Lending your voice!
If you are singer blessed with a beautiful voice. You have a talent and a skill set that sets you apart from other people. Don’t forget to do good with your gift.
I have sung in many an Opera and concert, but one of the things I most cherish doing, is lending my voice to family and friends for life cycle occasions. These are non- paid gigs I am talking about to be clear. Gifts that you give people with your song.
This year I have sung at a friends wedding, another friends baby naming, and I am warming up right now to sing at my close friend’s grandmothers funeral. This is something I always volunteer to do for people that are important in my life. I hope and think they know they can count on me to be an active part in their services and rituals. It gives them a personalization to a life cycle event that they can’t get through a hired singer which is fabulous, plus it puts you up front and in the middle of an important event in someones life that you care about. That is a great gift to yourself.
How fun it is for me that I never have to watch the bride and groom from the pews, rather I am right up front with them, living such a magical moment. Most people don’t get to experience those things. Even during tough events such as funerals it is so meaningful to give of yourself and be so close to the ritual itself. It keeps you on your toes regarding your own life, wakes you up to other peoples trials, and gives you an opportunity to share your voice and help to heal others with it.
A beautiful voice is a powerful tool. Put that together with a well selected song and you can really lift an experience for people. So don’t forget to volunteer. People may not ask you for fear of imposing on you. It is your job to offer, in a way were they know you mean it but are not obliging them.
And make it clear that it is a gift for them, not something they will have to pay you for. We don’t need our friends to pay us to sing, let’s leave that world separate for these occasions.
written by: Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD), and author of Vocalize!
Tags: singing, singing at funerals, singing at weddings, the gift of singing, volunteering your singing voice
Similar Posts
