Saturday, January 30, 2010

Standing For Something

Last week I auditioned for this competition. I received a phone call the next day which communicated that I was a semi-finalist. I was one of 20 people who sang last night. I sang THINK OF ME from Phantom of the Opera. It went well and I was very pleased with my performance. The auditions were judged by 3 judges, but the finalists (10 best from last night) were determined by votes from friends, family, & those who attended the festival. I sang well last night - but I didn't ask any family or friends to vote for me, so I figured that I wouldn't be a finalist. The votes cost $1 each - it's a fundraiser for a Catholic church. Today I went to the festival and found out that I was a finalist - I was surprised, someone I don't even know voted for me! All the singers sang popular radio songs and I was the ONLY classically trained singer there. I think the old people voted for me. Ha ha! Anyhow, so tonight I sang CLIMB EV'RY MOUNTAIN and it went well.

The announcer said that all the finalists should return tomorrow and if you're the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place winner - you will sing again. The prizes are $2,000; $1,000; $500. Well, I mentioned this to Anna, my daughter, and she replied, "Mama, isn't tomorrow Sunday? Would this be a reverant activity?" After I thought about what Anna had said, Tyler & I both decided that I had gained enough from this experience already and that I didn't need to return tomorrow to see if I'd won or not. An outdoor carnival/festival isn't the type of activity that I would attend on a Sunday. For me it is a sacred day set aside for going to church, worshipping God, spending time with family, resting, helping others, and any other wholesome activity. I am grateful to my God who has freely blessed me with the talent of singing and I wish to share it just as freely with others, without the thought of financial gain. I am also grateful to my daughter, Anna, who knows the gospel of Jesus Christ and who is already an example of what it means to stand for something.

7 comments:

Mary said...

Congratulations!!!!! That's really awesome!

Diana said...

Congratulations all the way around...both to you and to Anna :-). Have a beautiful Sabbath!

Karen J said...

Good for you!!!

nicole said...

Yay! That's wonderful that she was such a great example to you, and that you made the right choice to honor the Sabbath. I'm sure she was watching to see what you would do. What a great example. You're awesome Jill!!

James and Cari said...

Good for you!

Maria said...

But you have to let us know the results!! lol

Sarah C said...

You are a great example to everyone. I am glad you had a good experience with the competition.