we have already accomplished much

While we are mostly settled into routines, some of our younger choir participants are delightfully egocentric and thus still learning what it means to be part of the larger choral experience. Some of the behaviours that are occasionally evident are singing in a different key so that one may hear themselves, being overly concerned about the behaviours of others not yet realising that one can only control their own behaviour, and struggling in some of our partner choosing games. None of this is atypical and I suspect that by the end of October this will all get worked out. Given my many years of teaching young musicians, I can say this with the greatest confidence.

Given the above, I am also able to praise much of their collective work. Our second first Friday Mass had most of them, singing not only what we had prepared in advance but also joining in other congregational responses. With another 7 masses left in the year, I know that their confidence and their abilities to participate will allow them to find even greater meaning as they more fully celebrate our masses. This higher concentration work is always balanced with teaching that is child centred, change of pace and lighter concentration activities. We are having fun extending our vocal ranges and already we have so many angelic voices with most feeling confident to sing on their own. Volunteering and participation overall, is greater than I usually expect at this time of the year and they are becoming good little Italians and terms like forte and pianissimo roll off their tongues. They are working hard to make sense of so and mi and ta, ti-ti and one beat of silence. Some still occasionally mix up rhythm and beat but this is coming. Rhythmic ostinati and round singing are challenges that they are throughly enjoying and getting much better at. I was delighted to learn that quite a number of students shared our Thanksgiving Song as a blessing for their Thanksgiving meal and many others are singing songs from their binder regularly at home or to and from the schola. I know that they love our games and these are featured in every class and are great teaching tools.

Now may be the time to review the letter given out at the beginning of the year about how you may be a more active participant in your child’s musical journey. As you may be discovering - all the music that we sing is memorized and while their brains are programmed to do this relatively effortlessly, longer songs require some 'at home’ time. This pertains to the hymns that we do at our masses which appear at or near the front of their binders. (Your child will know what verses we are working on). Both "We’ll Dress This House" and the "Lion and the Lamb” will require some home practice. Yes, we already are singing some Christmas music. Both of these selections will be shared at the Bow Valley Seniors’ Luncheon which is on your calendars for November 25th. It is always exciting how quickly the Little Lambs get bitten by the performance bug.

So you can see that we have already accomplished much. I love being a part of their early musical journeys and my time with them is a highlight of my week.

Miss Katheryne