it very much. I worried he wasn't
emotionally ready to perform yet, or didn't have the confidence to do it
yet, or that I was pushing (I swear I don't think I am!!!) and I would do
untold damage to his musical development by asking him to do something he
didn't want to do. (I think I was more nervous about killing his interest
than he was about performing.) I told him how much fun I discovered it was
once I got on stage the first time. I told him to tell himself, "I'm
prepared, I've worked hard, I'll do a good job" and I tried to make him
understand this is about everyone showing how much they've learned since
they've started studying, not about comparing themselves to each other.

Well, the day arrived and all the performers sat together in one section of
the audience. He was 17th to play out of maybe 25 players (the whole thing
took an hour). As he watched, he became more and more eager to play. I saw
the excitement growing in his face and realized I was raising A PERFORMER!!
I realized how much I dread the pre-performance days, but when it's time to
get up and do it, I can't wait. When it was finally his turn, he got up on
stage and played well, with complete child-like ease and his innate
musicality showing through. I only hope he can maintain that joy and
eagerness as he studies and performs more.

>From one kvelling mom,
Susan May Schneider
smschneider-at-earthlink.net