I got a call the other day…actually a FACEBOOK message…from
a friend of mine. He’s the music director at Kokomo High School which was
to host the ISSMA district solo and ensemble competition.
That’s Indiana State School Musical Association in case you
didn’t know. It looked like 7 or 8 schools, including one from 75 miles away,
traveled to our school for this event. My friend was looking for helpers; I had
the morning free; and honestly, I miss being around high school kids.
So I got my tank filled this morning. Students from 5th
grade up were included in the mix. My coordinating parent found a nice job and
spot for me:
1. 1) Keep
the musicians moving.
2. 2L Check
off the names
3. 3)When
the performer comes out, hand him his card, marked wit his award, so he can
get his medal.
4. 4)Save
the judge’s score sheets until a Runner comes to collect them.
5. 5)Keep
the noise down in the hall.
Some actualities came up for which I had no instructions; classroom teachers wing it all the time but I
found that when you are following someone else’s directions, you are less
comfortable with solving problems on your own.
I was parked outside the ‘STRINGS’ room so I got to rotate
violinists, cellists and bassists, in solo and then ensemble, as they entered,
played and then exited. And in between, while kids waited, some gathered around
just to chat. I am still a bit of a kid magnet. Kids offered their personal
tips for stage fright, they choices for costume, and their questions about
where to eat lunch.
 |
| Congratulations, ALEX!!! |
The schedule was optimistically packed and what was supposed
to end by 11:30 ran until 1. It was so much fun to spend a snowy morning in my
old stomping ground, missing the kid part of teaching.
And added bonus: my talented nephew, Alex Bolinger, took a GOLD medal in the trombone solo.
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