But sadly I have found that in my current position, I don't like, ok, I despise the choral program. I rarely look forward to teaching either of my two choirs (5/6 and 7/8). This is partially due to the schedule and mainly due to my lack of ability to teach this age group.
The deal is I don't get to see my choirs very often. So all of the things that I LOVE doing - fun warm-ups, sight-reading, activities to help us read the music - I feel like I have no time to do any of it because it's just soooo important to get ready for the concert. I find myself just pushing them through to learn the notes and memorize the songs in the little time that we have. And as a result, my rehearsals are lame and unfulfilling and the kids are not learning a darn thing about reading music or vocal technique - two things that are essential to being in a choir!!!!!!!
It's to the point where I'll be sitting in one of my own choral rehearsals and find myself thinking about my students and how they are not getting nearly as much out of Choir as they could be and that I'm depriving these kids of a great experience. (I know it sounds dramatic but that's really how I feel!)
The thing that's hardest for me is the younger kids. I forget sometimes that for most of them, this is the first time they've been in a Chorus. They don't know what it's like to be a good Chorus student - what frame of reference do they have? I am the one who should be teaching them these basic fundamental things, but I find myself NOT doing that! It's like I just expect them to know what to do and when they don't, I just get frustrated and negative. I wish I could find the balance between making my rehearsals fun while still creating a true learning environment.
I know the best answer for me is to stop making excuses and to teach the way I want to. Sure, I don't see them a lot, but that doesn't mean I can't come up with routines to get us warmed up and make them think about their voices. It doesn't mean I can't spend 2 minutes doing a sight-reading exercise or choose one less song to do in the concert. I know that in the long run, it is way better to take the time to teach them how to read music and how to sing correctly.
I'm also in a school where I have a lot of freedom to do what I like with the choral program. So theoretically I could audition all my singers and only take the ones who I know will take it seriously - even in 5th grade. But is that right? Should I give all the young kids a chance, or raise the credibility of the program by adding a screening process? Will this discourage good kids from joining if they're afraid to audition, or will it "weed out" the kids that I get frustrated with?
I'd love to hear your thoughts, as usual.
Almost spring break!
Tried to comment last night but it didn't take...
ReplyDeleteI've been there and it's totally normal!! I teach 4th and 5th graders chorus, once a week for a half hour...and yet still have that "two concerts a year" thing to contend with. The fall concert sometimes comes up after just 6 fourth grade rehearsals, depending on holidays. The good news is, this frustration you're feeling will MAKE you make the changes your program/teaching needs.
The best thing I ever learned about this was from spending a year teaching alongside Norm Zogaib. His choruses don't perform until January, because he doesn't think they're ready until then, especially his 9th graders. To him, it's more important that the kids learn about music, and to that end, he will have them sing things that are "easy" if they need to work on other things-- but then they'll sing those "easy" songs really musically and well.
Frank Scinta at Performing Arts does something similar-- when he wants to work on technique, he programs an Italian art song and has them sing it in unison.
For me, personally, the key has actually been not taking myself too seriously. :) Variety in rehearsals and rep, pick only appealing rep, and try to focus on what they need to succeed at the next level.
Remember, if they don't have enough fun to sign up in High School...then anything you've taught them will be right out the window. :) Most important for them to love it as much as you do. :)
Laura