Classroom+Information

Welcome!

Students,

I would like to welcome all of you to the SJHS/LVHS choral program. For many of you, this will be old ground. For others, it will be quite new. Yet for both new and old, it should be an exciting year.

For years I have admired the Lander area. Therefore, of course, I jumped at the chance to be a part of the schools and the community here. To make matters even more exciting, I come to a school and district already rich and teeming with the arts… specifically the vocal program. Perhaps unbeknownst to you, the Lander choirs have a reputation for good musicianship and are recognized often at the state level. I just want to reassure you that I intend to continue this endeavor.

This year will include many challenges as well as (I’m sure) triumphs. I am a first year teacher, and so though you are experiencing a change in staffing, you are not the only ones going through a change. I have quite a bit of experience when it comes to being in front of choirs, however I have limited experience when it comes to running a full fledged choral program. In this I beg your patience.

It is my hope that we, as a department, can grow together and come to work as a team to create beautiful musical moments. After all, is that not why we are here? I have a deep love of choral music, and it is obvious that you do as well or you would not be here. I cannot wait to begin experiencing the worlds first form of ensemble art together.

I am looking forward to a great year with you all, and I have a few surprises up my sleeve, so brace yourselves!! For those of you with a year or two under your belts… you may notice that there are things that I do differently from your previous director. This is to be expected and should be taken with some understanding. I cannot be other than who I am. However I encourage you to come to me and talk if you ever have a question or concern.

Let’s get to it!

Things to Know


 * Humor: I love it and I hope you do too! There will be a lot of this in my classroom… its good for you I promise


 * Open Door: If you ever have a problem, need, want, suggestion, or just want to vent – my door is always open. I like to hear from you. Don’t let it stew….


 * Bullying: As per the district policy (and mine personally) I don’t tolerate bullying of any kind. This is the best way to earn yourself a trip out the door. I despise it, and you should too!


 * Suggestions: I said this in “Open Door”, but I want to emphasize it. I know what kind of music I like – I have no idea what you like. We are a community, and though this is a dictatorship, I will never disregard your suggestions as to music or activities. In fact I WANT to hear about them.


 * Excellence: I expect you to strive toward excellence…always. We all have our off days, or even a run of them. Don’t let that get in the way of you making music. Do your best, and no one can be disappointed in you.


 * Trust and Respect: It is in my nature to trust you first, and then be wrong if I will. If you have my trust, you will have my respect and vice versa. Once you violate that trust, it’s difficult to get back, though it can be done. My suggestion: Don’t lose it in the first place.


 * Be Prepared: Always come to choir with a pencil, your music, and a good attitude. We can’t enjoy making music if you decide you want to come unprepared.


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 170%;">Music-making: Notes and rhythms are, in my book, about 10% of the music making process. We make even better music once we have those out of the way and can focus on style, blend, and all of those other aspects that create a choral sound. Moral of the story: Come to choir with your music learned so we aren’t waiting on you!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 190%;">