I’m proud of my students. It was a strange concert….some really great music was made, but I sensed that everyone was tired (including Yours Truly). I feel like I pushed them/thrashed them about/made them weary this year. In my drive for whatever you call it, I think I sometimes forget that they are 15-18 years old, and with other lives.

This requires reflection. But seeing as how I’m too tired for that, I will just tell you that my students made me proud again last night. I know not why, but blessed I am.

Yoda

Last night, my middle school choirs gave their spring concert. Just when you think that 11-14-year-olds possess little more than the keen and often-practiced ability to suck the very marrow from your bones, they get up on stage and make art.

I often hear the question from audience members, “How do you get that sound out of those kids?” Well I must admit that I wish it were all about my sparkling mad skills, but alas, without these willing and talented singers, I got nothin’. I’ll go as far as to say that it’s a unique partnership of their great attitudes and innate talent, and my burning wish to live vicariously through them. Many of them think I don’t care much for them and that I’m pretty much a shrew/hag…guess I need to hone my interpersonal skills. But the joy I get from hearing them do something well is pretty much worth the half-hour drive and the low salary.

I’m looking forward to the high school concert on Monday, so I can envy their experience at singing great jazz and fine old spiritual and Broadway arrangements. Ok, I’m looking forward to it being over, too, so I can focus my full and enthusiastic attention on my Aesthetics and Criticism class. Joy and bliss.

Somebody shoot me.

Fink out.

It sure was. Last night, my vocal jazz ensemble sang the national anthem at the Cleveland Cavaliers game. To say it was fun would be an understatement.

The night began with a lot of waiting around. We went downstairs to the “event level,” where only staff and the Very Wealthy (the ones who paid $700 for floor seats and $1000 for courtside) were allowed. We watched while the VW ate and drank from a free buffet and open bar.

But then it was time to go on. I wonder if the students thought it went as lightning-fast as I did. It was a great experience, and they sang well – their sound (with the help of some boss mics) filled up the whole arena, and was easily heard – and hopefully enjoyed – by all 20,000 in attendance.

Below are some fotos of the gig – click on them to get the full monty. And when I get the DVD, I’ll post some video here.

Oh yeah – and the Cavs won. How about THAT?