Keep it Moving

By Dorothy J. Hill

Keep it Moving

Keep it moving… yet another cliché statement to say the least, but pretty self-explanatory. In other words, don’t stop no matter what. You have to continue to push forward or fall backward; those are really the only options in life. You either live or you die. Another thing to keep in mind in the non-stop motion is to never get too comfortable. It is definitely alright to find comfort in something and be comfortable with something, but don’t get so caught in your comfort with one thing that you neglect the reality of life and that there are others things happening around you.

I am one who loves to live by example and be the guinea pig and picked apart, well sometimes. So here’s my example… For the duration of this current semester, I have been preparing for one of the biggest nights of my life, my first formal vocal recital. I have been feeling a great deal of mixed emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, excitement, eagerness, nervousness and a bunch of others. I know it’s kind of crazy to have all of things going at once, but it is what I’m feeling. I have been singing for 20 years of my life and have been classically training for the past 8 years. I always imagined what the moment would be like when I got up to sing in front of a large crowd and in less than a day it will be happening.

Now, just so you know, I have been performing for some time now. It really began during my high school years when I got into heavily performing. I sang in a few Gospel groups, such as the well-known Chicago-based community choir and recording group, Joshua’s Troop. In addition, I sang in a group with a few friends from high school, Worship Experience, where we had the opportunity to open for the famous Gospel duo, MaryMary. Plus, I have given numerous solo performances in the church venue singing primarily gospel. Also, while in high school, I had the opportunity to sing with the internationally-known Kenwood Academy Concert Choir, where I had the opportunity to sing for such people as, then Senator Barack Obama, Rev. Marvin Winans, Andrae Crouch, Judge Greg Mathis, Tiny “Deebo” Lister (from the comedy “Friday”), Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and many, many more.

This itself is a relatively long list, and there are others, but too many to name. I guess you can say I really found my calling while in the Concert Choir. There were so many things that were instilled in me as a person and a performer. I learned during that time that I had to keep it moving and don’t get too comfortable. I learned that I was not the best singer around as I had thought for so long. It at first did sting a little bit, but, hey, that is how the business works.

Here we are present day and I’m in the week leading up to my recital. Like I mentioned before, there is this excitement and happiness brewing inside of me, among the other emotions. I’m both excited and happy for a few reasons: I have the opportunity to share my gift of song with others. A majority of those that I share it with have been on this journey with me for a while and it warms my heart to know that I make a difference in someone’s life with my music and my gift, which is my voice. Aside from me using my voice for singing, I am a rather outspoken, assertive and sometimes aggressive person, so I make sure to lend my voice to things of greater magnitude, such as taking a stand for something that I don’t agree with. God gave me the strength to do what I have to do and be who I have to be, which is why, I know to keep it moving.

As I ponder about the people I have invited and want to be present at the recital, I have to remember to not put so much focus into that because, there will be some people who are and are not able to make it. On this past Tuesday, November 9, 2011, I stopped by the “Pizza with the President” in the SXU Diner, hosted by SAB/SGA, and as I was preparing to get some food, I was given some really awesome news… The president of SXU, Christine Wiseman, told me “I’ll be there!” I was so shocked and excited at the same time, but, here it is again… Don’t get comfortable and keep it moving. I can’t get so caught up in the excitement of things and lose sight of what needs to be done. There is still work that must take place and whether she does show up or not, I can’t let that phase me in any way. I have to continue to go for the goal and not worry about those things that I cannot be 100% sure of. As much as I may want to have certain people there to share my gift with, I know that things happen and nothing is promised. So, again, I say, keep it moving.

I find much inspiration and motivation in the opportunities I’m presented with. I can’t express how grateful I am to be in the position I’m currently in. It’s so amazing, which brings me back to another quote “Go for Yours” which I have seen quite often now from a young woman who is has become an inspiration to many, Erika McCall. She has recently published a book entitled “Go for Yours”, which in essence to me means, go for your goals and don’t allow anything to deter you from reaching them. Continue to keep it moving regardless of what obstacles come your way. In life we face many battles that may cause us to slightly falter, but you gotta keep it moving.

Dorothy J. Hill is a senior from Chicago, IL. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Dorothy is a Student Ambassador and currently serves as the Training Coordinator at Saint Xavier.