The Performer's Future: "Welcome to McDonald's!"

I'm sure that most of you will not see your performing child making the decision to perform for a career; at least, I hope not. It's probably our fault that Greg decided to major in the performing arts -- I like to think that it was inevitable, if only to alleviate some of the worry I've taken on myself about it. When we would ask him what he was planning to do with his expected $100k engineering education, sometime during his junior year, he would say, "I'll gig for a while, maybe do some cruise ships..." But no, where do you think you'd like to be an ENGINEER? Ummmm. So, out pops "would you be happier as a music major?" And the light bulb can literally be seen blocks away -- "can I? Really?"

And so it began. Where it will end, we have no idea. He's had several professional auditions lately, the most recent being yesterday, when he played guitar and sang Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" to try out for  Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (I'm assuming it's a good sign that the director asked him to sing and play a second piece). He's really working hard to find auditions, even asking if I'll go with him to LA or New York (which I'd love to, have to see if the money's there). (And speaking of money, anybody have any jobs available for a 19-year-old with no work experience? No? I didn't think so.)

We've discussed goal setting and review, having him set short- and long-term goals, goals with high and low impact, goals with high and low required effort. And then taking stock after a suitable period. And then adjusting. Are we -- and I really believe this is still a we, even though it's his career and his life, I think he wants and needs support and guidance -- on the right track? I think so. It'll  be an interesting trip, at the very least!

And speaking of goals, have you -- and your performing child -- set yours for 2012? One of my big  goals is to get performersparent.com up and running! And I hope that the info we present there will help you and your children reach some of your goals -- to improve, to entertain, to support and to grow! Happy New Year, all.

As I prepare to attend Andy's first choir concert tonight, I've been thinking back to my own choir concerts in high school. For a while, I sang tenor! We had some terrific voices in Hersey's choir -- I wasn't one of them. But I had a lot of fun. I wasn't in band, because piano, the only thing I played, wasn't a marching band instrument. Watching CLS's marching band, I see it still  isn't! (And why is that, I want to know!)

Where does interest and talent in music or performing come from? You see it run in families sometimes -- one of Greg's best friends, Connor, is a truly exceptional musician, and his dad plays at a high level and people in mom's family sing. Another friend, a sax player, has a talented drummer dad and music teacher mom. In my family, my father always sang (but when he sang with my godfather, we wished they would stop -- both had good voices, but together they were ... well, not at their best); but my mother, she will admit, has a tin ear. She played French horn in high school, she says, only because everyone had to play an instrument. A couple of my brothers have some musical talent -- one began taking piano lessons again when his kids were younger,  and his twin brother played guitar for a while (and his guitar is now one of Greg's prized possessions). But my aunt, mom's sister, has three daughters, and I've never heard of any of them playing anything (my aunt owns a piano, but I doubt anyone really ever played), and as far as I know, none of their kids have displayed an interest in music. I suspect my aunt shares my mom's musical dis-ability.

What about your family? Do you or your child's other parent have performing ability? Was it passed along to your kids -- or were you pleasantly surprised by their talent? Is there a "performance" gene? There's your topic -- discuss!

Off to the choir concert. Look for pix soon!