I recenty organised a concert, titled 'An Irish Heart' which took place at 8pm at the Malton Hotel Killarney on St. Patrick's Day. Certain aspects of the planning were stressful; promotion, music organisation, financial planning and, of course, the fear that no one will come! I wanted to create a concert that includes music that is very varied and includes some older, well loved songs as well as some more contemporary Irish music. The most difficult aspect for me was the narrowing down of songs choices as there are so many great Irish songs out there.
One thing that really struck me during all this was the child-like giddiness I was feeling at the thought of singing a concert full of my favourite songs! When I was a child I would visualise myself on a stage singing songs that really meant something to me. My poor friends and family were subjected to being actors and singers in my many 'productions' where I brought my 'visions' to life! In my head there was a huge audience so my scripting had to be just perfect. I would take out a notepad and write down the lyrics to my latest favourite song while plaguing my poor mother with questions on spelling. On one such occasion I asked Mom, 'How do you spell enwhypeedee'? She was totally perplexed and asked me what song this word was from. I couldn't believe she didn't automatically recognise the lyrics from the very popular, 'Fairytale of New York'…'and the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay'. I've never quite lived down that particular spelling error!
As an adult I can now bring my dreams to life and actually perform these songs for an audience. Of course it is a bit scary, but anything worthwhile usually is. One promise I have made to myself is to be true to that young girl who had such clear dreams, huge passion and wonderful ideas. I forgot her for a while. Take my advice and tap back into those days when you too imagined greatness for yourself, it just might change your life... 'You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one'...
One thing that really struck me during all this was the child-like giddiness I was feeling at the thought of singing a concert full of my favourite songs! When I was a child I would visualise myself on a stage singing songs that really meant something to me. My poor friends and family were subjected to being actors and singers in my many 'productions' where I brought my 'visions' to life! In my head there was a huge audience so my scripting had to be just perfect. I would take out a notepad and write down the lyrics to my latest favourite song while plaguing my poor mother with questions on spelling. On one such occasion I asked Mom, 'How do you spell enwhypeedee'? She was totally perplexed and asked me what song this word was from. I couldn't believe she didn't automatically recognise the lyrics from the very popular, 'Fairytale of New York'…'and the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay'. I've never quite lived down that particular spelling error!
As an adult I can now bring my dreams to life and actually perform these songs for an audience. Of course it is a bit scary, but anything worthwhile usually is. One promise I have made to myself is to be true to that young girl who had such clear dreams, huge passion and wonderful ideas. I forgot her for a while. Take my advice and tap back into those days when you too imagined greatness for yourself, it just might change your life... 'You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one'...