a very exciting third trimester!

​The last day of classes on February 23rd, meant that second trimester report card marks and comments were already in the works. It is certainly a busy time for all tutors yet I always come away feeling so blessed to be a part of the musical journey of each singer in the Little Lamb Choir. Reflecting on the work of the trimester, I truly see just how far they have come individually and collectively. I am so proud of each of them for the hurdles they have jumped, their persistence to work on skills and concepts and I believe all may delight in knowing that those things that were once difficult always become easier with consistent work and the willingness to make mistakes.  

Returning after the break is always exciting.  With the busyness of the program, we are quick to jump off the diving board, wait in anticipation for READY, SET, GO and/or whatever sports' analogy is dearest to your heart. Making music is really a team sport where everyone needs to bring their best at any given moment to the joint endeavours and goals. For example, March 8th at St. Anthony's was an extremely big day. Mass preparations needed to be condensed and so we focussed on tapping into our musical ears and brains and what skills and concepts were already under our belts. The rehearsal went smoothly and the Little Lambs had the opportunity to have an hour class in the intimate room usually assigned to us and much was accomplished. At Mass, I must again applaud them for their attentiveness, their ability to be active participants in the mass not only with the parts of the liturgy that have been assigned to us but also with responses and other congregational singing. To have the opportunity to sing our Tenebrae Hymn as a test run is always helpful and they rose to the challenge. 

Looking ahead, “What Wondrous Love” our Tenebrae hymn will have come and gone at the time that this newsletter comes out but you may be assured that other hymn work falls so nicely within our curriculum. What we are preparing for the Year End Concert provides excellent opportunities to advance their reading skills and make more sense of the music that we are holding in our hands.  Our offerings there - prove to be a potpourri. The “Ave Maria” has been in the curriculum of the Little Lambs for most of the years since I have been at the schola. It truly is one of my favourite chants and it is an excellent first exposure to Latin. If your Little Lamb is not yet singing along to either of the versions that are recommended on that handout, please encourage them to do so.  Of course, those with older siblings will know this well and what an opportunity to sing together. Choreography still is part of the movement component in the program. While some singers may already be sharing some of their moves at home, I suspect that others may be practising on the sly to save a few surprises. The choreography really helps them be bigger than life as storytellers. I am delighted that some of this is already starting to happen.  

We of course will have another showcase in May to practice the Year End Show repertoire but to showcase other skills and concepts as well. Some of the individual 
Sol-fa challenges will have already taken place prior to the showcase and you may wish to steer your child in the direction of letting them be your teacher. These handouts are already in their binders. 

So most of the above provide some hints and reminders of what is yet to come. Of course, there are always some surprises. 

Here’s to a very exciting third trimester. 

Miss Katheryne