The entry where I sound like a soprano
I mulled over my mini-crisis for a while in the shower this morning, and again on the way back up to the house after putting the boys on the bus. I thought at first that I would just email my choir director, but I didn’t really know what to say. Then I thought I would write about it in my super-secret online diary, but I remembered that no one in choir reads that, and I think that I do need some input from Joe Q. Public in this situation. Or I might need someone to slap me in the face and tell me I’m crazy.
Nonetheless! I felt rejected and overlooked last night and it may just be a rare moment in which I feel like a selfish, ungrateful soprano.
During a rehearsal over choir retreat weekend, I was given a solo on one of the pieces we are doing this coming Sunday. I marked it in my music and called it good. Then in choir rehearsal last night, the choir director turned to another soprano and asked if she would sing it.
I was so confused that I did nothing. I said nothing. I sang through the rest of the piece without a problem and we moved on through the rest of the rehearsal as if it it didn’t happen.
So here’s the dilemma: do I ask my director if she is giving the solo to the other soprano this Sunday? Do I assume that she was just experimenting and just needed to hear it in a different voice?
The other soprano used to be in choir before I arrived and has been touted as one of the best sopranos the choir ever had who had to move. Now she’s back and I’m glad to have a new, strong soprano in my section. I hold no grudges against her or have any ill-feelings about her being there. I’m just confused about this particular situation.
If, indeed, my choir director turns to her for the solo Sunday morning, I don’t know if I should just let it go. My feelings will be hurt, yes, because I was originally asked to do the solo. But I don’t like uncomfortable situations, calling anyone out, etc. Usually, if my feelings are hurt, I bury the hurt and move on; confrontation is not on the list of Things I Enjoy. In fact, if I can avoid confrontation for the rest of my life, I would be perfectly happy.
Now that I am counting down the last year of my twenties, though, I think it’s time I stand up for myself. I need to start confronting those who hurt me. Maybe it’s a stupid thing to feel hurt about, the solo, but it’s a small item on a long list of things I feel need to be addressed before it’s too late. If I start there, I can work up the courage to ask my father why he and his wife won’t come to visit the grandson they haven’t met.
Emily November 12, 2009 at 11:17 am
If the sopranos’ roles were reversed and the choir director had promised it to the other but then had you sing it, wouldn’t you expect her to take the director aside and quick check in about it? I would, and btw I would also assume this about altos, tenors, baritones, and basses.
It’s OK to have a conversation to clear up confusion. It’s even OK to talk about the confusion hurting your feelings. And the chat can be brief, matter-of-fact, and focused on next steps.
Please tell us what you decide to do and how it goes!
Pam November 12, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Hey – I think I would just ask the question, talk about the confusion, and clear it up. You are both great singers and you both sang it well. I assumed it had already been worked out and that the director was just giving you a break because you do so much for us! Anyway… see you Sunday.
Lizzie November 13, 2009 at 11:43 am
Thanks, Pam. I emailed her last night. Jamie convinced me that I shouldn’t just try to ignore how I feel.
Emily, I totally agree. Thanks!
Emily November 17, 2009 at 1:01 am
(((hugs))) I hate situations that call for some type of action. So annoying! I am def. one to shove it under the rug unless it is actually a big deal. But you know, choosing to deal w/ stuff shows me that usually working it out w/ the other person wasn’t so hard. But still out of the comfort zone! Hope things get smoothed out soon. with your dad too…….