HEAR MY VOICE 2024 – performance by Singing is Fun students

02/03/2024

The 6th annual “HEAR MY VOICE” performance by Singing is fun students was held on Sunday 28 January 2024 in Prague, at Club Elpíčko.

10 beginner and advanced singers appeared on stage, who devoted their entire training to this evening. The evening was moderated by the Singing is Fun (SIF) lecturers. The singers were supported by our home team musicians, who supported our students in this concert format for the umpteenth time.

“Concern, nervousness, fear, but also enthusiasm flowed through the air.”

Even though the students and their lecturers were preparing for this performance, for everyone this concert meant something new, something you couldn’t even imagine.

For some it was the very first performance in their life, for another it was the first time singing in a long time, singing in front of people they don’t know, singing without lyrics, singing into a microphone, singing for yourself, playing a musical instrument and singing or performing on stage with a band they’ve never played with before. What will it be like? What will they say about me? Am I making a mistake? I’m very afraid I probably won’t be able to do it….this is the normal reaction of students before the sound check:)

“It only takes one step to make the podium your home”

The audience is a very important factor in overcoming the fear of performing. Fear and anxiety come from within, but the external environment also affects the fear factor. These may be memories from avoiding bad experiences or a lack of support that students suffered in the past.

And that’s what we’re trying to change here. To have one concert that will create the cornerstone of a beautiful feeling from the stage, where they will love to return. This Sunday, whole families, children, friends, partners, but also students came to support them, who wanted to see how it was going, so that they would have motivation for the next performance. Former students who know this concert and like to come back to support have also arrived.

There are other benefits of meeting students in one place – there is networking, sharing and finding out that they have similar stories. A new community of like-minded people is emerging. Singing at home in the shower, in the car, and then at the piano or with your own guitar, learning to work with your voice, controlling stage fright, letting your emotions into a song, learning how to handle and sing into a microphone and being yourself – all this is part of the training.

Each of the singers had something to look forward to and something to fear. We were there with them from start to finish. We gave them the courage to do everything because we know their potential. Our tutors practiced with the students a song of their own choosing, a song that was closest to their hearts.

We sang together, while the musicians played their instruments, and then each student could try to stand on stage with the band and test the microphone and sound. Then it was just waiting for the audience. Adrenaline was great, but the whole evening was arranged in such a way that everyone felt comfortable and safe.

This show isn’t about who’s the best, it’s about finding the courage to push yourself a little further. Gain new experiences, accept challenges and learn to overcome your fear.

When the festive evening ended, we stayed for a while at the same table with our Alberto ‘the Jukebox’ and ended by singing songs together with the guitar.

“More training – better memory and confidence.

More concerts – lower fear level.

More experience – the more joy from the given moment. “

Beego

Congratulations to all the singers for their great performances and to the audience for the friendly atmosphere. ❤❤

Live events are always a big "kick" for me, and the "Singing is fun" school students' concert is even more so, because not only do we gather from different corners of our country and we are all together, but we also experience all the emotions with students and performers, we support with...and that is very intense. This time I was internally "fed" by the unprecedentedly beautiful voices and performances of the students... some are standing on the stage for the umpteenth time, and some for the very first time! And everyone has their own unique story that is reflected in their interpretation...and that's power! I enjoy this a lot and it just "kicks" - literally shoots towards the belief that this is the true meaning! To believe, to sing, to rejoice, to work hard, and to fulfill one's dreams... Big thanks go not only to all the performers, fantastic musicians, lecturers, but above all to our wonderful Beego, because she always creates a supportive and charming atmosphere!!! Holt big beautiful voice and big beautiful heart ❤️❤️❤️

I have been teaching at Singing is fun for almost a year. I am very happy that even two of my students - beginners mustered up the courage and decided to perform at the concert. They didn't make it easy at all. Veronika chose a heavy jazz song and Vojta accompanied himself on the guitar. Together with the others, they created a very colorful mix of songs from all possible genres. I wasn't bored for a moment, and above all, I kept my fingers crossed for everyone throughout the evening, that they wouldn't forget the text, that they would just succeed. Every performer is different, has a different story. Someone was performing for the first time, hats off, someone is already a professional. But in the end, everyone was a winner for me. They humbled themselves, their nervousness, their fears. The reward at the end was joy, a big kick of energy and, above all, the desire to continue. Jana Jiroušková

He waves it every time. The organization of such a magical concert is preceded by several months of preparation. In those 12 years, we really saw so many dreams come true, so many stories and so many fears overcome. It fills me up and gives me more energy, to do things from the heart. Sunday's performance "Hear my voice" was an absolute blast, even better than we could have imagined. The lecturers and I caught ourselves several times with tears welling up in our eyes, goosebumps and heart palpitations, we experienced so much with them. I am moved by the progress the students have made. There was something for the first time for everyone. The first performance on the microphone, the first performance with a band behind you, the first performance in a long time, the first performance by yourself or the very first performance. The point of playing live is not to make a mistake, but to convey emotions to everyone who was there. Try what it's like, use everything they've learned in their lessons, deal with stage fright and be yourself, and the students did it absolutely brilliantly.

"What I always value most at our concerts is the atmosphere, which is traditionally filled with a huge amount of support and empathy and the pure joy of music and the opportunity to share it with others. For quite a few of our students/performers, this is often their first public appearance, and how a person handles it at a given moment often determines their future direction. This "first step" is often remembered for the rest of one's life, and I am pleased that at our events our singers are not alone and together we can create these unforgettable moments."

My first concert with Singing is Fun exceeded my expectations. It was absolutely divine. Already at the beginning, when the students started to meet, I could notice the joy and positive energy around. It was a wonderful experience for me. You could see how everyone supported each other and gave each other courage. Some were standing on stage for the first time, others were holding the microphone for the first time, and I must say that they all did it brilliantly. And that also applies to their performances. Each one was unique. During the entire evening, many beautifully colored voices took turns, various songs were performed, beautifully performed, with great musicians, and with each performance, more and more tears of emotion came to my eyes. I am proud of my colleagues for the work they have done and I thank them for it, and I am also incredibly proud of the students who do what they enjoy and work hard on themselves, because thanks to them our lecturers' heart beats and we know that what we do is meaningful.