Tomorrow’s a big day for my chorus—our “Once Upon a Tune” show! It’s the culmination of months of preparation, countless rehearsals, and all the work that goes into putting on a performance of this scale. The day will be packed from start to finish: a tech rehearsal in the morning, setting up the stage and equipment, making sure everyone’s fed and ready, then tackling the costumes and makeup before we even get to the show itself. It’s a full-day commitment to make those few precious minutes on stage as memorable as possible.
But here’s the thing: tomorrow won’t be perfect, and that’s okay.
My chorus is full of perfectionists—myself included! In fact, I see this a lot with my private voice students, too. Many musicians seem to be wired to strive for perfection, to hit every note flawlessly, to execute every move without an issue. But the reality is, we can practice for hours and hours (and we do!) for a performance that, in the grand scheme of things, lasts only a short while. Anything can happen on that stage, and it usually does. And you know what? It’s not about being perfect.
Tomorrow is about connection—with each other and with our audience. We’ve spent all this time preparing so that we can share something special together. Yes, we’ve worked hard to master our music, but what matters most is how we make people feel. The real magic comes from telling a story, bringing joy, and creating a shared experience. Our goal isn’t to be flawless; it’s to be present, to have fun, and to give our audience a performance they’ll remember.
So here’s my advice: When something goes wrong—and it will—keep going. Even if it’s a big mistake, don’t be so hard on yourself. Take your audience with you on the journey. They won’t know you missed a note or that a chord didn’t lock. What they will remember is the energy you brought and the story you told. It’s the performance as a whole that matters.
Want to learn more about embracing imperfection on and off the stage? Try online voice lessons for barbershop and sweet adeline singers.
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION>
And trust me—I know from personal experience! There was the time during a French solo when I completely blanked on the second verse. Instead of freezing, I made up a whole bunch of nonsense French-sounding words on the spot (I like to imagine that no one noticed, but to this day I wonder). Then, there was the time I went for a big high note, and my voice cracked—in front of everyone. I had spent weeks preparing and expected to be perfect. But in that moment, I wish that I had known: It’s okay to make mistakes.
Performing in our quartets or with our choruses is not about achieving perfection. It’s about doing our best in the moment, having fun, and creating something real. Perfection isn’t even possible—we’re human! What matters is that we leave it all on stage, connecting with our audience and each other in the process.
So, as I remind my chorus, and as I remind myself: Be as prepared as you can be, then give yourself permission to make mistakes. Tomorrow will be beautiful, messy, exhilarating, and fun—all at once.
And if you’re reading this as someone who’s ever felt the pressure to be perfect, remember: It’s not about perfection. It’s about sharing a part of yourself with others. Let’s embrace the imperfections and enjoy the journey together. We’re all going to leave that stage tomorrow with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts, and that’s what matters most.
❤
Rachel
SPARK! Music & Artistr 
Leave a comment