It is hard to believe we are almost midway through the second nine weeks. Two weeks ago I took my students to our first festival of the year. My advanced ladies walked away with a one, and my mixed chorus had a high two - one point away from a one, to be exact.
Strangely, I was not upset over the two. I knew it was coming. First, I was missing eight students from a forty voice choir because of state band championships. Second, they really needed the reality check that they still have a lot of growing and developing to do as a choir. I was dealing with a lot of egos and cockiness earlier in the week at our fall concert, and I think the rating may have helped put some of them back in their place. I was proud of how they performed, it was technically clean, they really just need to take themselves to the next level of musicality.
I hardly ever talk about ratings in class. I am not one of those directors to constantly be hounding students about getting a one. But, I do like that every once in a while, I can remind my choir that they are not yet a superior ensemble, but they certainly are capable of becoming one by February and district festival.... provided I pick the right rep (I don't tell them this last part!)

I was very pleased with how my ladies performed. I honestly think the scores should have been higher, and I think us singing in the morning affected this. Strange how I agreed with the two we got, but I thought the one should have been higher! We sang Koepke's Dance on My Heart and the Dengler Things that Never Die. I am in love with the Dengler... almost didn't program it because I was worried I didn't have the group for it... but boy am I glad that I did. Those ladies sang with energy, commitment, musicality... I was proud. I think it helped that by the time we got to festival we already had eight performances under our belt - I felt comfortable in front of them, and they felt comfortable on stage.

And now we turn to holiday music. I have the same complaint as every year... not enough time for score study, and certainly not enough time for rehearsal. I am really pleased with the rep that I picked though, so I am really hoping I don't have to make any cuts.

We also recently got done with our district honor choir. I always love watching other clinicians work. It is so rejuvenating to watch others and say, oh, yes, musicality always must come first! I will never forget when my high school choral director said five words in rehearsal, "Above all things, be musical." I was 16, and the statement really caught me off guard; I'll never forget the moment. Vowels, notes, intonation, all those things we always work on, and the most important thing is to be musical??? Well, ten years later, I realize, OF COURSE it is! What a blessing it is to be a part of this profession and continue the choral art.