“Be a mature human being, Bruce. Don’t be nervous.”
Those words come from somewhere deep inside me … and deep inside my society. But they don’t ring true. The request, even a demand, to “be better” is false.
Tomorrow at 11:00 am I sing ten songs on the Langement, a shopping street in Gent.
Saturday at 11:00 am I have a two-hour exam for my Music Theory class.
I experience both as huge challenges. Will I forget words on Friday and concepts on Saturday? The answer that comes is …
Probably
However:
Will I still be vertical at the end of it all?
Will my heart continue to beat?
Will happiness still be available?
Yes
Today I will practice the songs and figure out how to adjust the amplifier knobs. I will study rhythms, pitches, scales and musical styles.
And as a friend said about his own exam:
All will be fine
And if it turns out not be to fine
All will be fine
Bruce's Blog 
You can do it Bruce! Being nervous means it is important to you! Just think, no one has heard you sing so it will be a lovely new experience to draw them in, or they might choose to keep walking! The lovely souls in the pairs always talk about green room nerves! Have fun!