Bruce Krieg

Today I took my 6th grade choir to Clackamas Town Center and Town Center Village Retirement Home.  It was a great opportunity to get the kids out of the classroom and performing in public.  Like most music teachers, I’m my worse critic.  I felt I could have used a few more weeks to prepare for the shows.

This morning before we left, of course I had late permission slips to process.  I needed to type out the ‘who’s going list’ like I always do, answer phone calls from parents wondering where in the mall we’re performing, lunch questions and everything else to keep me from rehearsing with my band before the field trip.  (Oh the things teachers have to process before school starts…just ask ANY teacher what a 30 minute morning is like before the kids come).

Anyway, I was able to rehearse with the choir before loading the bus.  I felt the kids were ready and they watched me like a hawk.  It’s wonderful to work with a school group who is learning the importance of a director and how they work as a team.

We arrive at the mall around 15 minutes before the show.  The kids filed on to the risers, I moved the piano where I wanted it, set up the PA system and we were on our way.  I couldn’t tell the kids were actually singing but, I saw the lips moving.  LOL  They were SO nervous that they couldn’t sing out.  They looked great on the risers, but the point is to SING!  haha  The music I selected was Rudolph, Pat-a-Pan, 12 Days of Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and some music from our choir folders.  By the end of the set, I could hear them, but they were still timid as a group.  We sat and ate lunch in the food court and talked about how it went.

When we boarded the bus I mentioned I was very surprised that the sound was so timid and shy because of what I experience in the classroom with them.  These kids LOVE to sing and they enjoy a challenging piece!  I was taken back when I didn’t hear what they could produce.  I reminded them of the purpose of singing.  It’s for them.  It always makes me feel better when I sing and I want them to experience the same!

At Town Center Village the experience was AMAZING!  They were less timid and like most retirement homes, the audience just loved all 35 of them!  The dining room was set up wonderful with a stage and microphones.  The space is acoustically live so it was wonderful to experience the sound of children’s voices in the venue!  The piano, unfortunately, was on the side and I couldn’t possibly direct the kids so we experienced what it was like to be self-directed.  12 Days of Christmas was a nightmare I didn’t want to try, but I did and it was okay!  :)

After we performed the kids sat and talked with the residents and shared stories.  They even met a 103 year old lady who shared stories.  I made sure that they met her because of the rare opportunity to meet a centenarian.  I also mentioned to the choir that “it’s always wonderful to talk to elders because they’ve experienced what you all are getting ready to experience”  The stories they have about life are motivating and wise.  I could tell the kids just ate it up because they didn’t want to leave.

This is the biggest lesson I walked away with.  The more kids are experiencing reality and purposeful learning they will attach more to the subject.  I’m hopeful about scheduling a Spring concert at the venue and continuing a long relationship with them.