I now have risers in my classroom! The school carpenters just finished building them and I am thrilled. Now my class of 44 middle school kids can actually see me when we sing.

Two weeks ago, I volunteered to help with high school band camp. This weekend, I stuck around for middle school band camp - a shorter, sweeter version of the first. Instead of two nights, it was one; instead of two songs, they learned one. We had 33 kids in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. My... Continue Reading →

In the first week of school, I had the students in both of my choruses introduce themselves to me via questionnaire. I thought I’d share with you some of the responses from the middle school choir that made me smile. This is a group of 44 kids - 37 girls and 7 boys from sixth,... Continue Reading →

(the inner monologue) The first day ... “Only two classes today - not so bad. I think this will be painless. First up, fourth grade. They should be here at 9:30. I think I’ll practice a bit.” [plays some piano] “Hmm ... it’s 9:40 ... I wonder where they are. No one in the halls.... Continue Reading →

It's the night before the first day of school. Eve of the inevitable - summer does end and school will begin again. For those already on campus, it's a strange day. Teachers run to and fro, excited and nervous, hurrying to get everything ready. "Will I be ready? Will the lesson go as planned? Will... Continue Reading →