Thursday, April 17, 2008

The Solo Competition

I was thinking about the Music Camp Solo Competitions today.

Given my lack of talent, and my fear of public performance (I could barely make it though my vocal test at the beginning and end of each camp), I never participated in the solo competition, but I remember sitting through many competition nights.

When I went to Junior Music camp in the early ‘80’s, I think the instrumental solo piece was pre-selected. I believe there was one piece for ‘A’ Band students and one for ‘B’ Band. I think the vocal students could choose their own song, from the Song Book or Songs of Faith book. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!)

Two selections that stick out in my mind are “The Blue Bells of Scotland” for instrumental, and “I Know He Cares For Me” was popular with the vocal students. They come to mind when I think of the solo competition.

What are your Solo Competition memories?

2 comments:

Sue Matthews said...

I remember a few things about the solo competitions. I remember Judith starting to cry while she was singing and then running off the stage. I also remember someone being on stage singing and one of the faculty dogs was singing along outside. I don't remember who it was that was singing, but that must have been distracting!

I just remember really hating having to sit there so quietly all night long while the judging happened.

Anonymous said...

I remember Phil Rayment winning pretty much every year in instrumental.
As well as Sue, I hated sitting there all night. Quiet and I don't go well together. At age 7 it was torture.