As a Colorado native, I always love to incorporate pieces in my spring concert that created imagery of what was about to appear when the snow melted away! For me, the text painting, expression (both musically and visually), and blend always came naturally to students when working on these songs because of the visualization and collaboration that was possible in the rehearsal process.
These songs come in a variety of arrangements but all have one thing in common - flowers (and okay one plant)! Check them out and welcome spring! A Rose Touched by the Sun's Warm Rays by Jean Berger Why I love it: This beautiful legato piece for SATB features lovely harmonies and can be sung in English or German. It's acapella and there are a lot of great places to work on balance, watching the conductor, and intonation. Afternoon on a Hill by Eric William Barnum Why I love it: Although this song can be a challenge, the final product is so stunning. The text paints a beautiful picture and is great to work vowels, diction, and phrasing. It's also an opportunity to discuss the poet (Edna St. Vincent Millay was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1923!) or collaborate with an English teacher on analyzing poetry and poetry writing. The dynamic contrasts are possibly one of the best parts of the song, ever changing and always taking a turn... execution from the ensemble is key! Come to my Garden (The Secret Garden) arr. John Leavitt Why I love it: I've programmed this song more times than I can count and every single time the product is different and just as beautiful. There are moments in this song where you disappear into the text and melodic lines, and the singers will be captivated by the beauty. Although it's technically musical theater, it can be sung with a more choral tone if you prefer. Additionally, there's room for optional solos if you want to highlight some individual singers! Dome Epais (Lakme) Delibes arr. Francisco J. Nunez Why I love it: This gorgeous song has such powerful harmonies (rightfully so for "the flower duet!"). It can work for a multitude of ensembles and opens so many doors - singing in a foreign language (French), diving into opera, learning about French composers (Leo Delibes), or collaborating with your school's art department - the work comes at the pivot between impressionism and neo-impressionalism in French painting, so you could compare the descriptive text with Pissaro, Monet, or Renoir paintings! Sakura arr. Linda Spevacek Why I love it: Sakura is a great song for a beginning choir. The two part arrangement of this Japanese folk song is accessible but stunning, and showing photos of the cherry blossoms will help your singers connect with the text. This song is another great opportunity for students to sing in a foreign language, develop tone and phrasing, and dive into Japanese culture! The Four Leaf Clover by Kevin Padworski Why I love it: This song will expose your students to more complex (and changing!) time signatures all while telling the story of the four-leaf clover. It's positive message makes diction is a must, and keeping the phrasing while enunciating the words will be a great workout for your singers. Additionally, I love to support local Colorado composers and Kevin is a fantastic one! He is a passionate educator and composes such creative music that is accessible for any level of choir. What are your favorite floral choral arrangements? Let me know in the comments below!
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Using "Happy Birthday" in the classroom is the EASIEST activity to use and reuse with close to zero planning. My suggestions will be through the lens of a choral classroom, but they could be easily adapted for general or instrumental music!
I LOVED to have my students sing "Happy Birthday" to staff members around the school. In addition to making the recipient feel celebrated, these mini performances:
Here's how I introduced the activity:
"It's [insert random staff member's birthday here]'s birthday today! We have the opportunity to make them smile and bring them joy today. Here's the plan." From there, I give a set of directions based on the group I'm working with. Here are some ideas:
What ideas do you have? Share below, I'd love to hear!
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The music binder is a sacred thing. Full of marked up music, rosters, tabs and stickies, this thing could make it through any storm unscathed. It goes everywhere with me... it's thrown in bags, tossed on the passenger seat, falls off the piano, students grab it off the music stand when I forget it... can anyone else relate?
After 10 years with this extra limb, I've come to have some MUST HAVES to keep my binder organized and accessible. These are a few of my favorite MUSIC BINDER things! And PS, before anyone asks, all of the music in my photos is e-print and has been purchased legally!
Thick Post-It Tabs
Want these tabs? Order on Amazon by clicking the image!
Why I love it: These tabs are so thick and durable! They withstand thousands of page turns and constant binder travel. I love these specific tabs, and they are also available in different colors, a clear version with colored line, or longer tab! You can write on them clearly with pencil, pen, or sharpie, and they are easy to remove and re-stick.
Want these holders? Order on Amazon by clicking the image!
Why I love it: I lose my pencil within 5 minutes of a rehearsal, and not once has my pencil stayed the binder pocket during transport! These sticky pencil holders can be attached anywhere on your binder, stand, planner, etc. They are easy to peel off and are super durable! My only complaint is that I wish they were made in other colors. They are a GAME CHANGER for any musician!
Want these sticky notes? Order on Amazon by clicking the image!
Why I love it: These post-it notes are THE BEST. This length specifically is my go-to. It's the perfect size to add a warm-up routine, jot down kids who are doing amazing so you can send some positive emails later, write down people who came in late, or take notes for things to get to next time. There are a variety of colors available and they come in a pack of four!
Want these items? Order on Amazon by clicking the image!
Why I love it: I don't know about you, but music in my binder rips ALL THE TIME. I guess my page turns are violent haha! For a quick fix, I keep a page of reinforcement labels in the pocket of my binder, but my favorite way to fix these tears is to use washi tape! Just rip off a piece, fold over the edge of the paper to cover where the hole would be, and hole punch again! This fix reminds me of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken items with gold or silver filling, thus celebrating the history of an object. Each time I see my washi tape, (and sometimes several different prints of washi tape), it reminds me of previous times I've performed a piece! You can see an example with gold plaid washi tape below :)
Want these cards? Order on Amazon by clicking the image!
Why I love it: Just today I used one of these cards in a rehearsal! We were teaching middle schoolers choreography... half were in person and half were on zoom, which was super challenging, as I'm sure you can imagine! I was working with our "Zoomies" and wanted to prepare them to be as successful as possible despite the circumstance. In addition to reminding them to make a clear space to dance, I read them the following quote: "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." - Brian Tracy. I love keeping a few of these cards in my binder for various reasons - I can randomly hand one to a kid having a bad day, read one out loud if we need a break in the rehearsal but I don't want to lose their focus, or have a discussion on what the kids think a quote means to them. It's empowering and this specific set is the perfect size and has quotes I really connect with!
What are your music binder must-haves!? Comment below!
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If I'm being honest, reading is the last thing I think to do. Listening to music? Yes. Watching Netflix? 100%. Watching my toddler and doing a thousand loads of laundry? All day every day.
That being said, reading is such a vital part of our professional development. Learning from every authors passion, experience, wisdom, and unique perspectives through their writing is an invaluable tool that impacts our growth as educators. So without further ado, these are a few of my favorite MUST READS for music educators right now!! Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
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Are the things you're doing in your classroom today setting you up for success in the fall? This is a question that typically has a performance-based subtext, but my wisdom today is a great reminder of what will keep our programs healthy long-term - how students feel in your class.
In this season where many educators can barely think past the present moment, there must be a shift in focus to think towards the spring and following fall. I'll say it bluntly: music programs will cease to exist if educators don't do a great job retaining and recruiting for the upcoming school year.
Think about it - in this time of uncertainty, why would a student want to sign up for your class? What's enjoyable about a virtual, hybrid, or restrictive in-person music class? In my opinion, students join a music class for three reasons:
1. Because of the teacher.
2. Because of the class environment.
3. Because of the content.
My focus today is not on #1 or #3 (although both are important!) but rather on #2. (Also check out the blog later for recruitment ideas!) Today's post is just for reflection and to inspire a shift to action if needed.
In this season where many educators can barely think past the present moment, there must be a shift in focus to think towards the spring and following fall. I'll say it bluntly: music programs will cease to exist if educators don't do a great job retaining and recruiting for the upcoming school year.
Think about it - in this time of uncertainty, why would a student want to sign up for your class? What's enjoyable about a virtual, hybrid, or restrictive in-person music class? In my opinion, students join a music class for three reasons:
1. Because of the teacher.
2. Because of the class environment.
3. Because of the content.
My focus today is not on #1 or #3 (although both are important!) but rather on #2. (Also check out the blog later for recruitment ideas!) Today's post is just for reflection and to inspire a shift to action if needed.
While students take great pride in the exalted experience of a great performance, they also treasure being a part of an inclusive ensemble that welcomes and values all members.
"An inclusive ensemble that welcomes and values all members"... How can music teachers establish this in a virtual setting? Hybrid? In-person with limitations? What if you're only seeing half of each class? What if you have 80 students in a virtual class?
The best question to ask is, no matter what your class looks like, what can YOU do to make sure EACH and EVERY STUDENT feels welcome and valued?
Of course this looks different for every single program and situation, but it's possible! The educators who can facilitate this inclusivity and loving space will have the highest retention because students will want to be there.
So - consider this your call to action! Drop the focus on content if needed, that pressure has no space here. What have you done to connect with each kid? What opportunities have you facilitated for student connection with one another? What is the student perspective of being in your class right now (in fact, I encourage you to ask them!) and what can you do to help them feel included and valued?
Thank you to Chad for his brilliant reminder of what is important in our field. I'd love to hear what you're doing to facilitate this in your classroom - drop a comment below!
The best question to ask is, no matter what your class looks like, what can YOU do to make sure EACH and EVERY STUDENT feels welcome and valued?
Of course this looks different for every single program and situation, but it's possible! The educators who can facilitate this inclusivity and loving space will have the highest retention because students will want to be there.
So - consider this your call to action! Drop the focus on content if needed, that pressure has no space here. What have you done to connect with each kid? What opportunities have you facilitated for student connection with one another? What is the student perspective of being in your class right now (in fact, I encourage you to ask them!) and what can you do to help them feel included and valued?
Thank you to Chad for his brilliant reminder of what is important in our field. I'd love to hear what you're doing to facilitate this in your classroom - drop a comment below!
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Our first #throwbackthursday feature is Electric Light Orchestra! To read how I incorporate #tbt in the rehearsal, check out the original post here.
Artist: Electric Light Orchestra
Song: Telephone Line
Year: 1976/1977
Album: A New World Record
Genre: Progressive Rock, Soft Rock, 70's Rock
Artist: Electric Light Orchestra
Song: Telephone Line
Year: 1976/1977
Album: A New World Record
Genre: Progressive Rock, Soft Rock, 70's Rock
Additional thoughts that may (or may not) draw in students:
What year did your students guess this song was from? I'd love to hear - comment below!
- I like to play snippets of songs they MAY recognize after we reveal the artist, in this case, Mr. Blue Sky, Evil Woman, or Don't Bring Me Down.
- Mr. Blue Sky was featured in the movie "Guardians of the Galaxy."
- ELO was formed in Birmingham, England.
- If you want to connect to Music Tech - they used a Moog to get the telephone sounds in the song. A note on the CD liner says, "To get the sound on the beginning, you know, the American telephone sound, we phoned from England to America to a number that we know nobody would be at, to just listen to it for a while. On the Moog, we recreated the sound exactly by tuning the oscillators to the same notes as the ringing of the phone."
- Billboard ranked Telephone Line the #15 song of 1977.
- ELO was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
- Jeff Lynne (lead singer) is still producing music, which you can find on his website.
What year did your students guess this song was from? I'd love to hear - comment below!
“Electric Light Orchestra.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Light_Orchestra.
Puterbaugh, Parke. “Elo.” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, www.rockhall.com/inductees/elo.
I recently came across an article that listed questions that could be used in a meeting to reset or redirect the group. The whole time I kept thinking how they could be adapted to redirect or reset a rehearsal. You can read the original article that inspired this post here.
Being stuck, bored, frustrated, or complacent are all valid feelings in the rehearsal process, but here are 15 questions to ask to reset a rehearsal.
Being stuck, bored, frustrated, or complacent are all valid feelings in the rehearsal process, but here are 15 questions to ask to reset a rehearsal.
- What musical aspect are we trying to adjust/achieve? Let's re-state it.
- What is the most important thing to accomplish in the next 30 minutes?
- Shall we take a quick brain break?
- What do we want the audience to feel in this spot?
- What are we trying to communicate in this section?
- What is the most important thing to have completed by the end of the rehearsal?
- Who has an idea to try for this section?
- How is everyone doing, on a scale from 1-10?
- What is the short-term solution for this problem? How can we set up for success long-term?
- What should our decision criteria be?
- What can we de-prioritize from rehearsal today?
- What things in the music can we control right now?
- How should we best go about tackling this problem as a team?
- What is keeping you from being present today?
- Can we leave the room and re-enter, leaving everything negative at the door?
I'd love to hear if these questions worked for you, or what you use to reset your rehearsal! Leave a comment below.
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Learning, LifeLabs. “Top 20 Resetting Questions.” LifeLabs Learning, 2020, ideas.lifelabslearning.com/lab/20-resetting-questions.
As we head back to school in a time of unknowns, I hope you have peace, feel encouraged, and know that you are making a difference regardless of circumstance.
YOU are capable...
YOU are wise...
YOU are creative...
YOU are inspiring...
YOU are connection...
YOU are growth...
YOU are encouragement...
YOU are progress...
YOU are ENOUGH.
You are all these things and more to your students. You believing these words is the first step to being the best music educator you can be.
As Morgan Harper Nichols says...
YOU are capable...
YOU are wise...
YOU are creative...
YOU are inspiring...
YOU are connection...
YOU are growth...
YOU are encouragement...
YOU are progress...
YOU are ENOUGH.
You are all these things and more to your students. You believing these words is the first step to being the best music educator you can be.
As Morgan Harper Nichols says...
Let July be July. Let August be August. And let yourself just be even in the uncertainty. You don't have to fix everything. You don't have to solve everything. And you can still find peace and grow in the wild of changing things.
Happy first day of school, YOU GOT THIS!
In his article "Advocating for Choral Singing and Artistic Growth During Covid-19," Michael Sheetz shares advice for music ministry directors, community chorus directors, university choir directors, and teaching artists. His suggestions inspired me to adapt them into applicable strategies for classroom teachers. The original article on Chorus Connection does go into further detail than I will below, so I encourage you to read that as well!
Here are my top 3 takeaways from Michael's strategies that are applicable in a secondary ensemble.
I hope these ideas encourage a sense of normalcy in the rehearsal process for you and your students!
- Sing in real time - but on mute. We actually did this for a choir that met over Zoom this past spring and I was surprised at how well it worked. We used this strategy with the entire ensemble (30+ high schoolers) and as sectional breakouts. It works best if you have an accompanist track that the meeting host can play from their computer, or, if it's a sectional, you can play a practice track. It is SO SO great to see everyone's singing faces as you're singing along, and I do feel like it's still possible to feel connection even though it is over a screen. If singers are relying on the music, encourage them to get their eyes up as much as possible.
- Keep your class structure the same. Start with a warm-up! Similar to #1, have your ensemble mute themselves but sing along with their cameras on. After a few structured ones, do a silly one that students may be brave enough to try in front of everyone, like a tongue twister. Then move onto a sight-reading activity. Share your screen and a starting pitch. Set a timer and have them sing through on mute. As the teacher, you can scroll through visually and see who is actually trying. Then, play or sing through, but ask them to sing with you so they can compare what they are singing vs what they are hearing. Students may perceive this as a safer environment to tackle sight-reading in than in the classroom (for example the fear of judgement from the student sitting next to them is gone). By doing warm-ups and sight-reading as an ensemble, you are holding them accountable for going through those class processes even though as the teacher you don't have the auditory feedback. They are also then ready for class structure when/if you do return to in-person rehearsing.
- Invite guests to your rehearsal. Bringing in a guest to your virtual rehearsal can keep class fresh and exciting. Whether it's bringing in someone to talk about a career in the arts, a guided songwriting class, alumni to inspire your current students to leave a legacy, or guests to lead some breakout room sectionals, your students will gain knowledge from others even though it's not in-person teaching. BONUS - these partnerships can benefit more than just your students! It can provide a much needed break for you as the teacher, and keep the connections going in a time where many artists are lacking work. Just be sure to set up expectations for your students prior (be respectful, cameras on, etc.).
I hope these ideas encourage a sense of normalcy in the rehearsal process for you and your students!
Were these strategies useful? PIN them for later!!
Sheetz, Michael. “Advocating for Choral Singing and Artistic Growth During COVID-19.” Chorus Connection Blog, 16 Aug. 2020, blog.chorusconnection.com/advocating-for-choral-singing-and-artistic-growth-during-covid-19?utm_medium=email.
Senior Sunset is the perfect way to end the year with your senior class. It's sentimental, provides closure, and is a time where your attention isn't split with the other grade levels. It has provided some of my favorite memories before students graduate, and I hope it does the same for you!
This event is paired with Senior Sunrise (check out the blog post about that here), but if you're reading this at a time where it's too late to do both, you can absolutely have one without the other. I do go into much greater detail about the specifics in that post, so if you haven't read it prior I encourage you to do so!
It's also important to note you can do this *without* all the preparing. If it's half way through the school year and you didn't have a chance to collect things for memory packets, that's okay! Plan your first event with the things you *can* do.
This event is paired with Senior Sunrise (check out the blog post about that here), but if you're reading this at a time where it's too late to do both, you can absolutely have one without the other. I do go into much greater detail about the specifics in that post, so if you haven't read it prior I encourage you to do so!
It's also important to note you can do this *without* all the preparing. If it's half way through the school year and you didn't have a chance to collect things for memory packets, that's okay! Plan your first event with the things you *can* do.
I schedule Senior Sunset on a Friday 2-3 weeks before graduation. If possible, host in the same location as Senior Sunrise. The time on the invite is based on whatever I find on google - I always search "sunset time May 12 Erie, Colorado" or something similar to get my info.
The week before, I pass out physical invites - scroll style! I want to stress again how much I talk this up. If a kid comes to class early - "are you coming Friday?!" Pass them in the hallway - "are you excited for Senior Sunset?!" See them in the office - "I'm so excited to see you Friday night! Are your friends coming too? I don't have their RSVP yet!"... You get the picture! I also over communicate that they can still come even if they didn't attend Senior Sunrise!
Collect the RSVP's so you can plan!
Here's what the invites look like:
The week before, I pass out physical invites - scroll style! I want to stress again how much I talk this up. If a kid comes to class early - "are you coming Friday?!" Pass them in the hallway - "are you excited for Senior Sunset?!" See them in the office - "I'm so excited to see you Friday night! Are your friends coming too? I don't have their RSVP yet!"... You get the picture! I also over communicate that they can still come even if they didn't attend Senior Sunrise!
Collect the RSVP's so you can plan!
Here's what the invites look like:
Here's the materials you need:
Prior to that day, I prepare memory packets for each senior. Here's where you may think I'm crazy.
I save *everything* from a students time in my choir program. Yes you heard me correctly. The final they never came to pick up? Goes in the memory packet. A concert makeup review they left in my room? Into the packet. Their audition score cards from All State Choir that they bombed? Into the packet. Lettering applications? You guessed it... into the packet.
Does this take extra effort from you? Yes. Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY.
Even in this digital era, I do one assignment that is on real paper without fail - the concert review. It asks questions like "what was your favorite song from the concert and why?" and "what was your favorite non-musical memory from this concert?" They turn these in, and they go into the packets. It's so fun for them to see all the music they loved and read through the memories when they see it again!
I have a giant file folder where I just keep things organized by choir and last name. At the beginning of each year I update based on my rosters. If a kid drops choir, I have a folder for that too. I can't tell you how many times a kid comes back as a senior and I'm so glad I saved the stuff from their freshman year! At one point my choir program reached 220 students. It's possible to do this with a large program!
- Blank paper/pens (each kid needs one their own)
- Anything you want to add magic (lanterns, sparkly lights, portable speaker with music, etc.)
- Memory packet (I'll go into detail below)
- Personal letter from Senior Sunrise
Prior to that day, I prepare memory packets for each senior. Here's where you may think I'm crazy.
I save *everything* from a students time in my choir program. Yes you heard me correctly. The final they never came to pick up? Goes in the memory packet. A concert makeup review they left in my room? Into the packet. Their audition score cards from All State Choir that they bombed? Into the packet. Lettering applications? You guessed it... into the packet.
Does this take extra effort from you? Yes. Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY.
Even in this digital era, I do one assignment that is on real paper without fail - the concert review. It asks questions like "what was your favorite song from the concert and why?" and "what was your favorite non-musical memory from this concert?" They turn these in, and they go into the packets. It's so fun for them to see all the music they loved and read through the memories when they see it again!
I have a giant file folder where I just keep things organized by choir and last name. At the beginning of each year I update based on my rosters. If a kid drops choir, I have a folder for that too. I can't tell you how many times a kid comes back as a senior and I'm so glad I saved the stuff from their freshman year! At one point my choir program reached 220 students. It's possible to do this with a large program!
Then comes the letter collecting.
I collect letters from all the underclassmen. Sometimes I find a sneaky way to get the seniors to leave the room and I announce verbally to the underclassmen what the tradition is. Sometimes that's not possible and I send an email like this:
I collect letters from all the underclassmen. Sometimes I find a sneaky way to get the seniors to leave the room and I announce verbally to the underclassmen what the tradition is. Sometimes that's not possible and I send an email like this:
Dear Choir Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors...
There is a tradition in choir where underclassmen write letters of love and encouragement to each senior. We've been doing this for the past 8 years! The letters are kept a secret until a secret time and place that you will find out when you become a senior ;) I typically announce this in each class but some classes I haven't had an opportunity to announce it without the seniors noticing! So - here's the info via email :) The goal is for each of you to write a note to all the seniors in YOUR choir. Not just your favorite seniors or the ones you know really well, but everyone. The reason for this is because they open them with each other, and it's sad when one person has 1000 and one as 10. It can be a small note (pick a quote about graduating, write a quick congratulations, etc.) or a long heartfelt letter. Buy a card or grab some scrap paper from the craft closet. Just do it! :) There will be a silver box behind my desk leading up to the deadline. Stop by and drop your notes/cards/whatever in there anytime before the deadline. Don't look at the other stuff inside. Don't do it when a senior is around. So - an overview: What: write letters to ALL the seniors in your choir. Write additional letters to seniors in other choirs as desired. When: complete by May 9th at 3PM Where: throw in the silver box behind Mrs. Bird's desk when no seniors are around. Who: YOU Why: because Erie Choir is a family. No matter how well you know someone, we all have a mutual respect and love for each other because we create art together! Lets send off our seniors with love! PS - Women's Ensemble, you don't have any seniors, but it would be awesome if you still wrote some notes - pick some from the list below! Here's the list of graduates: |
Then, I reach out to parents.
Hi Parents!
Our Choir Department has a lot of special surprises for our graduating seniors. Everything below includes surprises, so please do not let your students read this email! Senior Sunset - May 10 There is a tradition in choir where underclassmen write letters of love and encouragement to each senior. This is kept a secret until Senior Sunset where the letters, along with other memories and trinkets I have been collecting during their participation in choir are given to them in a giant envelope. If your student has been in choir all 4 years at EHS, they will be receiving things I have been saving for them since their Freshman year! Regardless of when your student joined choir, they will be showered in love and appreciation when they open their packet. This is one of my favorite parts of teaching, because the seniors are able to see the impact they have made on each of the students in choir. I have found Senior Sunset is very powerful and leaves the seniors inspired before they leave our program and head off into wherever their future plans take them :) In addition to our underclassmen, this is open to parents, family, and other friends you might know of. I realize you probably already give your student a card at graduation with a lot of heartfelt words, but I would like this one to be merely about their "music career." Maybe you want to let me them know how much you enjoyed their choir performances, or how much you have seen their self-confidence soar since that first time they stepped on the stage. Whether your student has been participating in music from the time they were in kindergarten, or they just joined their last semester of their senior year, music has had a huge impact on their lives. Please forward this email along to any family or friends that may have been impacted their participation in choir at EHS. I will be accepting these love letters until Friday, May 10th at 2:45 PM. You may email me your letter and I can print it out at school, or you can drop off anything in the front office. I hope you consider doing this, my parents were able to do this for me in college and it meant so much to me. They would always tell me how terrific each concert and performance was verbally, but in that letter they were able to express how much they have seen me grow from my experiences. The best part is I still have that letter today. You forget words that are spoken, but when they are written you can always go back to them. It would also mean a lot if you can remind them to take off work or make sure their evening is free for this event. They won't want to miss it and because it's a surprise they don't always realize how special it's going to be :) Thank you for helping me make this time even more special for our seniors involved in choir. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing you at their last few performances! Mrs. Bird |
SO - the memory packet is a combination of "stuff" from their time in choir, letters from underclassmen, letters from family, AND their personal letter that they wrote at Senior Sunrise. It's incredibly special.
If you need help assembling the packets (it can be daunting if you have a ton of stuff), reach out to alumni or parents to help you. In my case, they have always been more than willing!
Now to the actual event!
I set up candles/lanterns along the path leading to the gazebo where we meet. I set out all the packets (I use manila envelopes with their name on the front). Once they start to arrive, I have them grab their packet and find a comfy spot to sit and look out across the lake towards the mountains. I tell them to put their phones away. I tell them not to open it yet. I encourage them to reflect on their year and I play music until everyone arrives.
If you need help assembling the packets (it can be daunting if you have a ton of stuff), reach out to alumni or parents to help you. In my case, they have always been more than willing!
Now to the actual event!
I set up candles/lanterns along the path leading to the gazebo where we meet. I set out all the packets (I use manila envelopes with their name on the front). Once they start to arrive, I have them grab their packet and find a comfy spot to sit and look out across the lake towards the mountains. I tell them to put their phones away. I tell them not to open it yet. I encourage them to reflect on their year and I play music until everyone arrives.
From there, I have them face me, and I say something like this:
Welcome choir seniors! Think all the way back to August... the excitement you had surrounding a school year of unknowns, the sunrise we shared together right here... then think through the year - Fall, Winter, Spring, the ups, the downs, the senioritis.... and now reflect on where you are here now, a few weeks from graduation, about to go into the world!
From there I tell them what's in their packet - all the things I have saved since their freshman year, the notes, the letters. Just wait until you see the look on their faces when you share this! I tell them the packet is a reflection of their time in the choir program; they may have a smaller packet if they joined late or never turned anything in, and it may be huge if they participated in every ounce of the program that they could. But big or small, they have all had a positive impact on our choir program and are leaving a legacy behind.
I tell them to go spread out in the grass and to take the time to read through their packet. I tell them not to look at their phone. I tell them if they finish before I call them back, to sit and soak in the sunset. You may want to offer kleenex, tears usually flow.
When I call them back, I share my advice for them as they go out into the world. I started by sharing twelve dreams for the class of 2012, then thirteen for 2013, but at this point it's a little crazy and I just stick with thirteen dreams.
You can create your own, but here are mine - I take time to personalize and elaborate on each one.
I tell them to go spread out in the grass and to take the time to read through their packet. I tell them not to look at their phone. I tell them if they finish before I call them back, to sit and soak in the sunset. You may want to offer kleenex, tears usually flow.
When I call them back, I share my advice for them as they go out into the world. I started by sharing twelve dreams for the class of 2012, then thirteen for 2013, but at this point it's a little crazy and I just stick with thirteen dreams.
You can create your own, but here are mine - I take time to personalize and elaborate on each one.
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Then it's time for the final activity. (I promise the actual Senior Sunset doesn't take as long as it's taking to read this post!)
They write letters to the next graduating class (current juniors) for them to read at their Senior Sunrise. I tell them to reflect on their year and write anything that would be helpful for those kids to read in that moment. I tell them to write the legacy they want to leave behind. I have them share advice, words of encouragement, and what they love about their class. I tell them I won't read them, so they should be honest and include what they think they need to hear so long as it's kind.
When that's over, they drop them in the box for next year, and I say:
They write letters to the next graduating class (current juniors) for them to read at their Senior Sunrise. I tell them to reflect on their year and write anything that would be helpful for those kids to read in that moment. I tell them to write the legacy they want to leave behind. I have them share advice, words of encouragement, and what they love about their class. I tell them I won't read them, so they should be honest and include what they think they need to hear so long as it's kind.
When that's over, they drop them in the box for next year, and I say:
And so, the sun has set on your senior year.
We take our group picture and they head off into the sunset! Do you have any special traditions with your senior class? I'd love to hear about them - comment below!
Want ideas to decorate for YOUR senior sunset? Check out my picks below!