This is that delicious moment when our choirs are like compressed springs full of potential energy that we as their conductors must help them realize and focus in the best possible manner. In his article, “Today is the First Day of the Rest of the Year” (Arkansas ACDA Accent Fall 2012), Cliff Ganus discusses that potential:
In the teaching profession, especially in choral music, kids’ needs trump procedure and performance goals every time. Yes, it’s important to hold to high standards, to accomplish as much as possible, to lead students to the highest possible artistic levels. But it’s equally important to train and work with all of the singers, not just the most accomplished and gifted few. It’s important to teach and nourish kids in all areas of learning, not just the musical ones.
My Chorus has multiple goals. We’re 100% musically oriented, 100% spiritually oriented, 100% socially oriented, and 100% educationally oriented. The math may be wrong, but the intent is deliberate.
As choral teachers/directors, we operate under the mandate, so far as possible, to “leave no singer behind.” Sometimes we need to open our eyes and see our choir members not as a means to accomplish our CPA goals, but as young people with cares and needs, kids whose direction in life might well be determined by the way we deal with them in our ensembles. I’m grateful to have been reminded of my reason for choosing teaching as a career.
(For additional articles on a dazzling array of choral topics, visit ChorTeach.)
Marilyn Carver says