The subtitle of this article you may have vaguely recognised. It is inspired by a classic best selling motivational book by the Author Susan Jeffers entitled, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.
I was recently honoured to be a guest judge on a distinguished panel that was tasked to audition members of the public in Coventry for a unique choir concept conceived by Sandra Godley.
The venue was staged within Coventry Cathedral with a beautiful and grand stain glass window as the backdrop, but with participants facing a TV camera, the panel of experts and a live audience.
In other televised singing auditions, staring at the back of 4 chairs that you hope to God may swing around within your rendition or facing a Mr Simon Cowell before he’s had his first morning coffee break, would strike the deepest fear in many.
The people lining up in the queue that wrapped around the Cathedral for this event carried with them life-threatening fears. Real fear and anxiety. The type that seemed to be wired into the very fabric of their psychological DNA.
Sandra Godley wanted to attract those facing physical, mental and psychological damage, leading to anxiety. Ironically, the new modern Church stood beside its historical twin, a bombed-out shell, a symbol of the Second World War German Blitz. Reading the footnotes that accompanied each participant, made you realise that perhaps, empty human shells were standing before you.
When a group of 3 people each hold up placards that read, depression, anxiety and mental illness, you know immediately that they are literally singing for their lives.
One lady summed it up for me when asked why she came to audition as she was assisted to the spot by one of the councillors/volunteers on hand.
“I am here to sing, because I am terrified. I need to face it”.
I really cannot remember what she actually sang, but when she completed her 30-second rendition, I clapped and cheered for a woman of courage.
The event was advertised on social media and the ultimate prize was as to be member of the Gosp-ability Choir who would perform at an event in front of Royals in the lead up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May.
As far as I was concerned, anyone who turned up for this groundbreaking audition, were all winners of a prize that they could cherish long after the wedding ceremony of the Royals.
The courage and determination to conquer self.
Watch out for a very interesting broadcast on the BBC One show in the near future.
