OK, so remember how I said that I was going to limit the sizes of Spotlight and VA? I meant it. We need to make the groups smaller so they can rehearse more efficiently, perform with more elbow room, and so each singer can get more individual attention.
The problem with that, which I've always hated with the heat of a thousand suns, is that smaller groups meant leaving more kids out. I want to work with more of my students, not fewer, so how can I bring myself to shrink the groups?
Here's the answer. I'm splitting Spotlight and Voice Activated into two levels. There will be a top group of each ("Silver") and a lower group ("Blue"). This way more students are involved (rather than just getting cut outright), and we can still have groups that balance. It'll also create a healthy competition to have another level besides just "in or out".
This doesn't mean everyone made it. We still had several kids who didn't show me in the auditions that they were ready for the independence, confidence, and skill these groups require. Usually this just means you need another year to grow as a singer. Keep singing, keep listening, keep challenging yourself. Experiment with tone, breathing, posture. Make sure you are super prepared for auditions, both as a soloist and in terms of knowing prepared selections. You can expect the nerves attack you, so you have to be extra prepared to compensate. Part of that preparation means that everyone who made the groups is signed up for choir or band next year. I need to see not only that music is a priority for you, but that you are committed to improving even after you make one of these groups.
I'll answer some specific questions later ("What about the OFEE BBQ? Who sings at the Elementary Fest? Who sings at the Christmas Walk? Can I come to the Spotlight party?"), but for now I just wanted to adjust your expectations a bit. I'm tremendously excited about what this change means for our choir program. One thing you can be confident in: We are growing, improving, and taking another big step. I love that I get to take this step with you. I'm proud of all of you, whether you made a group or not.
I'll post the roster for all four groups at 4:30pm today (5/30).
The problem with that, which I've always hated with the heat of a thousand suns, is that smaller groups meant leaving more kids out. I want to work with more of my students, not fewer, so how can I bring myself to shrink the groups?
Here's the answer. I'm splitting Spotlight and Voice Activated into two levels. There will be a top group of each ("Silver") and a lower group ("Blue"). This way more students are involved (rather than just getting cut outright), and we can still have groups that balance. It'll also create a healthy competition to have another level besides just "in or out".
This doesn't mean everyone made it. We still had several kids who didn't show me in the auditions that they were ready for the independence, confidence, and skill these groups require. Usually this just means you need another year to grow as a singer. Keep singing, keep listening, keep challenging yourself. Experiment with tone, breathing, posture. Make sure you are super prepared for auditions, both as a soloist and in terms of knowing prepared selections. You can expect the nerves attack you, so you have to be extra prepared to compensate. Part of that preparation means that everyone who made the groups is signed up for choir or band next year. I need to see not only that music is a priority for you, but that you are committed to improving even after you make one of these groups.
I'll answer some specific questions later ("What about the OFEE BBQ? Who sings at the Elementary Fest? Who sings at the Christmas Walk? Can I come to the Spotlight party?"), but for now I just wanted to adjust your expectations a bit. I'm tremendously excited about what this change means for our choir program. One thing you can be confident in: We are growing, improving, and taking another big step. I love that I get to take this step with you. I'm proud of all of you, whether you made a group or not.
I'll post the roster for all four groups at 4:30pm today (5/30).
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