A CAPITOL FOURTH: FOUR REHEARSALS

I'm so impressed with the level of excellence I've experienced since being asked to participate in "A Capitol Fourth". I'm especially impressed with the very polite, well-mannered, and delightful David Archuleta. No arrogance or swelled head with this talented young man! I'm also happy I had a chance to meet his mom, Lupe. It's funny. All three of us background singers are old enough to be his mom! My own daughter is 10 years older than David. As old school as I am, it is SO refreshing that, in spite of his notoriety, he demonstrates such respect for his mom. That respect, then, carries over to everyone else he meets. He has been so gracious to all of us. God knows I can't stand, and don't have patience for bratty, smart-mouthed, disrespectful, kids who have been informed of their rights, but not the responsibilities that go along with them. David is a breath of fresh air, and I pray that he doesn't allow the trappings of fame to chip away at the standards that Lupe has clearly set. I can't say it enough. Good home training goes a long way.

There have been four rehearsals. The first was on Thursday afternoon with Jerry Grossman on piano, and Jack Everly, conductor of the NSO. Lori, Vickie, and I met David for the first time. We were given sheet music, and from the moment we all sang together, it was as if we were a musical family. We got suggestions from Mr. Everly concerning the end of the song, and he told David to take all the time he wanted. Of course, I was happy to be singing alto, and couldn't have been more delighted by the blend. It must have worked because David was pleased, too. To me, that's all that matters. 
If you're a background singer, your job is one of support. There's already a leader in place. Push him or her--not with random noise, uncontrolled adlibs or distracting onstage antics--but with the tight, harmonious vocals a song calls for. Being a background singer is a nice way to affirm the voice of someone else, and help make their job easier. 
I just kept remembering what someone told me a long time ago, "Be prepared, do your best. You are valuable. Don't go in without having done your homework". David's not some whining teeny bopper. He's not a singer one can easily dismiss because of his age, either. It is so apparent that he loves to sing. That's different than loving the sound of one's own voice. I like good singing. No. I ADORE good singing. God knows I'm happy when a singer not only performs a song, but communicates it. I think, by now, I know "heart" when I hear it. David's vocals seemed to get better with each rehearsal. Some people need background vocals to camouflage the fact that they can't really carry a tune. That's not the case with David.

The second rehearsal on Friday morning was at The Kennedy Center, where we were accompanied by the NSO. David's voice and the never disappointing symphony was breathtaking. For such a young man, he has an old soul, and it resonates.
At the same rehearsal, we had an opportunity to hear John Schneider rehearse his script and song. (We agreed it would have been nice to add some BGV's to his smooth rendition of "When The Saints Go Marching In". It's true. Singers like to sing every chance they can get...lol.)

The third rehearsal, yesterday morning (primarily for camera blocking) was at the venue on the Capitol grounds. As we sat in the tent, David came in and we all were goofing around with different vocal warm-ups. Catering provided my favorite Tazo and Bigelow teas, too. 
When the director called for us to come to the stage, again, David knocked his vocals out of the park. He clearly provided a treat for sightseers who happened to be passing by. Applause was coming from all directions. Before we even got home, a delighted, and obviously trembling fan had already posted the rehearsal on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TdZ-ZtzhAk

Last night's dress rehearsal was a true dress rehearsal in the sense that this afternoon's performance can't possibly get any better. Old church folk would say that David "felt his help coming on" because he gave a little bit more. It meant something to fans that he was actually there and didn't send a representative. The crowd was especially engaging and responded positively, though --even when "A Capitol Fourth" staffers stood in for headliners who hadn't yet arrived. Again, video of the rehearsal made it to youtube before I could put my key in my front door.

It's been a wonderfully pleasant musical experience all around. I couldn't be more grateful. I've met some incredibly gifted people. Walter Miller, Lang Lang, Reba McIntire's guitarist, James Kimball and of course members of the Choral Society and NSO were friendly and kind. The atmosphere on the west lawn is so lovely. It's been a good day.

Now if I could just borrow Michelle Obama's arms for this evening, it would be perfect.