When I'm leading a choir, teaching musical concepts through a given piece of music, it thrills me to my core like nothing else. And when the choir actually gives me back what I asked for... there is nothing like it.
I truly love what I do. I have wondered if I would ever get to the point of finding a job I could do for the rest of my life. I have always heard that in order to be satisfied professionally, you have to find something that you can do that you would do even if you weren't getting paid to do it. I think directing choirs is that thing for me.
I have often tried to do it "on the side" with adults, and the problem has been that they don't stay committed. Well, if you get a group of kids, and they have to be there, it's all the better. Of course that compulsory element brings with it administrative stuff that is less than fun, and then you get into why I get paid to do what I do. Not only do I get to do the fun stuff, actually leading the choirs, but I also have to do that other garbage that I must be paid to do.
Anyway, I have had people ask me how things are going with the whole going back to work thing. I'd say that things are going well, and my calling is confirmed.
Then there's the other part of the calling. Why now? Why not next year when Little Girl would be in Kindergarten? I have no doubt that I am called to those kids that I will only be able to reach this year. Next year my 8th graders will be 9th graders, and even if I got this very same job, I would not be able to make any impact on those kids. Timing is an important aspect of this.
I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Just wanted to share.
I have a feeling that the eternal implications of this calling will be hidden for a long, long time, so I'm not looking for tangible results in that arena. My short-term goals are to build relationships and to make music. From relationships will come influence, and from music-making will come shared experiences, strengthening relationships. This is a good place to be.
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