Lights, spotlight, first note. The same sequence that has followed the majority of my solo performances over the years. A personal favorite time of mine, the copious amounts of honey tea packed into 3 separate flasks for rehearsals, the worried look on Mr. Kim’s face as he see’s me slowly weeding out any cold beverage from my diet, thinking i’m on the cusp of my yearly musical sickness.

The Winter Gala, a traditional OSC event that takes place every other

year, bringing closure to the tense academic year and providing artists with a moment of respite amongst the numerous assignments. The 3 hours of pure music always feels like an escape from any other responsibilities. The ” studying can wait”, I thought in the green rooms, knowing I would probably stress later, but only after the performance was done.

This years theme was spirituality, not necessarily religious, but a song that means something to you. I had a plethora of numbers to chose from, but when I started playing the 4th number on my list, A song for you, originally by Leon Russel but popularized by Donny Hathaway. The slow, jazz and soul feel to the song that illustrates a persons journey through self discovery fit the theme perfectly.

Over the last 2 years since the last winter Gala, iv grown as a performer in terms of vocal and technically maturity on the piano. This song is something I couldn’t have tackled 2 years ago, even 1 year ago, but now as my own improvisational style adapts I was able to create a version of this song that is unique to myself and my playing style.

After hours and hours of meticulous practice, the moment to show the product of my work had come.

Spotlight, mic check, adjust the stand, first note.

Honestly, it couldn’t have gone better. One of my final solo performances as an OSC student went without mistakes, and on the back of this performance high I also performed my solo piece with the Ensemble. The post concert sadness hit without warning, like it always does, but the recordings that have echoed through my house paired with my parents wide proud grins makes any amount of practice worth it a million times over.

I cant wait for the next concert, fittingly, my final Gala falls under the theme of Musical Theatre. A genre, as i’m sure you know by my other posts, I am very familiar with. I’v already started planning it, and the days I will inevitably give up in preperation for the concert, I guess i’ll have to start working now 🙂