I must have played the pieces over a hundred times. And it’s not like I’m playing a solo tonight. I suppose it’s been a long time since I played in public, but I’m trying to remember if I always got so worked up before a concert.
I know it will be fine I just need to keep the butterflies under control.
joursdemots 
It’s being nervous that sparks a good performance. Remember to take an extra hanky for wiping sweaty hands on. (Viv is ever the pragmatist) We’re looking forward to the concert tonight.
You might like to look at my musical poem which I slaved over yesterday and today, at http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/
Glad you enjoyed tonight’s performance. Thanks for coming down to Donville to hear us; it was great to meet you and Jock. I hope you got back safely.
Yes, we did, through the fog, and I am sipping hot chocolate now. We loved the concert, and thanks for telling us about it.
As often as I’ve read in public, I still obsess and twinge. Bon Chance. You’ll be fine.
Thanks Ron. It wasn’t as bad as I thought.
Deep breaths.. and imagine the audience isn’t there, I’ve heard that a little bit of nervousness is good for a performance.
As usual it was the people I knew in the audience that made it hard to ignore. But yes, the nerves gave it a bit of an edge. We were in a modern church with quite flat acoustics so difficult to hide the mistakes. Tomorrow we are in an ancient church in Avranches so will need to play more lightly, but it should be easier.
You need the adrenalin to perform well. Good luck 🙂
Thanks. I’d forgotten the rush you get at the end of a performance. I found myself thinking ‘so that’s why I put myself through this.’ I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s programme now.
I believe that if you weren’t nervous it would be called being ‘tainted.’
Good luck — I’m sure you’ll be wonderful
Thanks Brenda. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and we had an appreciative audience.
You’ll be great! Nice butterflies too.
Thanks Johanna. It was a lot better than I thought it might be.
Thanks for the bons mots guys. This is a quick response as I’m dashing off to the dress rehearsal. I’ll let you know how it went.
I am glad that the program went well and that you played well. Best of wishes also for the performance in Binic. 🙂
Mrs. Jim plays the viola. She played in our church orchestra until a couple of years ago. Playing the viola was a mid life change for her. She has played the piano since early childhood.
For one Christmas performance when the church hired some professionals to fill in around the edges, her very favorite teacher was there playing the violin. The music was very hard that year and her teacher gave her some advice which I will pass on to you.
She said, “YOU DON’T HAVE TO PLAY EVERY NOTE (when there was danger of getting behind or losing place or playing wrong notes because of confusion).” That helped Mrs. Jim a whole lot but very seldom did she need to skip a not.
“They” say that every performer and every speaker is nervous for the performance. Probably a bad sign but I do think I am pretty laid back in the speaking area. Probably comes from teaching all my life.
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BTW, Mrs. Jim is still the orchestra librarian, volunteer, getting every player’s folder filled with the correct music for each Sunday.
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Can I confide in you? I skipped a few notes last night but don’t tell anyone!
Lucky Mrs Jim. Suffering from empty nest blues in my mid 40’s I wanted to learn a new instrument, settling on the viola for its gorgeous rich sound. Sadly, the price of a new instrument was beyond my pocket, so I picked up my daughter’s left-behind clarinet and learned that instead. Fortunately, some music written for viola works well on the wind instrument.
Just an endnote to say the concert in Avranches was delightful. We played in a really old church with a cavernous nave, to a packed house. Another really appreciative audience, and the Guitar Concerto sounded amazing in the church with much bouncier acoustics.
I was sad to say goodbye afterwards. The next concert (Puccini) is in December and by then my writing time will be over and I will be back in Blighty, hopefully building my business again. Of course, I will come back for the concert and to renew my new acquaintances. Now I am looking forward to next weekend and the Masterclass. I have heard a lot about that part of Brittany and it is apparently really beautiful.
I performed a lot over the years (piano, some singing) and I never stopped getting nervous. I hope it went well for you!
Thanks for playing 6WS!
It’s really a good thing, would you really want to feel anything else….the more to heart you are….it’s a good thing really!