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Photo by Matt Neretin
One of the hardest things about cancer was losing my singing voice. The debilitating effects of radiation and chemo took away the top octave of my range.
During my recovery, I was introduced to a singing teacher who was also a cancer survivor. She promised me that, in time, my voice would return.
Progress has been slow and frustrating, but the more I have run in training for the NYC Marathon, the stronger my voice has become.
Last week, I was given the awesome opportunity of singing with the Buck's Rock Orchestra for the Tribute Show. The theme this year was "Dance Music," and the orchestra's contribution was "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady.
While I love me some Lerner and Loewe, it's not repertoire that is usually in my book. I'm more of a belter, and there's an E flat at the end of "I Could Have Danced All Night" that even pre-cancer me would not have loved.
Due to musical rehearsals, I did not have a chance to sing with the orchestra until the day before the concert. My phrasing was a mess. The high E flat was not pretty. But, it was exciting to be singing again.
Between rehearsal and the night of the show, I went for a nice long run. I warmed up my voice, put on my pretty new dress, and slipped into a pair of heels.
The gong rang thrice, and it was show time.
Standing on stage in front a Buck's Rock audience is the best. It is always a warm and forgiving crowd. It's so nice to get a cheer just from walking out on stage!
The song went great, and ya'll, I even hit the E flat! IT WAS THRILLING! I felt like I could have sung all night. Big thanks to Bruce and the Orchestra for inviting me to sing.
Definitely more running and singing to come!
During my recovery, I was introduced to a singing teacher who was also a cancer survivor. She promised me that, in time, my voice would return.
Progress has been slow and frustrating, but the more I have run in training for the NYC Marathon, the stronger my voice has become.
Last week, I was given the awesome opportunity of singing with the Buck's Rock Orchestra for the Tribute Show. The theme this year was "Dance Music," and the orchestra's contribution was "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady.
While I love me some Lerner and Loewe, it's not repertoire that is usually in my book. I'm more of a belter, and there's an E flat at the end of "I Could Have Danced All Night" that even pre-cancer me would not have loved.
Due to musical rehearsals, I did not have a chance to sing with the orchestra until the day before the concert. My phrasing was a mess. The high E flat was not pretty. But, it was exciting to be singing again.
Between rehearsal and the night of the show, I went for a nice long run. I warmed up my voice, put on my pretty new dress, and slipped into a pair of heels.
The gong rang thrice, and it was show time.
Standing on stage in front a Buck's Rock audience is the best. It is always a warm and forgiving crowd. It's so nice to get a cheer just from walking out on stage!
The song went great, and ya'll, I even hit the E flat! IT WAS THRILLING! I felt like I could have sung all night. Big thanks to Bruce and the Orchestra for inviting me to sing.
Definitely more running and singing to come!
We have nearly reached my goal of raising $5000 towards leukemia research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center!
Can you help me over the finish line and make cancer history?
Can you help me over the finish line and make cancer history?
2 Comments
I would have loved to be there to see/hear you! Roberta
I wish you could have been too, Roberta! Sending you oodles of love!