Choral Ethics: Gifted

“We are all gifted. That is our inheritance.” Ethel Waters

A few years ago, I was talking to a father of a gifted child. I knew his child was gifted because he told me, over and over again, that she was gifted. I wasn’t exactly sure why she was gifted until toward the end of our conversation because he didn’t tell me why she was gifted until the end our conversation. I heard how natural, how innovative, how unique, how intuitive, and how she soared above her peers and even many ADULTS (she was eleven/twelve at the time) with her skills. Are you curious about what she was gifted in? Baking, that was it, baking.

I taught an elementary school chorus for a few years, a community children’s chorus for ten years, directed a few church children’s choirs and taught ballet all through music school and after. I know about, what my own mother called “Ballet Mamas”, big time and I’ve tried not to be a variation of a Ballet Mama in my own life. It’s difficult handling them and I have had my share of encounters with wild-eyed parents. I once had a parent call when I was directing my elementary school chorus’s talent show because I didn’t give her daughter a part. I would have, but her daughter didn’t audition, even though I had sent out flyers and there were announcements made. The mom knew about the auditions. Mom said she didn’t think her daughter HAD to audition because the park district’s theater program didn’t have the kids audition and her daughter was obviously gifted. I told her this wasn’t the park district. She went to the principal. I still refused to give her a part and the principal backed me up.

I’ve been an Orchestra Mom and a Band Mom and a Mathlete Mom and a Physics Mom and a Piano Mom and a Cello Mom and a Special Ed/Autism Mom and my boys were gifted, yes there were (and are). But I didn’t become obnoxious, or at least, I tried not to become obnoxious. It was tough when my youngest, a pianist (now with three degrees in piano), was in concerto competitions in high school and I didn’t engage in the nonsense. My kiddo either won or placed, and I tried to stay above the fray, but it was tough!

Sally* tells me she has HAD IT with her students’ parents. A Junior High choral teacher, also in charge of the spring musical and co-director with the drama teacher of the fall play, she never has had SO MANY GIFTED STUDENTS. This is according to their parents, obviously.

Of course, she’s argued with parents about their kids not getting the leads in shows before in her career. But Sally tells me this school year has been the worst, and the drama teacher agrees. So, they ask, how do they stop it, once and for all? I’ve got a few ideas.

They could double (or triple) cast plays and musicals if they don’t already do so. Usually there are at least two, if not three, performances even at the Junior High level, so this might work. The only problem would be for the jockeying of performance dates, but there could be some creative ways of choosing which cast does what performance. Brainstorm between the two of you and stick to it. I’ve given kids in the chorus clever names or titles for their characters instead of anonymous chorus girl or boy,  and that also takes the sting out of not getting a lead. If you must consult your department chair, then do it before you decide anything, so everyone is on the same page.

Have rules in place FOR THE PARENTS. I know a high school drama department which has the policy if a parent calls, texts, or emails to complain about what part their child gets–or doesn’t get–after an audition for a play or a musical, that child is automatically removed from the production. I think that’s a bit harsh, but I understand why they would have the policy. The parents certainly can gossip and complain to each other, but not to the teachers and directors.

Do you have any advice or ideas for Sally and the drama teacher? Spring musical auditions start next week so let’s help them before they start!

*Name Withheld