my wicked week

alright. so last week, because of a friend's convincing, i entered a singing competition that was going on as part of the promotion for the musical wicked. (which is just WICKED, i must say. and if you haven't seen it...what the heck are you waiting for?) it was held in different cities in the states and canada...well, just toronto. each contestant had to sing a clip from one of 5 songs from the musical. the songs were all posted online with mp3 tracks where you can practice and stuff. it was pretty convenient. and on the day of, you'd be singing along with the track with a karoke machine. so it was pretty hassle free.

so the first round was an online part, where anyone could send in a video of them singing one of the songs, and people would vote online for who would be finalists for the live competition on "wicked day". the second round (for canada) was on oct 22 with live auditions at the eaton's centre downtown. the first 30 people to register would get to sing. and then the last round was the day after at hillcrest mall. why hillcrest, i don't know. but it was close so that was the one i went to.

registration officially started at 4, but i was advised to get there as soon as i could. so i took the bus and went right after my class that ended at 2. i got there just before 3 and there were quite a few people lining up already. so i waited at the end of the line. i felt a little out of place because most of the people were teenagers...musical theatre fanatics with loud personalities that i didn't care too much to be associated with when i was in elementary/high school. but somehow i endured an hr of waiting in this line...and i wasn't even sure if i'd be able to sing. i didn't know if all of this would just be a waste of time. but i waited. just to see what would happen.

at 4 they started letting people in. they let the first 30 in, and guess what number i was. 31. that's right. 31. but...turns out that the guy in front of me had auditioned the day before downtown and didn't make it to the finals. according to the rules, you can only sing once in the auditions so i became number 30. and that was the end of the waiting. it was pretty sad to see some kids going away crying and have their parents try to fight for them and everything...and of course, chinese people trying to bargain their way in. (be a man...do the right thing...y'kno)

so the actual competition started at 5. yay for andrew and karen who showed up and kept me company! i was the last to sing. there were a few who i thought were great. but i dunno...a lot of them were kids and i don't think you can really compare kids voices with more mature ones because their voices are still developing. (other than the black lady beside me, who was great, i was the next oldest. and yes, i do realise i am one of shortest.) there was this one boy tho, who couldn't have been older than 12, that was fantastic. very cute. but he probably wont' sound like that next year...but anyway. i sang...it was ok. i had some things to work on. but i made it to the top 10 of this round, and so did that boy :) so that was cool. the finals would be a week later with the top ten finalists from the eatons center round, the hillcrest round, and the one girl who won the online vote.

so this past sunday was the finals at eatons center. it was pretty much the same deal. lots of teenagers, some that were really good. i was around 13th to sing. i was a bit more nervous for this one...more people, bigger location. and this time there would only be one winner. one out of 21. the prize would be: 6 tickets to see wicked, 6 autographed programs, $250 gift certificate for hillcrest, eaton's center, and city grill, 10 hours of professional training, and 10 weeks of auditions with a talent agency. very wicked prize.

anyway, so i sang. with dennis taping me on my camera. i'm glad i had a friend there with me. i don't think i would have done it if i was by myself. i didn't win, but i'm pretty happy with how i did. and i got some feedback from one of the judges too...the guy who plays the wizard in the production.

overall, it was a good experience. it took me a while to decide whether to do it or not, mainly because i don't often sing outside of church or worship settings. with those, i'm fine because i know that ultimately, it's not about how good i sound. it's about pointing people to God. the focus is never on me. but with a singing competition...well...it's about you and your voice. your voice compared to other people's voices. and that's scary. and i was scared that if i didn't win this, i would be thinking that i'm not good enough and all that yucky stuff and it would affect the way i sing for God. but i'm glad that wasn't the case. i know that i've been blessed with a gift, regardless of the outcome of this competition. it was a fun experience, and i'd consider do it again if i had the chance. i'm proud of myself for actualyl doing this. this is very out of character for me. but i guess sometimes you just gotta challenge yourself and just take a chance. nothing to lose.

thanks to those who called or messaged to wish me luck and wanted to be there but couldn't. and of course, thanks to those few who actually came with me too :)

here's my final performance at the eaton's center this past sunday. enjoy.



Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap

It's time to try Defying gravity
I think I'll try Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down...