Christmas Around the World

Andrew and Anna are my students at school in music.  This is the first time other than bible class that I have taught both my children in a classroom setting.  On December 19, we had our Christmas program at school.  I did a play that I wrote the year Anna was born for another school program.  For everyone to be able to fit on stage and be a part of the program, we had the same play performed twice with different grade levels.  Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd (Anna's grade) performed in the morning and 3rd, 4th and 5th (Andrew's grade) performed in the afternoon.  Both of my kids were in the first and last scene.  Anna was kid one and Andrew was Kid 5 and he got to throw a football and run on stage.  It is funny how I wrote this play with no knowledge or even a thought that one day my own children would be in that very play.

Now anyone that knows me on the professional level, knows how meticulous I am when it comes to the final product.  For several weeks, I felt this was not going well and it just was not up to my standards.  I was quite frustrated and just wanted it to be over.  At the same time I could not let Andrew and Anna know my frustrations for they were doing their part really well for two shy kids. 

The day came and went.  Many of the teachers said it was the best they have ever seen.  My principal told me for the first time Facebook blew up with positive comments over how well behaved and how well the kids sounded.  Wow!  All of the stop and start over until it is done right did pay off after all.

Now speaking from a Mom's point of view.........I was proud of Anna and Andrew.  Anna spoke loudly and did her part as if she was really having a conversation with Uncle Bob and her cousins.  Andrew spoke clearly and loudly on his part and he made it through the whole play without coughing! Yes!!!!

Plans next?  The next few weeks will be some of favorite lessons about composers.  I actually dig deep and bring these composers to life so my students get to know them and appreciate their music.  I do different projects with them.  My favorite is "Who Murdered Mozart?"  This is a lesson that I have written and developed almost 20 years ago and it never gets old.