I used to teach at a music and arts academy. Every year they’d have a big Christmas party for staff. Several years ago Hubs and I attended. Seating was by department – dance teachers’ table, gymnastics teachers’ table, theatre, art, office workers, and we, of course, sat with the music teachers.
There was a Christmas carol quiz at each seat, so while we enjoyed our sumptuous dinner, we tried to name the carols in the quiz, some of which were tricky, such as “Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully”. After dinner, there were door prizes, and then the director had us verbally answer the questions.
Then, whoever had gotten 15 correct on their written quiz were to stand. Next, whoever got 16 right could remain standing and the others would sit, then 17 right, etc. Of course the music teachers did best of all. When she got to who got all 23 correct, another teacher and I were the only ones left standing. The director said we would break the tie with a singing contest! The other teacher was the voice teacher.
I immediately insisted that he go first. So kind of me! …but actually I was buying myself time to plan. While he began a drop-dead gorgeous, operatic rendition of Silent Night (playing too, as there was a piano), I racked my brain. We had just done Go Tell It on the Mountain that past Sunday in church (at that time I played/sang/directed the contemporary band), I knew the lyrics cold, and it was only three chords. I just had to transpose it down because I’m an alto, so I was mentally trying to find my most reliable high note. The voice teacher finished, to thunderous applause (winner to be determined by audience reaction) and I stepped up to the front.
Quickly picking out my vocal comfort zone, I chose my key. I do sing professionally, but I’m not amazing. My forte is harmonizing. But I do love singing and playing blues and that is my best genre. I launched into a slow, bluesy, gospelly version of Go Tell It, complete with lots of blues piano riffs. The audience began clapping along, correctly on 2 and 4 (no doubt spurred by Hubs – also a musician) as there were many musicians and dancers. I sang and played it with as much gusto and soul as I could muster. At the finish there was raucous applause and hooting and hollering. And I won! It was a Christmas miracle!
And it was especially sweet since as an introvert, I’d always seemed kind of like an outsider at the school and now I felt more accepted. I did feel somewhat bad for the voice teacher, who was technically way better. A fun and fond memory!
Inner Voice 