By Alex Stoddard
Have you ever done something really hard?
As it turns out, usually the great things in life are hard to obtain or accomplish–as it should. Tom Hanks says it best in A League of Their Own, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”
There’s something special about accepting a challenge, setting goals, pushing yourself to the limit, growing, struggling, and pushing forward, and then accomplishing something great. Sometimes the accomplishment is finishing the task or enduring a trial. Regardless, after all the blood, sweat, and tears, it feels really good.
Later this month more than 700 singers from across the world will take part in the finals of the CS Vocal Competitions at the Classical Singer Convention in Chicago. The energy and excitement of the Convention is almost palpable. Three days of intense competitions and masterclasses represent years of hard work, preparation, and passion. These singers, as you have done countless times before, are taking the challenge and doing something hard.
In reality, preparing for any audition or performing in any competition or performance takes effort, courage, and dedication. It’s hard work. To make matters more difficult, the odds are probably stacked against you.
But that’s not the point. Life is about the “doing”.
Your next audition–whether it be the CS Competition or your next gig–will have its challenges and difficulties. But that’s okay. It’s your next opportunity to accomplish something great. So Bravo, and keep aiming high!
