The Fat Lady Has Sung

The school year is over.  I conducted my final performance of my inaugural year as a high school choral director on Thursday, June 5th at the Duncan U. Fletcher Senior High School Commencement which was held at the Jacksonville Memorial Arena.

First of all....I had never stepped foot on the floor of the Arena.  (I am a teacher.  We can only afford seats in the nose-bleed section when we go to events at that venue.)  Not only did I step foot on the floor, but I conducted the choir in front of thousands of people.  One of the graduating seniors captured 26 seconds of the National Anthem as it was being broadcast via the Jumbotron.  She was not supposed to have her cell phone on her person, but I'm glad she did.  Now I have 26 seconds of a rather big deal in my little life.

Secondly, we were required to dress in full academic regalia.  I have blogged about this hood-thing before, but let me say it again.  I waited 22 years for my Master's hood and finally got it this year.  Had I not left elementary music and made the switch to high school, I would still be waiting on the elusive hood.

I was getting married 3 months after graduating from my Master's program in 1992.  I did not have $250 to purchase the hood so I could walk in the graduation ceremony.  I apologized to my mom who was very disappointed (but understood my predicament) and moved on.  I told her it would just be a dust-collector in a bottom drawer somewhere and closed that chapter of my life.  There were many times that I regretted that decision, but I really had no choice in the matter.

Earlier this year, my principal informed us that every faculty member was expected to attend graduation in their full regalia.  The same thought crossed my mind again.  How would I pay for the hood the second time around? Long story short...Herff-Jones supplied each of us with our regalia "up to the highest degree conferred" and I proudly swagged my way out onto the floor of the Arena and conducted in it! It was one of the greatest moments of my life.  I waited 22 years for that moment and it didn't cost me a dime.  I don't know who paid for my regalia, but I am forever indebted to them.  Thank you!!

Fletcher Senior High School Chorus

Commencement - 2014

Until next time...

Senior Moment

Another first....and possibly our last.  This celebration was student created, student led and student directed.

Class of 2014 - Duncan U. Fletcher Senior High School Chorus

The next time these beautiful students will sing together will be at their graduation ceremony on Thursday.  This will be their final performance of the year.  Bring the Kleenex....

Until next time...

DCPS P.E.P Rally

Today, I made a choice.  I could have run the "Never Quit" 5K which supports stroke awareness. My dad passed away from complications after a stroke.  However, I decided to hit the asphalt downtown in support of Duval County Public School's 150th birthday and "Read it Forward Jax!!"  After all, I am a teacher in the public school system and I am about to wrap up my first year teaching high school chorus and my tenth year teaching music in Duval County.

It was a beautiful morning in downtown Jacksonville!

There were approximately 800 runners and it was a bit hotter than we like it, but it was nice to be part of something bigger than ourselves today.  An ensemble from First Coast High set the tone by singing our National Anthem at the start of the race.  The Ed White H.S. Drum Line helped us rev up our engines at the starting line and step teams cheered us on to the finish line where the Cathedral Arts Project's "CAP Kids" were playing their violins! Being a music teacher, I greatly appreciated all of it!!

My sister and I had a great day!! She was running on behalf of her daughter's principal who is retiring from La Villa School of the Arts.  We hadn't run together in such a long time and it was for a good cause.

Ms. Janelle Wagoner

Curious George made an appearance

Mrs. Waterman and Mrs. Tamburrino

Silliness in the VIP tent for Teachers

Thanks, Dr. Vitti, for a great family fun day!! And to the folks at Chartwells - THANKS FOR THE FRUIT! It was extremely refreshing after a 3.1 mile run on such a hot day.

Until next time....

"Moe's In May" Fundraiser

We had a great night at Moe's Southwest Grill last night!! Thanks to everyone who came out to support our efforts during our final fundraiser of the year.  This was by far one of the most lively events of our year!!

Thank you, Chorus, for showing up to sing!! The manager loved it!!  Mike, Charlie and the entire staff were so grateful, they said we could come back anytime and do it again.  Mrs. Waterman - you are one of the most talented event planners I know!! Plan on October AND May next year!!

Kenya and Madison

Drawing in the crowd

Trained "wait staff" - we earned every dime we made!

You guys rock!!

Until next time...

In Honor of My Father

My Daddy passed away 14 years ago this month.  Although I am a chorus girl, he was a band guy.  He played the cymbals in the Andrew Jackson High School Marching Band and today a childhood dream was fulfilled in his honor.

My family has a long history with bands.  My dad's brother played the clarinet at Jackson, my aunt played the flute in the Fletcher High School band, my sister was first chair flute/piccolo during her tenure with the FHS band, my cousin's daughter performed with the Color Guard  and my baby sister was captain of the Color Guard (flag corps) at Fletcher High.

...And then there was me.  Singing Senator all the way....until today.

Today was the "Opening of the Beaches Parade" in Jacksonville Beach.  (I find that humorous, because the beach is never closed here.)  In honor of my father, I marched in the parade today while attempting to play the cymbals.

About a month ago, I asked my band director if I could chaperone and walk along the edge with the band parents.  I told him I had never marched in a parade and it was an item on my "bucket list" that I would like to check off.  He said he could do better than that.  He would let me come to rehearsal and learn to play the cymbals. He assigned a percussionist to me who taught me how to hold them, crash them, swizzle them and even injure myself with them!

Somehow, I pinched the inside of my forearm while trying to play them.

I told the band director I took a trophy home with me!

We practiced in the parking lot at school.  It was 85 degrees and we were doing "figure eights" in the parking lot so we could nail our turns during the parade.  I had no clue what I was doing, but the students were so helpful.  I didn't know any of the commands.  I had no idea what "parade rest" meant.  We practiced starting and stopping, rolling our feet, marking time, singing/dancing, hand signaling and chanting the words to "Cheeseburger in Paradise" - all while trying to march in formation.  I have a much higher regard for band students now.  They're an amazing bunch of kids!!

My heartfelt thanks go out to the Duncan U. Fletcher Senior High School Marching Band!! Thanks for teaching me the basics and for giving up your playing time in the parade today so I could fulfill a dream.  I appreciate you!!

Until next time...

Choral State MPA 2014

Yesterday, I took 23 students, 3 chaperones and a flute player on a chartered bus to Tallahassee to perform at the Florida Vocal Association's Music Performance Assessment.  An overall "Superior" at District was our ticket into the festival yesterday.

I am blessed to have a great bunch of kids this year who show up (even when the odds are stacked against us) and give their best effort.  Although I was down 6 kids and most of my seniors had been up all night at Grad Bash the previous night, we made a strong showing.  Three of my students were also band members and had to march in the Opening of the Beaches Parade today.  My "combo kids" are the most dedicated kids I have ever met!!  Somehow they manage to balance their commitments between band and chorus and do it with a smile on their faces.  They have a strong work ethic that most kids these days just do not possess.

We held our own against some rather stiff competition.  The clinician that worked with the students after we performed was very complimentary.  He approved of my repertoire choices, loved the nuance and musicality in our performance, gave us some good pointers to make it even better and applauded my kids on how well they worked together.  There were no divas in the bunch yesterday!! It was truly a team-effort on everyone's part and I am extremely proud of my singers for what they accomplished as a group.

Our final rating was an overall "Excellent" which was a little less than we had hoped, but knowing what it took to get us there, I was grateful.  It was a pleasure to work with our accompanist as well.  Ms. Oberlin was so gracious to travel to Tallahassee and play for us.  It was my first time working with her and she is such an asset at the keyboard.  We will definitely make music together again!

Rock on, Singing Senators!!  I am so proud of you!!

As we move into the final stretch, I am grateful for the successes we have enjoyed this year.  This group of students will always hold a special place in my heart.

Until next time...

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

The Drama department's Spring Musical - "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" was a smashing success!!

I saw the production Friday evening and our students did such a fine job.  Most of them were my chorus students (it's a musical, after all) which made it even more fun for me to watch! The casting director did a phenomenal job and the technical direction was outstanding as well.  A handful of band members played "in the pit" and were a lovely addition to the show.  It was really nice to get to sit in the audience for a change and relax.

Chorus Kids - Left to Right standing:  John Michael, Tylor, Maggie,

Phillip, Eve, Jacob, Jesse, Savannah, Samantha, Logan, Sarah S., Jeff.

Down in Front:  Rachel, Thea, Sarah D. and Sara G.

Not pictured:  Rebecca (she was handing out programs)

Seniors - AGAIN!

My son's handiwork.  He's in the stagecraft class.

Until next time...