A lot of new and inexperienced choir members might lack confidence when it comes to singing at an actual performance. Some so much that they happily turn up to rehearsals yet never join in the performance. Even professional singers have stage fright yet they have learnt to manage it so that it doesn’t affect their performance.
Each person will deal with their fears in different ways and to some extent looking at the matter in a purely logical way features in all of them.
You have been practising for a while so you will know the songs. As I have mentioned in previous weeks, your brain is amazing and knows what to do if you let it and do not get in it’s way by being scared. Fear stops your brain giving the proper instructions.
The people in the audience will want you to do well and are on whole supportive of performances if they can feel a connection with the performers. Even mistakes are tolerated if they feel a connection to you. During the performance focus on creating that connection for yourself by telling the story of the song and being engaged with the words you are singing.
Your fellow singers will support you as they too want you to do well.
Consider what is the worst that can happen? How bad would that be if the worst did happen? Is it the end of the world? How likely is the worst to happen if you practice?
Even professionals make mistakes, they just move on as during a performance there isn’t much that can be done about it. If you aim to practice till you can’t get it wrong then you will be well placed to perform well.
If you are still suffering, then turn up, mime whenever you feel the need to and sing the songs you feel you are most confident with. In time you will be singing more and more and will come to enjoy the performance opportunities. More exposure will give you confidence as long as performances have gone well. Fake it till you make it as the saying goes.
Focussing on correct breathing and the emotion of the text can go along way to focus your mind on something other than fear.
Exercise
If you suffer with stage fright try to explain exactly what that feels like for you. Where in your body do you feel it? If you can describe the sensation then you can work on reducing it’s intensity bit by bit and so gradually reducing stage fright.
A bit of nerves is always good as it focusses the mind – too many nerves is debilitating. Find the balance and trust your brain.
