Last Spring Concert

Yesterday, we attended our last Spring Concert at St. Joseph. Last because my son is graduating in 2 weeks, and this was the last of it. (Yippy!!!).

For the last 9 years, we have rolled inside the church each Spring to listen to kids from all grades sing to the best of their abilities. And after all these 9 years, nothing has really changed in how the kids sang or the types of songs performed. Why would they change if the person responsible for teaching the songs was the same music teacher all these years?? Same style. Same methodology. Same results.

Mind you, it wasn't the kids' fault. Kids will learn whatever they're taught. Now, I would expect that the older students would sing louder and with more gusto. However, it wasn't so. Some of the older students barely sang and could hardly be heard. The younger ones were livelier and perky. What's up with that?

I don't know if it had something to do with the song selection or the class was just plain dull, boring, and couldn't care less. I must admit, some of the song choices were really bad. And for the 8th grade class, for their last year, they didn't even sing as a class. They combined with the 7th graders for a number, but they didn't sing (maybe a little). Instead, they played some instrument that you could hardly hear. Now, there's something wrong with that picture.

An unusual side activity was a slide show for 2 retiring faculty -- the principal and the special needs coordinator. Both have a combined teaching experience of 71 years. Great !!! But after the slide show was presented, that was it. No speech. No introduction to the slide show. No post show monologue. Nothing. The incoming principal put the slide show together. I was expecting that she would have said something about it -- before or after -- just to emphasize the recognition the school wanted to make for these 2 ladies. Unfortunately, nada. Missed opportunity.

Overall, it was one of those so-so school events that you'd like to forget. In all seriousness, I've seen better performances in past years. And as parents who have seen this event numerous times, I'm glad it's OVER.

If the school is serious at providing the best performance and maximizing the potential of its students, there are other resources available that can make that happen. All they need is just to open their eyes, stop being too political, and embrace change. Otherwise, everyone's going to get stuck in the stone age.