MHS Concert Choir list

Above is my SUPER INCREDIBLE WONDERFUL freshmen choir.. Meridian's Freshmen Singers- I should tell of the great things they do... but the intention of this post is to list the kids that Mrs. Mc has put on the 2010-2011 Concert choir list.  This list is NOT FINAL- In the end, you sign up for a choir class when you register in July.  Mrs. Mc just has to approve of your name by you going through an "audition" - which really is not hard at all.  So, if you name is NOT on the list- don't worry- you can still audition and get your friends to audition as well.

Ladies and Gentlemen... the 2010-2011 MHS Concert choir!


Kyshari Dubose

Delmonte Barrett (you will need to do an audition- in the fall will be fine :) )

Tanner Goldman (you will need to do an audition- in the fall will be fine :) )

Diana Hopson

Angela Fowler

Raejean Spears

Ariel Grady

Monica Monroe

Tabetha Pike

Miracle Jemison

Tanisha Burrage

Aleah Coleman

Janise Knighton

Keandria Gray

Amber Hawk

Keyana Hudson

Elvia Devora

Antonia Owens

Quenda Williams

Tocarra Hubbard

Alexis Wilson

Felicia Jones

Macresha Preston

Jalia McGriggs

Dikierria Stewart

Alexis Kelly

Emma Reeves

Ruby Grady

Jalisa Blair

Samantha Pike

Atalya Sears

Antoinette Lloyd

Hannah Starnes

Denzel Turner

Christian Ryle

Jaqurius Warren

Tashun Parker

Artis Ricks

Anthony Boudreaux

Kamayi Cole

Alex Ricks

Renardo Foy

Amber Walk

Christina Gaddis

Kaila Smith

Mandy McCool

Tia Washington

Shandrianna Rogers

Cornesha Lewis

Madison Embrey

Cameron Marsh

Jonathan Leslie

Braxton Boyd

Aaron Donald

Shakari McDuffie

Billy Walker

Khalila Gray

McKenzie Griffin

Nae'toria Williams

Tashiya Ward

Michelle O'Hehir

Brittany Johnson

Bobby McCarter

Kierra Barrett

Tiffany Smith

Essence Jones

 

Spread the word...Congrats!  Looks like we will have a great year!  Enjoy your summer!

Mrs. Davis

My Take on Charlie Brown

Some of you may already know this, but I am doing Your'e a Good Man Charlie Brown (Revised) at my high school.  Today we performed for over 400 elementary kids (SO MUCH FUN!) and we will do it tomorrow as well.  Then we will have three community performances.  The cast has done well and I am really proud of them.  But, typical of most "ARTISTS", life imitates art and art imitates life....

I have said it before but my 4yo daughter is completely LUCY!  Every rehearsal reminds me of it.  My Queen had a moment this week!  Poor hubby has had to deal with 7yo son and her all week when I kept coming home late from musical practices.  Turns out that while he was helping our son make a rocket for school, she was CUTTING HER HAIR!!!!  Ugh!  After the usual reprimands, she looks in the mirror and says "I look like Dora!"   AAAHHHHH!!!!

There are lots of scenes that remind me of life from this musical- I am constantly CHASING RABBITS in my long list of things to do; my attempt at making ART, ART, ART without large pay :); and honestly, trying to "not make a scene" like Charlie Brown!

But nevertheless I love the work.  And I love the challenge.  And I love the patient family....

I LOVE MY JOB!

 

Tonight was a super affirmation of what I do.  If you aren't familiar with my work, I teach 9th Girls choir, 9th Men's choir, Piano Lab, AP Theory, and assist MHS Concert Choir.  I really do enjoy my work, but sometimes I forget WHY.... 

I went to the MS Junior college/community college festival which happened to be held in my town.  I went with a friend who shares my love for good choral music and one of my current seniors who is looking for a good school.  I got to hear 5 choirs and they sounded well.  But the greatest part? 13 WERE MY FORMER STUDENTS!!!!   If you have ANY connection with music, you know the incredible bond you create when you make music together.  I was SO THRILLED to see them continue singing at the college level.  Even if they never major in music, I know they learned a lifelong gift.  Now I admit, I want MORE STUDENTS to sing at the college level :)- but what a SUPER moment today was!

Each student has a unique story and incredible memories.  We went on several trips- District and State festivals, Atlanta, recruiting, everywhere!  These students were in football, basketball, soccer, weightlifting, band, honor society, and church events.  One student I had since he was in EIGHTH grade!! 

Each face looked alive when they sang.  Each voice supported and strengthened their ensembles.   Each set of eyes were bright and focused on their director.  I TEARED UP!!

Singers- you make me proud!  Never stop singing-- for it is the ONE gift that is a glimpse of heaven!

Now really, how many math teachers get teared up when their kids get an A in College Algebra?!?!?  Music is so MUCH more fun (not to mention how complex sight-reading is... but I digress!)!!!

SNOW!

It has snowed here in MS for several hours now- NON-STOP!  We are loving it!  But I am learning some things about continual snow- and a glimpse of what our life would be like if I lived further north :)!

* Satellite can stop if there is too much snow on it
* Tree limbs can fall with too much snow
* It really is possible to make hard snowballs
* Snowmen look funny with pine straw (ha!)
* It IS possible to make a snow angel (but it makes you cold- according to Connor)
* You need a place to hang wet coats, gloves, hats, etc. after play time in the snow
* Fed Ex and Mail really DO come in Snow!

It is fun for now... But I am not sure how I would like living like this for weeks at a time...

Why I love my husband.... and E-mealz!

At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I have found a new love!  We have decided to go with E-Mealz for the last several weeks.  If you are not familiar with it, it is a SUPER program.  Once a week I get a recipe plan and shopping plan.  It helps us to prepare 7 meals for the week.  For 15.00 a quarter, I get new meals, organization in the kitchen, and family time around the dinner table.

But this is why I love my husband.  I have had some late nights with after-school practices for honor choir auditions.  Since hubby knew what was in the plans for dinner, I have come home to him beginning or even making (YIPPEE!) dinner for the family.  HOW WONDERFUL!!

Eating dinner at home more often has been super- the kids have learned better table manners, we have conversations  (even more than in restaurants) , and we have been wiser with our money.   It is so motivating to have a plan and see the plan work.  Thanks E-Mealz!

Haley ROCKS!!!

Who is Haley, you ask?  A really cool kid in our church youth group.  Like most other church groups tonight we had a "Saw You at the Pole" Rally for our Association.  When we got there we found out that we had to provide a kid from our group to lead in prayer.  Oh no- we didn't know that.  So Kim, one of our leaders, turned around to our crew and said "Anyone willing to lead in prayer?"  And do you know that NO ONE was willing to lead..... not our older youth, not our youth who have been discipled, not even our youth who help teach.  Of course I should sat that the sanctuary was FULL of teenagers- at least 600.  So Haley said "I will".  This is really cool cause Haley is in the SEVENTH GRADE!!!  She did an AMAZING job!!!  I was so proud.  And several of our youth complimented her. 

You know, Haley was also willing to go to GA Camp alone.  Sometimes we have to make important diecisions alone.  I think that since she has learned this already, she is really ready for major life decisions. 

Major shout out, Haley- YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

"Lessons" with Connor

So I have begun "teaching" Connor some piano lessons.  I chose to teach him myself because of a few reasons.  One, I can teach him whenever it is convenient for me; two, I wasn't sure any of the local teachers were ready for a TYPICAL 1st grade boy; third, most teachers think 1st grade is too early to start.  So we are moving slowly, but methodically.

They are mostly going well.  But since we teach them into the night (7ish) I know he is tired and so am I :).  So, I should preface this by saying the circumstances were not the most conducive to a good piano lesson.  Nevertheless, I was a bit surprised at what happened tonight.  I try to give him three songs to "practice" two times each day and then play them for pass-off on Mondays.  He was struggling with a song and he started crying.  I continued to help him keep going and continue trying.  He was overwhelmed when he was making mistakes.  This is where I was surprised.  See, I am more of a coach than a teacher, so I tend to REALLY push my students HARD to do the best they can (remember, Mom IS Japanese, so it is in me!).  I got really annoyed at Connor and wanted to push him hard.  But I tried to hold back a bit but keep on encouraging him.  Instead of stopping, I just asked him to play it again and agin until he got it. 

Of course in two tries he got it.  It really wasn't that big a deal , but to him it was SO HARD.  Hmmm... normally people say that sports teach the concept of "never giving up".  I haven't thought of music teaching that same technique.  So, now I will call our lessons- "life lessons" :)- and I didn't even think I would be so frustrated with him... a lesson for me as well.

He did well- we brought Dad and Anna in to hear it and he did it perfectly.  He was proud of himself for not giving up.  It was tempting so let him stop, but making him stick with it helped him to learn that he could do it.  I guess I will be the mother that is demanding and pushy.  But I will try to do it with a smile :)!

can't sleep.....

So, cruise was wonderful (WOW!!!), school has started well for Connor, Anna, and I, and life is back in our routine.  But right now, I can't sleep.  Nothing is wrong.  Danny is on another trip to the DR, and that has gone well.  Four people have met Dad.  I think I am just more high strung, quite frankly, because I am the "single parent" this week.  I have to be sure and get the kids up and ready, get all of the MANY details together for school and work, and answer calls from friends and family (of course, they are calling to check on me).  Nevertheless, it is as if I can't really relax. 

So, last night it led me to my typical random thoughts.  Dad grants sleep to those He loves... and most of the time I rest well- but it was a case of letting circumstances take over my rest.  Hmm... wonder if those who can't sleep also struggle with letting go of things they can't control?  It is a bit over-simplifying of things, I realize. 

Letting go is so important.  Many who try to control things actually make it worse.  Most know it, but I am reminded of the old thought....

Dad, Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference.

Some days I get it better than others.....

WE DID IT!!!

Today was graduation day and I am so thrilled WE survived! I have mentioned it before, but Danny has to stay with the kids 5 weeks this summer and last summer while I was gone working on this degree. So, not only did I get a PHT (putting hubby through) while he was in Seminary, he now has a PWT. What a super guy!

This program is unique. It caters to working teachers so our class is full of REALLY non-traditional masters students. Most of us are working and have worked for quite a while. It made the program really unique. These are the friends I will see again at contests and conventions. There is a great bond among us and it was certainly a group effort (can we say late night studies and silly conversations with room/suitemates!?!?).

By the way, want to know how super Danny is? We have been married for 11 years and have not celebrated any anniversary since the 2nd. So we are going on a Masters/anniversary cruise WITHOUT kids!! Have I mentioned our parents are great for keeping the kids?!?!

Life is grand........

Awkward.....

This is really funny. We had a big "wedding planning meeting" today and tomorrow we are taking the church youth group to Mississippi Baptist Youth Night. Since we needed a sitter for both, Danny's parents offerend to take Connor and Anna for a couple of days. We have been "kid-free" since Wed lunch and right now we act lost. I actually was able to clean the house and it is STILL clean. I even finished a conversation on the phone without any interruption. And my laundry is done. And I got to do Farmtown without other hands wanting to "help". I didn't know thouse things could happen.

Don't get me wrong- I love my time with Danny, but I didn't realize how slow life is without young children around...... So now we are not sure what to do -- well, mostly :)