My first rehearsal went very well. Of course there was a lot more talking that I would have liked- going over the syllabus, explaining my goals and some things I want to happen this year, getting to know the ladies. I voiced each lady and placed them in a tentative section. I will spend more time with that today. I have a list of "to do" things, every thing from asking Jon (my teacher) clarifying questions to e-mailing some of the women to starting a thread in our Facebook group about some activities that Women's Choir can do this year.
After some confusion with the Men's Choir, we started warm-ups. The men stayed for the first 15 minutes singing with us before I asked them to go to their choir room and see if their director was there. The ladies finished warm-ups and then we went over the syllabus (huge gaff: I left the syllabus sitting next to the door at home). I went over my goals with them: Make good music they can be proud of, challenge them and myself to grow musically and as a person, to support and encourage them to be vulnerable to the music, and to foster a supportive environment between everyone. Then I listened to eat one of them sing. I have some really strong singers and everyone truly has something to give (and hopefully to receive) from this choir.
Voicing them took a lot longer than I thought and we were left with about half an hour left when all was said and done. They came in, I placed them in sections and we sang. The only song we got to was "Will There Really Be a Morning?" But they did well, were able to sing some harmony, and ended our time together in beautiful unison.
Next rehearsal, I really look forward to shutting up a little and having them sing. They have so much potential and I realized that if they do not do great things this year, it is completely my fault since they have the ability. Although that makes me feel a little anxiety, it really excites me and motivates me to work hard so I can be the best director possible.
Today is my first official class. Actually, two classes if you count choir. University Choir meets today for two hours. Then I have 4 hour gap before my second class- Research Methods.
Tonight will make for a late night. Mondays and Tuesdays I finish at 9:45 on campus. Last night I got home at 10:35.
The first picture is another photo of the music area but from a different angle. The second photo is the path I walk to get back to the bus stop when I'm going home. Last night I was happy to see that it was fairly well lit. There is a campus bus but I am not sure which bus to jump on to get me to the public transit stop. I will figure that out soon.
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