Jazz Band!
Earlier this evening I strolled into the front room. Renee was decompressing on the sofa with her laptop at hand, meanwhile a vintage episode of ‘Tom and Jerry’ was playing in the background. I enjoy the old cartoons, so I sat down in the comfortable chair adjacent to the sofa where Renee was resting. I can’t recall the title of the episode, but what’s important is that Jerry, with Tom in pursuit, found himself behind the closed curtain of a packed concert hall! In the moment I felt excited for the orchestra performers because it was the moment of truth; the curtain would soon be pulled! At any moment, blinding floodlights would come pouring down upon the stage, while cumulative pulse rates intensified! I’m no musician, so I can’t empathize. However, I can imagine the rush that surely accompanies the thrill of performing for a live festive crowd!
For those of you who don’t know, Renee has also performed before a packed house on occasion. Renee, being a talented musician, has a natural ear for melodies, and she plays a variety of instruments, but the tenor saxophone really makes her shine! For those who don’t know, Renee brings out the best in people, and her fellow musicians are no exception! Renee’s natural ability to drill down through our perceptions and generalizations provides her with the talent of reading people’s emotions in a way that puts us at ease, meaning she can empathize on every level, which is to say that Renee’s passion spills outwards and inoculates all in attendance! Said differently, Renee’s passions resonate with like-minded individuals, and it’s no coincidence that Renee was an integral member of Socorro High School’s elite Jazz Band! With ‘Tom and Jerry’ playing in the background, I listened as Renee reminisced about touring New Mexico, performing solos, and jamming with the talented ensemble in packed venues across the state! The Socorro Jazz Band brought home more than one first prize award, but it wasn’t just the accolades that bolstered Renee’s pride! For Renee, the feeling of “being really good at something,’ was the fuel that drove her forward! Judging from her expressions, I could tell that the memories were really hitting home. With this knowledge in hand, I was prompted to ask, “Did you ever feel nervous right before they pulled the curtain?” Renee looked at me for a moment then said, “I was shy and reserved most of my life. Being the quiet one I knew that people would notice me so that made me nervous! I knew the music really well, so it cancelled out the fear of being seen.” Renee paused once again, then continued, “Even though I’ve always been nervous around people, it didn’t give me anxiety to play music, because it was one of the things I was really good at. It was one of the memories that I would pull from, so it set a precedent! Later in life I realized that If I can play live music, then I can also give presentations to a packed classroom filled with university students. The feeling of self-efficacy overrides the anxiety so you can enjoy the thrill!”
