On Monday, I was lucky enough to have this cute thing accompany me to all my classes. I love showing off my cute sisters!
She was so helpful. She graded tests, evaluated choirs, and helped test out some broken keyboards. She was also petitioned for a date by more than one boy in my madrigals.
That night was our closing performance of "The Wiz." Krista, Kate & Darren, and my parents were all able to make it for the final show.
Anna chose my outfit for the big night. She is much more stylish than I am!
The kids were on FIRE. I have never seen them perform like that. I was beaming the whole show! Thanks so much to all my friends and family who were able to make it to the Wiz during its run. It was an absolutely incredible experience for me as an educator. I learned so much (and learned how much I have left to learn!).
Above are Angela and Steve, the orchestra conductor and professional pianist, respectively. I was the vocal director.
Below are Phaidra and Kim. Kim was our choreographer. I just adore her! Phaidra was the WOMAN. She coordinated a cast of 140 including kids from grades 5th to 12th. Words can't express what this director did for the show. She put hours (and hours...and hours...and hours...) into this production.
Added to the group below is Scott, our technical director. They built a rotating set with an elevator in it. Incredible.
More than I've ever wanted anything before, I want to post pics of the kids in their costumes. Amazing! Our seamstress and those who assisted her were OUT of this WORLD.
Every night before a show, we gather in the choir room to do vocal exercises and a focus exercise. For closing night, I wrote a special warm-up for the kids to the tune of the finale number in the show. Here are the lyrics:
Home
The HHS Cast Version
When I think of home
I think of a cast where there's love overflowing
I wish this wouldn’t end,
I wish it weren’t so hard to keep my tears from showing
Wearing purple wigs, converse shoes, costumes sparkling!
Suddenly green shades don’t seem so annoying!
Watching people smile makes it all worthwhile!
Even though I know we cannot come back here
Now that our show is closing,
It will sure be nice to hold these memories close
As we continue growing!
And even though we know we can’t convince time to slow up
Remembering this play, we don’t really have to grow up
It’s on DVD…Just turn on the TV!
Where else can we find an orchestra like ours
Or a pianist like Steve?
Or a set that turns around, and moves up and down
And parents who bring us treats?
And now to Mrs. A.
Please hear us when we say
You helped us believe in what we couldn’t see
You gave us brains to learn our parts,
a heart to feel the words
And courage to help ourselves be free
Being here with this awesome cast
Might be a fantasy
But they’ve taught me to love
So they’re real to me
And I've learned
That we must look inside our hearts
To find a world full of love
Like yours
Like mine
Like home!