I am the Greatest Singer in the World

That day, a student of mine, Matilda, was having lesson with me and Mr Low and Mr Low told her to say, "I am the Greatest Singer in the World" aloud several times as part of an exercise for her to build her confidence. He said that this was something which Jan Delpratt, one of the greatest singing teachers in the world taught him.

I found that to be a fantastic exercise so I used it on my choirs today and it gave me excellent results. I also told the choir that the choir is only as good as its weakest singer. Then I told them to say "We are the Greatest Choir in the World!" I could see that many felt uncomfortable,they were looking away, fidgeting etc. In any case, I'm going to continue this exercise.

Yesterday night, I also met up with Alan Stevens, a NLP practioner who is currently in Singapore. His website is www.acceleratingperformance.com.au and www.cellularmemory.com.au. Raymond and I had attended a workshop which he conducted about personality types and communication over the weekend and we decided to meet up to chat further about our work.

He got me to do an exercise which I adapated and used it on the choirs today. I asked the choir to imagine themselves getting a Gold Award at the upcoming Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging for choirs and to visualise how they would feel receiving the award and the sensation they would feel in their body.. Their faces lit up and many become excited and said that they felt very happy. Alan also said, "They've got to be winners first before they even get on stage". I think that is very true. Many times we get so caught up in the end result that we don't remember and appreciate the journey anymore.

When I asked one of the choirs the other day why is it that they are in the choir, one of them said, " To get a Gold medal for SYF". I was seriously shocked! It was like asking, "why do you go to school?" and answering " To pass exams". I reminded them that really first and foremost I'm sure they are in the choir cos they love singing and they have come to the choir to sing. To make Music together is really one of the greatest gifts and joys of being a human being.

So coming back to my main point,to believe in ourselevs is really the first step in being a winner and if through SYF or any other competition, we learn to build that confidence in ourselves and to be the best that we can be in our field then I think SYF and any other competition would have served its purpose to encourage, grow and build artistry. If the focus is merely to win a Gold medal and we beat ourselves up for not winning a Gold etc, then I think the whole point is lost and we face the danger of going through the motions and stress of music making and singing together would have lost its meaning forever.

So for today and everyday, I am the Greatest Singer in the World, just like Jay Chou!