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Standing up - yes, standing upDate: April 24, 2013 by Phyllis Everette  Views: 733
I am a member of a large 160 voice choir in Maryland. In addition, I am also a member of a 30 voice Chamber Choir - a sub set of that group; I am also a member of a smaller women's ensemble [12] a subset, yet again of that group. I just performed, in the following order, the Rutter Mass of the Children, Jenkins Requiem, and Lauridsens Lux Aeterna. As a result of my multiple combinations of singing I was "on" for all but (a)20 measures of those pieces combined. So, we stood - those of us in all 3 ensembles for a very long time. It would be wrong to say I'm a spring chicken, yet I'm only 52. The concert was in a venue where a complete intermission wasn't possible. Guess the question is - anyone have sure fire, go to shoes, inserts, tips for backs/shoulders/arms/feet?
Thank you
I've recovered now :)
PJE
Marie Grass Amenta on April 24, 2013 7:41pm
Hi Phyllis,
Does your chorus uniform require you to wear heels? I, personally, wear flats to conduct in.....and have three or so, very cute pairs of black flats. Early in my career, I wore a very nice pair of three inch heels (what was I thinking?) that made my legs look fabulous and wore them to conduct a 90 minute concert....and had to conduct it without a break. During the first piece, I TWISTED MY ANKLE and had to conduct the rest of the concert in terrible pain.......all the while vowing (and silently swearing) I would never conduct in heels of any sort again. I tell my singers to always be comfortable and if that means black flats, do it.
I am crazy about shoes---I probably have at least 100 pairs--and just bought a really cute pair of black, suede pumps with 2 inch heels......they are sooooooo comfy I am tempted to conduct in them but......am still a little leery. They are by Ros Hommerson and I bought them on Amazon.........RH shoes are fairly reasonably priced and fit my really narrow foot.
I feel you pain......all women conductors and singers feel your pain......and when more than one of us are gathered together, we talk about singing/conducting shoes or concert dress! Every once in a while, there is just this sort of posting here on ChoralNet, so check out the archives. The men around here roll their eyes but let them try singing or conducting in heels and see what they say!
Marie
on April 25, 2013 9:28am
If I want to look nice, I will wear my comfy charactor shoes, but if it doesnt matter - I wear my Swedish wooden clogs. Most comfrotable shoes to walk in and stand in. I too have had to stand during long concerts, and that is usually after all day teaching while standing. I find, standing on my tip-toes, wiggling digits, stretching calves (discretely of course) helps a lot. I am 53 and will not give up singing.
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