Busy Times

Well, this week was quite the week. My brain was working 100 mph, and school was crazy. But spring break is finally here-whew!

On Friday A Cappella (my advanced mixed choir) sang at an NAU concert downtown Phoenix. We sang at Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful beautiful venue to sing in. The students really enjoyed it, and it was a special thing for me too. I graduated from NAU, so being a part of this concert meant that my career and college worlds were colliding. Shrine of the Ages Choir sang the first half of the concert, then there was a brief intermission. After intermission A Cappella came on and sang three songs (and did a wonderful job too). Shrine finished the rest of the concert, and the final piece was Z. Randall Stroope's Homeland which both choirs sang together. The best part was I conducted! So here I am in this fabulous venue, with a 120 voice choir of my students, my friends and colleagues. Homeland holds a special place in my heart. In high school my choir sang that song on our tour and I got so into the song that I started raising my hands at the words "Homeland, the country that I love, hold out your arms to me." So this experience was not just cool, it was so special. The week prior to the concert I had been so nervous to conduct Shrine. I knew they would be analyzing my every movement and gesture, and Copley would be watching EVERYTHING. My students, me, EVERYTHING. As a student, you almost can't help but want to make your teacher and mentor proud. So when Copley walked up to me and said, "You're wonderful. Your gesture is clear, it's gorgeous...it's everything that makes a teacher proud" I knew I had arrived. Another thing that made it a truly special night was the fact that German introduced me when A Cappella sang. I consider German to be a great mentor and friend. He also told me he was so proud of me-so I guess I'm on the right track. It was a huge "ah ha" moment for me. I've realized that in the world of high school choral music, everyone needs these from time to time. That night reminded me the reason I began this job, and why I will continue to give it my all for many years to come. It was the concert of the year for me.

There's been other good news on the choral front. I received a call from Mark Lawlor at Oklahoma State. He said he saw A Cappella perform at the MPS Choral Festival, and liked what he saw. He invited us to sing at Carnegie Hall March 2010! A huge huge honor as you may imagine. So that's been another wonderful opportunity that I'm looking forward too. God has really blessed me and rewarded my work with things like this-things I cannot claim are from me or my work-they're really a blessing from God.

Well, this week is Spring Break and I'm SO looking forward to the time off. Although the time will not be "off" it'll be filled with organizing and painting and landscaping-I still can't wait. Patrick's parents are coming at the end of the week too which will keep me busy and enjoying my time off. It's always fun spending time with his family, and mine. Spring Break here I come!