Issue #22 / Winter 2008

America's Got Talent Installment 10 Conclusion
by Carol Taubl


Week 2 of the America's Got Talent live shows was a continuing, escalating nightmare. The performance itself was fraught with trouble, the judges comments were harsh and a little too pointed, and now we faced the part of the bad dream where you really hope you wake up, because if you don't, you are doomed.  Only we didn't wake up.  It wasn't a dream.  I think we all opened our eyes on Wednesday morning hoping it was still Tuesday and that the whole thing had been a product of some bad digestion from dinner the night before, but sadly it was all too real.  And what we were facing as those alarm clocks went off and we dragged ourselves out of bed was a day of more make up and costumes and rehearsals, but the storm clouds looming on the horizon took the joy out of it all, and we trudged on ignoring the stomach ache and nervous dread.

We arrived on set early again, but this time it was difficult to stay focused.  We were fighting an awful paradox of hoping that we would advance while knowing that the odds were stacked against us.  Around 11am, they called us up to the stage to rehearse the results show, and we assembled as we had before, but nothing felt the same.  The cavernous backstage area suddenly seemed suffocating, and we all found ourselves seeking asylum in the outdoor area just outside the backdoor of the stage.  The warmth of the sunlight reminded us that life would go on even after the show ended, but the brilliance of this California sun also brought to light the pain etched so clearly in everyone's faces. 

As we had the week before, we lined up on stage to practice what we were to do if we advanced, and what we were to do if we were eliminated.  All of our friends surrounded us, and it was then that the reality began to set in.  We had an entire new sphere of existence here on America's Got Talent.  The producers had become almost like family, and the production assistants were like extra children adopted into the family.  Almost simultaneously, we all began to realize that elimination not only meant that we would not be performing again on this stage, but worse yet, that there would be a continent between us and our beloved California friends.  Pain upon pain, worry and more worry.  And the hours ticked by so slowly as we waited.
I honestly don't remember much about that afternoon or the moments leading up to the results show.  But I do remember the gnawing ache in my stomach.  We all walked on stage that night knowing that it was the end.  But it still broke my heart to see my children cry with disappointment as we walked off stage, having just been told our fate.  There were no off stage interviews, no stage assistants telling you where your next appointment was.  It was over.  Our little friend Kaitlyn Maher was the first to hug us, and her dear mom and dad quickly followed.  We looked around the backstage area as we were being herded off to the waiting van, and we saw tears in many eyes - the unseen reality of reality TV.  We had a short waiting period in the 'smoking' area just outside the stage where we were told to wait for the van.  And it was here that an amazing, merciful act of kindness lent a healing balm to the overwhelming sadness.
Because the actual show was over, the fans that had been in the audience were milling around in the outside spaces of the set, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite act or one of the celebrity judges.  We knew that many eyes were upon us, having just been eliminated, and we were so desperately trying to put a brave face on it all, but without much success.

We noticed a bit of a commotion stirring up near the front door of the building, and craned our necks to see the source of it.  Sharon's Bentley limo drove up each night after the show and when she and Ozzie exited, it was always quite a scene.  Figuring that was the source of the melee, we settled back to wait for our ride.  In an almost Biblical parting, the crowds suddenly separated and Jerry Springer walked between them, shaking hands and signing autographs as he went, but clearly searching for someone.  Then he looked up and saw us, and with an 'oh, there you are,' he offered his condolences and a hug for each of us, just what we needed in this incredibly disappointing moment. He shared with us how deeply touched he was by our music, and by our family, and how he so wanted us to continue doing what we do.  He had an extra hug for Emily and told her how beautiful her voice was and made her promise that she would continue to share her gift with audiences across America.  And then he was whisked away.  But we were profoundly touched by his kindness. 

Our flights were quite early the next morning, and we had much packing to do.  A month of hotel living had wreaked havoc on the orderliness that had marked the beginning of our journey, and we had only a few hours to try to squeeze everything into the suitcases.  There was mercy in the exhaustion that caused us to fall asleep immediately.  The inevitable disappointment and sadness could wait for morning

Surprisingly, everyone was quite upbeat on the long plane ride home. We were all quite weary of hotel living, and we were glad to be getting home to friends and school and normalcy.  We spent a great deal of time as we traversed the continent talking about what the future held, and where we would go from here.  When the airplane finally began its descent into Hartford airport, it all seemed right and as it should be.  Boyfriends met us at the baggage claim, and that old familiar van was waiting for us, eerily similar to the one we had been carted around in while in Los Angeles.  Home looked really good, but nothing was quite as wonderful as sleeping in our own beds finally. 

The kids enjoyed relative celebrity status at their schools when they finally returned, but their grades took a serious hit with the extended absence.  This, and the financial shortfall caused by a month with no salary, made the transition a trying one. But the most difficult thing by far for all of us when we returned to our 'normal' lives was the sudden vacuum of identity.  For so many months, we had the America's Got Talent banner hanging over all that we did, and suddenly it was gone. 
But it is in these catastrophic spaces of disappointment and difficulty that you realize the foundations on which your life is built.  Hoped for fame and fortune are like snowflakes falling on a pond.  They are beautiful and breathtaking as you experience them, but once they land, they disappear into the moisture that was always their make up.  Hollywood was stunning and exciting and exhilarating, but our faith and our family and our friends are the things that truly define us and give us hope that tomorrow will be brighter. 

And so ends the saga...but not the dreams.  Please continue to check our website regularly for new and exciting details, and let us hear from you.  We love keeping in touch with our new found friends!

Photo by Rick Scanlan



Gretchen's Heart for Orphans
In early December, 2008, the Taubl Family was honored to be a part of the annual tree lighting in Stamford, CT. 
On a brutally cold December evening, thousands assembled to see Santa rappel down the side of a skyscraper in downtown, and then made their way down the street to Latham Park to hear some Christmas music by the Taubl Family!
Following the festivities, we were invited to the home of some dear friends for delicious food and warm fellowship. 
After dinner, our hosts shared with us a cause that was dear to their heart.  They showed us photographs of an orphanage in Bogotá, Colombia, where they had spent many weeks working with and being blessed by these children. Then we were told the story of the saintly nun and other volunteers who took care of these little ones that had no place to go.  Gretchen was touched by the faces and overwhelmed by the need, and expressed interest in going down to Colombia on the next trip. 
In early January, Gretchen learned that she was officially invited to make the trip, and thanks to the generosity and vision of our wonderful friends, all her expenses were to be paid.  Gretchen will be bringing a shipment of violins to these orphans, and helping to set up a string program for these precious souls.  She will be leaving February 7 and returning February 14. 
Check out the website of this amazing place and learn more about their mission to rescue these innocent little ones.  If you want to learn more about the mission, or if you are wondering what you can do to help,
please contact us at tpianist@aol.com


Emily and the Hartford Symphony

After winning the prestigious Van Rooy competition last fall, Emily was asked to perform with the Hartford Symphony in January of 2008.  Emily was thrilled with the opportunity to work with such a wonderful orchestra.Shortly after that first appearance, Emily received a call from the conductor asking her to appear on a regular season concert in January, 2009.  January 8 - 11 marked Emily's return to the Hartford Symphony stage, this time performing Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major.  Four nights of performing can be a daunting experience, but she handled it beautifully and each night brought more excitement and energy.  The picture above left was her dress rehearsal on Wednesday, January 7. Above right is Emily with her mom backstage on Thursday evening, opening night, nervous but excited, looking radiant in her lavender taffeta gown.  Click here to listen to an excerpt of her performance.

Here is an excerpt of the review written in the Hartford Courant.  "Cellist Emily Taubl joined the orchestra as soloist in the Haydn Concerto in C Major to close the first half of the program. Taubl performed Tchaikovsky's "Pezzo Capriccioso" with the HSO last January. Since then, her family, all nine of them, were finalists on NBC's show "America's Got Talent."
Taubl, a Yale grad now earning a second degree at Hartt, most certainly "got talent." She may project a relaxed and focused exterior, but she has a charismatic musicality. She plays with extraordinary accuracy and lightness. Her passage work in the third movement, taken at breakneck tempo, was breathtaking. In a work with a maze of different themes and passages, she led us through with clarity, logic and conviction. Taubl is going places."


School events for the boys!
This has been a very tricky first semester for the boys.  Due to  America's Got Talent appearances, they had to miss several weeks at the beginning of the year, and spent the rest of the marking period catching up.  One highlight of that first semester was Jack's performance in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  Jack played the part of Oberon, king of the fairies, and was quite convincing.  We didn't' know we had a Shakespearean actor in our midst, but the experience gave Jack a lot to think about in terms of pursuing acting perhaps in college. 
 
The weekend of March 19-21 was the exciting performance of Peter Pan at the boys' school.  This is Jack masquerading as Captain James Hook, with Sam and James hiding in the pirate troupe.  The show was great fun, and Jack enjoyed being the humorous villain, and getting to kill his brother Sam on stage!


YouTube
One of the real perks of participating in America's Got Talent is the national exposure that we received.  The estimated audience for each of the live shows that we performed on was around 15 million people.  We have heard from so many of you, and that has been an amazing thing.  We also have our performances posted on YouTube, so you can share them with your friends, or just go watch them once more yourself.  So many of you have shared that the music is able to bring a smile to your face, even when you are feeling down.  That is a wonderful thing. So check out the videos, and let us hear from you soon!

New York Audition - Sound of Music
"Umbrella" Performance
"When You Believe" Performance
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