Hi all, I was just wondering how long other singers like myself have been learning to sing and what your best experience is. I have myself been learning to sing for 11 years and my best experience (is in my signature) was when I sang with members of my stagecoach in a choir for Rod Stewart.

I've been learning since I was 8 and am still learning now at 53.
My best experience was at a concert at which I sang some Madeleine Dring songs. During the interval a man came up to me and said how exquisite the top B was at the end of one of her songs (I think it was My heart is like a singing bird), and how Madeleine would have loved my interpretation of The nightclub proprietress. He then said, "She was my wife, you know".
Moral - always sing your absolute best - you never know who is in the audience. I treasure the letter he sent to me afterwards.

I have had a few good experiences. Singing the alto solos in the St John Passion this Easter with a small orchestra of professional musicians was REALLY good. But the best for me was when I sang an unaccompanied folk song at a festival and realised when I had finished singing, in the silence before the applause, that I had touched the audience. Winning the class was the icing on the cake!

Val

PS I'm also still learning at 53, though unfortunately I didn't start as young as AnnC.

I've been singing as in with lessons etc since I was in year 9, so 13... and I think that of all my singing experiences the one that comes to mind first was our school Celebration of Christmas, 1996. My sister and I wrote the cantata for the concerts and I sang the part of Mary, plus we won the local schools carol competition and had to go and perform in the local concert hall. That year really was my best 'singing experience' even though it was lots of things nad not just one individual thing!

Funny things computers........it seems I posted a reply before I'd actually written it!

I've been learning to sing for 5 and a half years, although I've always sung in choirs and so on and I'm 48 now. It's been the most exhilarating, frustrating but rewarding years of my life (so far). My teacher still inspires me even though I now teach others myself.

My best experience - well there have been several...........my first distinction at Grade 7, passing my Dip performance, getting my CTABRSM, realising that my teacher was telling the truth (in the early years) and so passing the audition for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and after a tour,talking with Sir Neville Marriner and having his message and signature inscribed in my Mozart Requiem score. Realising that I CAN SING and that people will pay to hear me. Believe me, life may begin at 40 , but actually real fulfilment can come later than that.

Singing is an absolute joy, what a shame morepeople don't experience it!

I think (and hope) one of my best experiences will be tomorrow. It's my first Last Night of the Proms!

In the choir - definitely not a soloist - my nerves would never take it.

I've learnt all my words, including the chorus to Rule Britannia in Welsh and am very excited. My parents are coming and hopefully they'll be proud (even though you probably won't be able to hear us over the crowds!).

I got asked join my stage schools choir today!! I have!

Lucky thing! I bet that you had a great time. Welcome to the Forum by the way. Nice to see a few new members here.

Thank you, that's very sweet of you.

It was incredibly surreal. I'm so used to watching it at home that I had no idea what was happening due to the lack of TV commentary!

I have been singing for about 44 years. I have had many enjoyable experiences usually involving sopranos which decency insists that I not reveal them (my wife reads over my shoulder anyway)

I think singing Radames with a 90 piece orchestra and the sheer pleasure and enjoyment of having lessons with a great tenor called Alberto Remedios. I have tapes which are hilarious - libellous and extremely instructive in the art of singing which I treasure

I can hardly remember not singing! First choir was around age 8. I have been singing reasonably seriously for over 20 years (as in lessons, public performances, though always at amateur level).

Best experience? Difficult, as there have been a lot of good moments. Best recent was our choir's rendition of Karl Jenkins' Armed Man, in which I had the solo spots. I know there are very mixed feelings about his work in this forum, but we did it in Italy, where it is unheard of, and with a professional 32 piece orchestra and the associated large screen video (actually very hard hitting images of war to counteract the very gentle music). It was dynamite. People were standing in the aisles (a church seating around 250 people had at least 500 packed in, plus all those who couldn't actually get in and stood outside, with their umbrellas, in the rain...). Afterwards there was a standing ovation, paople were in tears, there was a message of peace from the Pope, and a lovely speech from an enthusiastic dignitary who was wiping his eyes and teliing people to go out and be nice to each other after such a message. Yes, that one will live with me for a long time...

I've been getting lessons now for two years, and my best experience was... all of it!!
Luv charl xx

Sang from a very early age 'til late primary/early secondary age, stopped, then re-started May '07.

Best experience : realising there was still a singing voice floating around in me after x number of years!

Have been singing about six years, and haven't had many experiences really - I was scared of performing for a long time. I've been waiting for a really good one to reply to this post - so my best experience was Saturday night - I had a concert and sang a duet with a friend. It went really, really well, and now I'm going to university, it was such a great way to leave the group!

aww thats lovely!!
I love madelaine dring. Am auditioning with "It was a Lover" soon at music colleges.

I have two favourite singing experiences. One was at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July, singing a solo with my choir in the final and singing in the solo class, and the other singing at the local "proms in the park" infront of about 1500 people from around my town .

well, i've only been singing for the past 9 years, and i must say that it's been a great experience so far! i've performed at many places in Singapore, and am still continuing to perform regularly, as part of my school (http://www.intunemusic.com.sg) activities and events! hope to be able to continue to do this for the rest of my life, and to build a career out of singing and music!

do me a favour and check out my singing website (http://www.your-personal-singing-guide.com). if you find it good and useful, forward the link to yr friends and help me spread the love for singing to everyone!

aaron