mrs. h

when i was really little i thought i couldnt sing.  my ma always turned on the radio as soon as i opened my mouth..  so i just assumed that i was really awful.

i always thought mrs. h wasnt all that crazy about my singing either.  i was in the methodist church choir... dragged my dad with me to join when i was 14.  i was the only kid in the adult choir.  and there were solos.. and i auditioned.. and never once did she even consider me.

(bummed)

so, at the end of my sophomore year in high school.. my best friend literally dragged me down to the choir room to audition for a spot in the choir the following year.  i sang a few scales.  the choir director said.. 'nice chops, kid' and shooed me out the door.  the following day, the upperclassmen from the choir were supposed to tap the kids who made the cut.  it was seventh period.  all my friends were tapped, but not me. 

(deflated)

at the end of eighth period.. the person who was supposed to tap me came bursting through the door.  apparently, she had trouble finding me.  so.. i was in.

(elation)

summer ends.  and class begins.  last period of the day.. choir.  there is talk of a new teacher. 
in walks mrs. h. 
(what the hell is she doing here?)

'i am your new choir director'  she says.

(great)

we get through the first few weeks of class, and we are informed that she will be holding auditions for a solo.  i audition.. knowing full well.. she isnt gonna give it to me.  but there's a twist.  each choir member is to write on a small sheet of paper, their thoughts about each person auditioning, and who they think should get the solo.

they all chose me.  (how the hell did that happen.. i cant sing..)

she suggested i sing in the solo and ensemble competition (why?)  ok.
i won a superior rating.
after that.. mrs. h took me aside and said.. 'there are some singers who should perform, and others who should teach.. i suggest you consider college as a performance major.'

later that same year, i was designated to sing in the all county chorus.  there was a solo.  i auditioned.  my ma was in the audience during the rehearsal.. and heard my audition.  she whispered in mrs. h's ear.. after hearing me.. 'was that my son?'

the rest is history.

(when i was much older and established as a singer..  i finally got around to asking my ma why she always used to turn on the radio when i started to sing.  she said.. 'bay, honey.. you always sang the same thing over and over.. i was just trying to give you new material.')

hahahhahhahahha.. whew.