The Winter Gala. One of OSC most grand events. This event which was originally called Music Maker was an event like no other, put together through Mrs. Loretta Duncan, this event had the talent of all kinds. These talents included bands, guitarist, musical ensembles, violinist and many more. Then there was me, A amateur beatboxer that has never performed live in front of audience thrown into the mix with these multitalented students. So I was pretty scared when Mrs. Duncan asked me to beatbox for the Boys Voice singing group and pretty hesitant if I do say so myself.
The group started official rehearsals on the first week of ASAs. we were given the lyrics of the songs that the group will be singing. Mrs. Duncan told me that the song that I will be beatboxing for is “It Feels Like Home by Sigala and Sean Paul”. I was also told that I will be beatboxing at the bridge of the song.
Wherever I lay my hat’s my home
Tell me where you are and girl I’m gone – this is the bridge of the song that I had to beatbox for.
Meet me at LAX, won’t be long
I’ll be right there you won’t have to search
Call us a Lyft, my Uber don’t work
I’m good everywhere, I go
Practices were pretty stressful because I had to come up with beat myself, I had to listen to the music and match the beats I make to it. I hit a lot of roadblocks and I had a lot of challenges. I got to the point where I just couldn’t make a beat at all. However, Mrs. Duncan brought in Aanaf to help out with a concert and he ended helping me create the beat I need to make by demonstrating it on he is keyboard via the drum kit mode.
After months of hard work and preparation, the day finally came. December 6th, 2018 at 7:00 pm, the annual OSC Winter Gala began. The Boys Voice group was the penultimate performance of the entire show. I was pretty nervous but also really excited about the whole performance. I knew I was prepared but that looming feeling of utter failure dawned upon. After a long time of waiting the time for us to perform came.
As we went and the music began, I felt in this lump in my throat. I was scared and frightened I just stood there until my part came. I felt the music get longer. then the bridge came, I brought the mike to my throat and I started to beatbox. After that everything felt natural and I was calm. The song finished shortly after and I was relieved, I was so happy that I fought through all my fear and performed to my best ability.