Last night was a great night for my wife and her 4th and 5th grade choir from Schulte Elementary School. They participated in a school district choral festival which featured singers from Case High School, a couple of middle schools, and several elementary schools as well – with everyone joining together as a mass choir for two final pieces, including a composition commissioned especially for this occasion. Kathy’s kids really sang well and it’s always fun to see the easy rapport she has with them. She makes it fun for them and yet they know better than to mess with her. And she knows how to keep them loose and yet focused.
They sang two pieces, including a wonderful song about kids lighting candles all over the world. The picture above is actually from when they sang the song in December at Schulte, complete with handheld lights that really added a festive touch to the proceedings. Last night, even without the special effects, they did great. There is something so invigorating about young kids singing- it just gives you a little extra dash of hope that this world of ours just might survive.
By the way, the concert was in an auditorium at Case that was WAY too small- every seat was filled long before the concert started and there were a lot of sad parents who had to hang out in the hallway. On the other hand, there is something to be said for the excitement which that crowdedness helped to create.
My wife deserves credit not only for leading her singers in a fine performance- but also for pleading with the other participating teachers to keep each school’s individual part of the concert short so they wouldn’t be there all night. And because it was so tremendously crowded, it was really good that it wasn’t a marathon. Leave ‘em wanting more, I always say!