A new book authored by Michael Parker which shares rehearsal stories from legends and everyday heroes has just been released in the UK.
Once More With Feeling is the first to explore rehearsal practices that are common to artists, athletes, politicians and interviewees in their pursuit of success.
Michael Parker is the UK’s leading pitch coach and author of the bestselling book on how to present yourself, It’s Not What You Say, It’s The Way You Say It! He draws on both his experience from competing as a hurdler in two Olympics, and from over 1000 business pitches, in compiling these stories.
Michael Parker said: “Rehearsal isn’t just for actors. Once More with Feeling has a wide-ranging scope of appeal for anyone preparing to perform, from the nerve-wracking job interview to the corporate world of contract negotiation, team-briefings and presentations.
“In the expanding world of social media, influencers aim to entice their followers to buy into their journey. Rarely can any of this be best achieved off-the-cuff or in a single take.”
The book has received rave reviews. Caroline Goyder, author, Find Your Voice said:
“I’m sure anyone, artist or athlete, set on mastering their performance, will gain from these stories. I did!”
Jonathan Maitland, playwright and broadcaster said: “Whatever you’re preparing for – a speech, job interview, business pitch, sports event, concert or play – this book will improve your performance. Full of invaluable nuggets of advice.”
Once More With Feeling is available to purchase from Amazon, Waterstones, Brown Dog Books and leading UK bookstores .
Michael Parker added: “This book will be of interest to both coaches and the coached. Whatever you’re preparing for – speech, job interview, business pitch, sporting event, concert or play, it will inspire your performance, and help you stand out in a world of AI.”
Buy your copy of Once More With Feeling
Published by Brown Dog. Also available to order in Waterstones branches
Highlights
Some story highlights. First the legends where rehearsal works for the famous and infamous. To inspire their people in a crisis both Churchill and King George rehearsed ceaselessly to overcome their stammers. To inspire his audiences, in the crisis he created, Hitler rehearsed ceaselessly the commanding body language learnt from Wagnerian opera stars.
No wonder Taylor Swift – “I prepare for everything beyond the extent of preparation”– conquers all. She shares the thinking of Sun Tzu –“to …not prepare is the greatest of crimes.” The Art of War.
Two legends who demonstrate similarity in rehearsal of artist and athlete are Demosthenes ‘ greatest of orators’ who ran up hills ‘declaiming verses’ to strengthen his voice and Muhammad Ali ‘greatest of boxers’ who trained while declaiming his verse, “ I am the greatest” to reinforce his self-belief.
The hero stories are as revealing. The business leader Ciaran brings the rigorous rehearsal learnt on the rugby field to his workplace. ‘Rehearsal is about being the best you can be.’ Olga successfully promoted her startup by rehearsing to care for her audience and stop worrying about herself.
And actor Imogen says, “rehearsal is where the magic happens”. She was talking about stage performance. I believe I this lovely thought holds just as true for the everyday moments that matter.
Michael Parker
Michael draws on both his experience from competing as a hurdler in two Olympics and from over 1000 business pitches in compiling these stories. The UK’s leading pitch coach, he is the author of the internationally bestselling book on how to present yourself, It’s Not What You Say, It’s The way You Say It!
Some Statistics
No published survey looks at ‘rehearsal’ in demo graphic terms. The category is defined more by age, attitude and ambition. For TED Talks, spreading ideas. over 55% of viewers are aged 18-34. In UK, there are around 500,000 teachers, many of the younger open to new thinking. Some 100,000 fulltime sport coaches are reinforced by some 2% of the population coaching part-time. Understanding rehearsal is essential for them and their striving pupils.