Fun Semester

Can I let you in on a little secret??

I've had a great time at school this year... especially this semester.

Usually this time of year is full of anticipation... I'm usually just counting down the days until freedom. While I'm still excited about summer, I can't help but look back on this past semester and wonder how I got so darn lucky...

January was full of auditions... auditions for Region Band and All-State. My kids accomplished more than they ever have. We still have a long way to go in order to achieve as much as some schools, but this year was certainly impressive. Fourteen in Region and 2 in All-State.

February was full of Honor Band rehearsals and my own Region Band Clinic. I loved the HB rehearsals. In years past I've never had that special group of kids play together for an event. It was neat to hear what the best of my students sounded like when they were put in one room together.... plus, we enjoyed snack time! Having the opportunity to be a guest clinician at Region Band will probably always be a highlight of my career... I was so scared!! However, the students I worked with were awesome and they just let me be me and do what I do. We had a great time together.

March was when I got past the excellent rating hump. We were one of 10 groups to earn a superior at our concert festival event. The kids were excited and I was ecstatic.

April was fun, too. I took the 8th grade band to Atlanta (where they were one of only 2 groups to earn a superior rating) and my students were incredible at Solo & Ensemble. We came back with 21 superior ratings, 5 excellent ratings, and 1 theory award. Our results at S&E combined with CF, Region and All-State earned our group the Outstanding Performance Award. Only 40 middle school bands in the state won the award this year... pretty cool.

May has been neat as well. The 7th grade band earned straight superiors at Carowinds Music Festival AND the end of the year countdown has begun. My 8th graders are enjoying learning the basics of jazz, conducting and music composition before I turn them loose for the summer. My 7th graders are working to prepare some awesome awards day music for the 8th graders.

Yep, my job is cool. Lots of work... but TONS of payoff. :)