Well, I think my project is going along pretty well, just a little slower than what I expected. I have all of my paper work turned in to the proper people, but I’m still waiting on several more approvals from the president of the university, our advisor, the dean of students, as well as my new chairman of the music department. And with that said, that just means that it’s going to take longer for my project to get off the ground and thrive on Xavier’s campus. I just wish that everything would start to show signs of life really soon. I also hope that I can atleast see a little bit of growth before I graduate in about a year and a half. But, in the mean time I have been working on my junior recital coming up this spring. I am extremely excited! My recital is going to include nothing but English, German, Italian, and French compositions. I have my music down pact, I just have a few things to work on such as memorization. I know now that I have to practice regularly without skipping one day. Long rehearsals are no substitute for daily practice. Practice with one small goal or improvement in mind each day. Isolate technical problems and work on a one- or two-measure passage. Focus on the downbeat and upbeat where there are rhythm problems. Work very slowly where there are fingering or pitch-change problems. Memorize your musical presentation. Get a CD of a professional performing your repertoire, if possible. Listen to this CD and incorporate any styles that you and your teacher feel are musical. Improve your music memorization skill by humming or whistling the melodies when walking or traveling in your car. Become thoroughly prepared. This builds confidence. Create a schedule or to-do list. Write down deadlines for accomplishing certain tasks. Plan to tackle difficult projects at the times of day when you are most alert. Schedule time for people, including yourself. Create some personal time by waking up half an hour earlier or going to bed half an hour later than usual; plan a weekly date with your spouse, or arrange to have lunch with friends. Prioritize what you need to accomplish. “Pareto’s principle” states that 80 percent of your accomplishments come from 20 percent of your efforts, so think strategically: Locate and isolate this valuable 20 percent, then focus your efforts on the tasks that promise the greatest rewards. Delegate as many chores as you can. Hand out projects to subordinates at work, recruit your children to help with household chores, hire a gardener to maintain your lawn. Learn to say no to nonessential demands on your time. Don’t volunteer for a committee if you don’t have time, and decline invitations to events you don’t have time to attend. Overcome procrastination. Avoid perfectionism. Don’t waste time obsessively perfecting a task when you could better spend the time on something else. I also need to work on my time managment by creating a schedule or to-do list. Write down deadlines for accomplishing certain tasks. Plan to tackle difficult projects at the times of day when you are most alert. Schedule time for people, including yourself. Create some personal time by waking up half an hour earlier or going to bed half an hour later than usual; plan a weekly date with your spouse, or arrange to have lunch with friends. Prioritize what you need to accomplish. “Pareto’s principle” states that 80 percent of your accomplishments come from 20 percent of your efforts, so think strategically: Locate and isolate this valuable 20 percent, then focus your efforts on the tasks that promise the greatest rewards. Delegate as many chores as you can. Hand out projects to subordinates at work, recruit your children to help with household chores, hire a gardener to maintain your lawn. Learn to say no to nonessential demands on your time. Don’t volunteer for a committee if you don’t have time, and decline invitations to events you don’t have time to attend. Overcome procrastination. Avoid perfectionism. Don’t waste time obsessively perfecting a task when you could better spend the time on something else. I also learned how to publicize my up and coming event by writing a one-page news release describing the recital, the musicians, the musical program and the time, date and place. Include the phone number of a contact person for additional information. Obtain portrait-sized, black-and-white photographs of your musicians, or schedule a photo session. Get several different poses. Arrange to have posters or flyers drawn, composed on a computer or printed. Distribute your news release and photos to local newspapers, radio stations and television stations at least two weeks before the event. Take them to editors and news directors in person. Ask local music directors and teachers to announce your recital at their meetings, rehearsals and classes, and in their newsletters. Post your release on your organization’s Web site, if you have one. Send reminders by postcard, e-mail or telephone a week before the event. Go directly to local stores and ask permission to post your flyers in store windows a week or two before the event. Give flyers to interested parties to post on bulletin boards at work and at clubs. I am thinking realistic here. I know that most likely not a lot of people are going to show up to my performance, but that is okay, I’m still going to try and do the best that I can. I just need to work on some of my pre-jitters. Review the performance skills you have practiced and learned.
Prepare all your work thoroughly. Knowing your job will greatly reduce your anxiety. Double-check that I have the correct printed editions of all your music. To put myself in control of everything within my sphere of influence. For instance, to check out my performance space. Avoid being rushed or distracted on the day of your performance. Practice your relaxation skills before performing. As well as to take an imaginary journey through your performance from beginning to end, soothing your mind during the quiet time before your entry. Use deep breathing to calm your body. Offer myself as the medium through which the composer’s or playwright’s spirit and intention will flow. Be generous and eager to share my gift. Make your performance a celebration, not a trial. And then I will know that what I have to offer is valuable and a gift to my audience as well as myself.

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