Fame (Part 1)

I suppose to understand this particular blog, you may need to read the one I did yesterday. I was thinking a lot last night about what I wrote, and ended up wondering (as it's something I seem to do on a regular basis - a bit like Winnie the Pooh....) what is Fame? How is it measured?

You see, in my previous post I wrote about performing with an orchestra. But, to most people when they think of orchestra's, images of the National Concert Hall or an opera house come to mind with 'hundreds' of seriously experienced musicians playing with such precision. Of course, this would be fantastic to say the least, to have this many musicians of such high calibre accompanying you, and to be even considered at their level. But, of course there are also many smaller orchestra's too who can create fantastic sounds. Two that automatically spring to mind are the Donegal Chamber Orchestra and the Donegal Youth Orchestra so, would Fame also be performing with one of these and being recognised for it? Herein lies my questions..... What is Fame and how is it measured??


I am a musician, a classically trained soprano (which can actually strike the fear of God into some, by the way) and like most other creative artists would love people to experience my work - which in my case is my voice. If I was a painter or a sculptor I would love people to see my exhibitions. I suppose artists are a curious breed as there is no point in us having a talent and keeping it all to ourselves, what would be the point? We have that need to share our talent, and to 'give it' to others, so that they too may enrich their lives with something that we can sometimes take for granted. Likewise, if I was a writer, I would want people to read my books as there's no point in writing just for myself!

For some people being recognised for the work they do in a local area is a form of fame - they may be a volunteer, a care worker, a local musician who plays on a Saturday night in the local pub - everyone in the community/town knows them so therefore they're famous. Of course, there's also those that decide not to live by the laws of society, and they become famous too ! I am known in my county for singing and performing so I suppose, yes I am famous. But I keep thinking about the orchestra thing that I mentioned earlier - how 'famous' would I have to be for that to happen? Honestly? I don't know!

For me fame means that I get to share what I do with an audience who'll hopefully appreciate it (that's always the tricky bit). When I think of the word 'Fame' I don't think money, notoriety, big cars etc. etc. I just think of singing to an audience wherever that audience may be and that they'll like what they hear, and want to hear more. So possibly my measurement of fame is quite small or minimal. But I am ambitious, will I get there? Yes, I will. When? Ah, now that's the million dollar question, and I intend to enjoy the journey and see what happens when I get there.

Finally, sometimes when I mention 'classically trained' the reaction is quite amazing. What some people don't realise is that when a singer is trained they have learned to use their voice in the correct way - it doesn't in fact mean that all they sing is one genre e.g. opera. Granted, I may have difficulty singing a Cheryl Cole number but I guess that some pop singers may also have difficulty singing Mozart or Gluck.