Wed. 1 Dec. 2021

SOLO

Maetta Jagentenfl

A personal narrative written by fifth-grade Choir School student Maetta Jagentenfl, pictured above singing the opening solo of Once in Royal David's City at our last Lessons and Carols service in December 2019, when she was still a third-grade student. She will join her Choir School peers this year on Sunday, December 12th to bring this joyful service back to the sanctuary once again. She wrote this narrative for a school assignment and gave us permission to share -- enjoy!

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I used to sing in the Saint Johns Church choir. It’s a church near the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth. One time, they told us that they needed someone to sing a short solo. Everyone who wanted to sing the solo auditioned for it. I LOVE singing. However, I am afraid of singing by myself in front of other people. Everyone who auditioned for the solo was so good! Apparently, I was good too! Even though I was frightened, I finally sang! “Mae will sing the solo!” My mouth drooped open and I jumped up and down. “YES”! I shouted.

I remember having to practice my solo a lot. I also remember being really nervous. I could not stop thinking about the solo. Will I actually be able to sing the solo? I can't wait! I CAN wait. (I was in third grade at the time) I only remember 2 practices even though I had, like, 10,000 practices (okay, I'm exaggerating). The ones I remember were two of my last ones. One was in the actual church and one was in a big room with a T.V. and chairs.

One time, my instructor, Ashley, told me to pick a spot to look at when I sing so I wouldn't be “as” nervous. She said that if I picked a spot to look at that was not at the people I would be more confident and not get so nervous that I couldn't sing.

I performed my solo around Christmas time and there was a golden star hanging from the light brown ceiling. I chose the golden star to focus on during the performance. (Remember I sang in a church)

I sang from a red carpeted balcony at the back of the church so all I could see of the people was the back of their heads. I could also see the piano, aisle, and everything below me. The balcony was also where the BIG organ was.

On the afternoon of my solo, I remember being really nervous. Almost panicking, maybe. Maybe I should tell Ashley that I'm too nervous to sing the solo. I thought, biting my lip. No! I can't! Who would sing the solo if I didn't do it? My hands felt clammy as I got out of the pale blue car in the church parking lot. It was a beautiful afternoon. Birds chirping, people smiling, you know. There was a few inches of snow on the ground. A nervous expression was frozen on my face. I bit my nails.

I walked to the building next to the church. I believe it is called Thaxter Hall. My stomach was hurting a little. I climbed the stairs and entered the big room. The room we were in was big. It has a stage along one of the walls. The choir was not there yet. I walked around the room. Stopped. Sat down. Got up again. Walked back and forth. Tap,tap,tap went my shoes on the wooden floor.

“Why don't we practice one more time?” Asked Ashley

I sighed. “Okay” I said unenthusiastically in a frowny face.

When we finished practicing, I put on my church “uniform”. We have to wear it to sing. It is basically a long blue dress that goes down to my ankles and a long-sleeved button down shirt that goes over the dress. (Back to the story)

“It's time for your solo, are you ready?” said Ashley.

I nervously nodded.

Me and Ashley walked out of Thaxter Hall, down the sidewalk, and entered the church. It was slowly filling up with people. We climbed the stairs to the balcony. My clammy hands clutched the railing on the balcony. My eyebrows creeped together. Almost time, almost time. I told myself. By now the church was full. You can do it, you can do it.

“Ready when you are,” said the organ player. Everyone in that church was waiting for me. It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. (I think I did hear a pin drop.) I saw my mom filming me.

Ashley gave me a quick and quiet pep talk.

“I know you can do it Mae”.

I took a breath. I heard the organ. Then I began to sing.

In approximately 18.5 seconds I was done. Then the rest of the choir came out and finished the song. They quietly congratulated me. I was thinking: Wow! I actually did it! I can't believe I did it!

There was a party in Thaxter Hall after the service. There was a Christmas tree on the stage decorated with sparkling ornaments. There were people chattering everywhere. I found my mom, dad, brother, my friend and her mom, my cousin Jeremy and his mom, and probably some more people that I forgot. They all congratulated me.

“Mae, you were so good!”

“Someone started crying when you were singing because your voice was so beautiful!”

“I'm surprised that I didn't cry!”

“I want food!” (that's my brother.)

Parents, I thought with an eye roll.

After they all congratulated me, we got food. The food was so good. Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and lots more. I was so happy that I finally did it! My smile was big and stretched from ear to ear.

If there's one thing I learned from that experience, it is: never audition for a solo unless you're absolutely sure that you won't chicken out.