Voice Lessons 101

My son has the sweetest voice.  He is always singing in the house or in the car.  This upcoming year at school, he is going to be in the choir and try out for the pop group.  The pop group is an after school commitment and they learn fun songs and go around the community and perform.  I thought it would be a great idea to get him with a vocal coach to help him pick out and work on a try out song for the pop group.  We have an amazing one in the area that comes highly recommended and on Saturday, we went to go meet with him.  Unfortunately, Bryan woke up really not feeling well.  He had some congestion and aches.  I gave him some medicine and talked him into keeping the appointment.  Well, I've never been to a vocal coach before but I have sung on a choir and had an idea of what to expect.  Boy was I wrong.  This was nothing like either of expected.  I'm not saying it was bad and I'm not saying it was good - just not what either of us thought it was going to be like.

There have been very few instances in my life when I've had the chance to truly see into the heart and soul of one of my kids. I can think of a few: my oldest had to have both of her feet reconstructed. It was a year long process that was hard and painful but through it all, I got to really understand her and see inside her heart.  The same goes for when Andrea and Reagan had their tonsils out.  I'm not trying to say that voice lessons are like major surgery but - maybe I am.  It's those times in your life when everything is stripped away and there is nothing left to hide behind.  It exposes your weaknesses and your strengths. That is what this hour did.  I learned more about my son in this hour than I think I've ever really known.  And when it was all said and done - I was really impressed with what I saw.  He is the most amazing kid.  At his core - he is good, really, really good.  I love him so much. 

As we drove away from the lesson, I asked him what he thought about it.  His reply, "Well, that was a waste of 100 dollars." We didn't get out of it what we had hoped - that is for sure.  But what we did get out of it was definitely worth the 100 bucks. 

Bryan - age 13.