[Menvi-discuss] Guide Dogs and Performances

Tue Jan 1 15:44:28 EST 2013

Hi Kelby and all,  (And I apologize if this is long.)

I have taken my dog on stage for every jury I had in college.  I also
take her on stage for student recitals(when the students perform for
each other), master classes, and some choir concerts.  She and I work
together for all the Christmas concerts at school.  she is also on
stage every week when I sing at church.  I have not taken her on stage
when I have been in louder choir concerts, for opera scenes, for the
aria competition we had a couple months ago, and for my recital last
year.  There have also been other times that I have not taken her
because she has been sick.

She and I work on stage etiquette.  When it's available, we practice
in our school's recital hall, with me on stage and her next to me.
Sometimes when I practice in practice rooms, I let her sleep, but
other times, I have her work like we are performing.  I choose very
carefully sometimes about whether or not I want her on stage.
Sometimes it's just easier if I bring my cane--like when we're singing
Carmina Burana with a hundred people on stage and a full orchestra.
But it wouldn't be right if I didn't bring her on stage at church
because it's something I do every week, so she can get used to it.
Same for master classes and student recitals.

I decided not to take her on stage for my recital because it was an
extended period of time, which means it would be something different
for her.  I was also giving my first recital and thought it would make
both of us less nervous if she stayed on her bed back stage.  But I
was not pressured into this decision.  I heard people's opinions on
the matter and made up my mind.  Don't let professors pressure you not
to bring your dog.  If it makes you comfortable to have your dog, and
you are confident he will be good, then bring him.  Also think about
which performances would be easy for him to handle.  Some are
definitely better than others.

Leaving him back stage is definitely an option, but what about when
you go to singing competitions?  You could leave him at home, but if
you plan on doing a lot of competitions or would like to work with him
in those environments, you will probably need to bring him when you
perform.  My dog Brie and I have done three nats competitions together
and a high school solo and ensemble competition.  I don't remember her
misbehaving, so she must have been good in all of them.  We have also
done various scholarship competitions and other performances.  A
couple of times, I have sung for organizations, and I allowed her to
lay under the piano while I sang.  I would not recommend this until
you and your dog have bonded to the point where you trust each other
enough to do this.  :)

Anyway...  IMO those professors should get used to that dog on stage.
They are professionals and should treat you and your dog like
professionals.  When your dog is working, he is a mobility tool.  Yes,
he can do distracting things, but if you two work on obedience, he
should behave the majority of the time.  The only thing on your part
is that you can't show it.  If the dog does do something cute during a
performance, you need to be fully engaged in your song.  Yes, this
does take trust, and that will take time.  But work with him.  Maybe
do some trial performances in studio master classes, or if you are in
a church choir or praise team.  That setting works well because it's
more casual.

Feel free to email me off list if you need anything.  Sorry for the novel.

On 1/1/13, Bettie Downing <bnbdowning70 at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> Sighted people would much rather watch the dog than watch you.  That is why
> they suggested this to you.  They want the focus on YOU.
>
>
>
> On Jan 1, 2013, at 1:36 PM, Cristina Jones wrote:
>
>> I'm a Dog user myself, and I completely understand why they think that a
>> dog might be distracting on stage. It's not my favorite idea, but, I
>> completely understand. So, in the situations, I generally have a tendency
>> toward leaving my dog offstage, either with a friend or tied down and
>> lying on his blanket where he is safe and comfortable. That way, I can
>> just go cited guide on and off stage, and I can come back and check on him
>> whenever I need to. He's usually good about keeping quiet. Another thing
>> you can do is to buy one of those collapsible crates. They're really soft,
>> and they are very compact. I think you could get them either at target,
>> Walmart, or Petsmart or Petco. I would recommend to target or Walmart
>> since they're cheaper. I have to get one myself or my dog, but he's a bit
>> too large for the ones at target or Walmart. But that's besides the point.
>> The other thing you can do, is to leave him in a professors office if
>> they're okay with it. I've done that several times, and I find that works
>> the best. I don't have to worry about him when I'm supposed to be focusing
>> on music. One thing you can do if you're really uncomfortable with leaving
>> him Offstage, is you can take him into the practice room with you and have
>> him practice lying still in harness while you sing. One thing I find to be
>> helpful is that I leave him in harness and unleash and I just sang and
>> make him life still while I move around him. Not necessarily making
>> circles around him or anything, but I do move a little bit when I sing for
>> expressive purposes.
>>
>> Sincerely:
>> Cristina Jones
>> (714) 312-9889
>>
>> On Jan 1, 2013, at 11:31 AM, Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Well, I'm not entirely sure how to respond to this.  To me, this sounds
>>> like a discrimination because your guide dog is your primary method of
>>> travel, I'm assuming.  What I would do in this situation is if they ask
>>> you not to bring your dog on stage, I would simply just go sighted guide
>>> with someone.  I know this isn't ideal but it seems like they don't
>>> understand that they can't deny you your travel aid.
>>>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, National Federation of the Blind
of Missouri recording secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
and proud graduate of Guiding Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16