Jana wrote:
:It was the darndest thing I'd ever seen at a high school contest. I
somehow
think this man won't be back in that district ever again..."
After my first year of teaching (this year) and sending my students to solo
and ensemble at the district level - I wondered - why don't they take a day
or so to sit the judges in a room and give them a workshop? Tell them that
they are not judging college students. There are always big discrepancies
in judging - and I just think that running some role-playing sessions and
comparing notes before a contest like this would be very helpful. Some of
the judges are very good and some judges just don't handle themselves well
by not knowing the rules or by being so severe that some students may never
sing again after singing for them. There are also some judges that are just
too hard on high school students (in my opinion).
This is a suggestion that I will be sending to my state's committee. I will
also be suggesting that we get rid of class A, B, C and just let the
students sing. If they do well enough to get a starred first, then they
should be able to go on to state. It goes back to the conversation thread
earlier about simple music. Every piece of music has a story to tell, and
if the performer tells it well, he should be rewarded.
It's funny, my first year as a teacher at solo and ensemble was by far more
traumatic that any year I sang as a student. I am hoping the state solo and
ensemble judging is more equitable.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Lisa M. Stachowicz
Dramatic Soprano and Voice Teacher
Appleton, WI
http://home.att.net/~earthbounddiva
You are the music while the music lasts.
~ T. S. Eliot ~
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