Singers rise to meet her great expectations

Her students say that’s accurate, but crazy in a good way, an “awesome” way.

“She’s so into music it’s hard not to get into it yourself,” said 12-year-old John Gray. “She is so precise, but nice about it. She is so energized, just bouncing around; I don’t know how she does it. There is a spark in her that won’t be extinguished.”  Burch is a music teacher at Marshfield Junior High and leader of the Junior Jays, Marshfield’s award-winning choir for grades 4-6. She founded the choir 17 years ago and in that time has amassed scads of musical honors.

This year alone, they have performed at or will perform at the Capitol rotunda; the Springfield and Saint Louis Cardinal’s games, various contests and the Missouri Music Educators Association meeting at Tan-Tar-A. Chosen choirs are only allowed to perform every four years at that meeting, and this is the Junior Jays’ third time to be selected.

Burch is not surprised by her students’ success.