Committment?

When I was in college and someone showed up late to choir rehearsal, my director would stop rehearsal and address the late attendant in a less than flattering fashion. In other words, unless you wanted to withstand public ridicule, you were on time to choir. I am fortunate to sing with this same director these next couple of weeks for a concert with Resonance Ensemble. And I have to wonder, this lesson that I learned from him in my college days, is it a lesson my students need to learn now? Or another day?

http://resonancechoral.org/home.cfm

*shameless plug* 

I have sung in countless choir concerts some I was very proud of and some not so much. This concert is one that I will remember as a highlight in my choral singing career. The music is absolutely breathtaking and it's very satisfying if you like music with an abnormal tonal center! In other words, you should so come to this concert!

*shameless plug again*

The spring recital is at Classic Pianos on Powell Blvd on Sunday the 27th at 3pm 

*end of shameless plugs*

Anyway, I'm in the midst of very time consuming and meticulously orchestrated (accompanists/childcare/practicing/driving/meals/sleep?) rehearsals for both of these concerts. And I couldn't help but be rather upset by the number of students that cancelled their involvement days beforehand due to their parents suddenly deciding they had familial obligations. 

Now normally I'm not upset if a student can't participate in something I'm putting together for them if they let me know when I'm in the process of planning. And normally I would say your family takes priority - Lord knows my family has to trump my students sometimes. But I asked them and their families weeks ago if they were available for the recital date and I got a clean bill of no conflicts so I went ahead and booked the holiday weekend. 

I love my students. I go to great lengths to teach them every skill and tool I can to help them be as successful as they want to be with their singing. I think it's this passion that gets me so upset when their parents don't quite share my zeal for their talent. I try to be understanding of the fact that my students are teenagers and many of them are very busy and carry the burden of keeping their grades up and their social lives full. So at what point do I start to lose my patience? 

Perhaps I don't have the option of losing my patience. Part of being a good teacher is being supportive when your students (or their parents) don't deserve it. However, another part of being a teacher is preparing your students for the real world. And in the real world, my director would never hire me again if I ditched out on my concert days beforehand because my family was going on a trip or because I booked a doctors appointment for my daughter at the same time. 

Perhaps this is a lesson for my students, and their parents, to learn from another teacher another day.

For the five students that have been responsible for their commitments I am proud of their taking the opportunity to continue to improve their singing and performance skills. Even just the act of being there is the sign of a character trait that will serve them well not just in singing, but in every facet of their life. 

For any parents that read this, I hope you gain an appreciation for how much I want your kids to succeed, and perhaps in the future you might throw more support their way and bring the whole family reunion to their recital ; )