Fall Concert

Tonight was my first concert as a middle school choir director. My 6th grade choir did me proud. They sang 4 songs, one a capella round, and three accompanied pieces. I'm so happy with what my choir did tonight!!

Things didn't go perfectly. There was a mix-up with how the students were seated, which also meant they were not in the right order when they got on stage. The kids singing Part 1 were on the side with the ones singing Part 2, and as soon as I realized that, I went on stage to sort them out. It just took a few minutes, and once they were set, we just carried on.

The round went a little too fast, which is a problem they've been having with it for a while. They did the phrasing very well, which we've worked so hard to get just right. Even with a bit of runaway tempo, the phrases weren't clipped, and all 3 parts could be heard. The next song was "Scales and Arpeggios" from the Disney movie, Arisocats. It went VERY well. The two parts were balanced, and the tempo didn't rush.

The ballad came next. It was "Music Speaks." I told the kids to handle it delicately, like a confetti egg that they had made, but weren't ready to use yet. They carried the phrases so beautifully. After they sang it, I did have to hold back a tear. The last song was the one where they could bust the confetti egg on the audience. "Sing Cantate Domino!" was the explosive, sparkling closer. That song could have been a good opener, but it programmed very well as the closer. It left that happy, celebratory feeling with the audience right as we finished.

So now, after a happy night, I'm exhausted. I'm satisfied. Hubby and the girls came, and so did my mom. I nearly cried when I saw Mom. I didn't know she was there until afterward. I ran into her in the lobby as she was just about to leave. It's been a really great day. I'm ready for bed...