Can You Carry a Tune?

From a very young age, my Mom encouraged me and my sister, Sara to sing. We sang together in church, for Sunday School programs, and when we grew older, we both sang in the high school concert choir. From 10th-12th grade, I was fortunate enough to attend District choir, and in 11th and 12th grade, I made it as far as Regional Choir (which is one step further than Districts.) In order to be considered for these special choir events, one had to audition in this manner: You were taken to a room and before entering, you were told what song to sing and how many stanzas to sing. Upon entering the room, you were not allowed to talk. There were 3 judges in the room, with their backs to you. You were given the starting note with a pitch pipe. And then you sang acapella. You were then judged against all of the other auditioners based on pitch, tone, enunciation, and dynamics. And you thought American Idol was tough!

Singing at these events was quite an experience. If you secured a place in one of these select choirs, you got to travel to the hosting school and stay with a family in that school district for a couple of days. During those days, you practiced. And practiced. And practiced some more. Then as a culmination of all your hard work, a concert was held on Saturday afternoon. The stage was alive with color as each participant wore a choir robe in their school colors. Ours was maroon and white. And I wore it (and my aviator goggles) with pride.

Regional Choir Participants from Montrose High School, circa March 1990. Can you pick me out?

 Believe it or not, this trip down memory lane has something to do with my new 4 part sampler series that will be released at Nashville. Even if you are someone who can't carry a tune in a bucket, take heart, as now you can Sing a Sampler! Here's a sneak peek of what's to come:

Peek of Part 1

Peek of Part 2

 I'll have you (or at least you needle) humming in no time!
Thanks for stopping by the creek. I'm glad you came!
 Diane