Honors Chorus

Little One was invited in February to participate in the County-wide Honors Chorus program. All the music teachers in the county selected small groups from each school, representing 10% of the school's population. The program involved only fifth-graders; Little One's school had 8 students. I believe our music teacher expected more dropouts than we actually had; so in the end we had more than our 10%.
Beginning in March, the kids stayed after school two afternoons a week to learn the songs and practice. There were 8 songs representing several cultures around the world. There were 2 American songs: "Turkey in the Straw," and "Glory Bound."
On Friday of this week all the kids boarded buses at their respective schools and traveled to a high school out on the edge of the county to practice for the first time on the stage as a large group. There were 200 students. The county, thanks to a generous grant, had hired a fantastic children's music director to come in for the weekend. She had written or arranged many of the songs they performed. She was there on Friday to teach them movement for the songs and direct them vocally. The kids practiced on Friday from 12 to 5. How exciting -- to ride the bus 15 miles and practice at the high school!

Yesterday they practiced all day -- from 9am to 3pm. They were provided lunch and snacks. The performance was at 4pm, with the doors opening at 3:15. I had noticed on Friday that the auditorium did not seem big enough to hold families for 200 kids, so I got in line for the door at 3pm and saved a seat for DH. Good thing! We were on the 3rd row, right by the aisle and diagonally across from Little One's position on the stage, so she could see us. Many, many families wound up standing up in the back.
I was familiar with the songs due to her having practiced singing, and she had played them on the piano. (They were loaned the sheet music from February through yesterday.) Each child had also been given a CD to practice with, I guess in case they forgot the tunes and could not read music.
The program was awesome. It's quite a weird feeling to clap, yell "Woo Hoo," and cry, all at the same time. She clearly enjoyed it, with smiles and laughter and intense concentration throughout the program. ALL the children seemed to have a blast, and I hope the county will continue this worthwhile program in the future.
We are thankful she was included. I believe she'll always remember the experience.


Little One and one of her best friends, after the performance.