Youth Choir
Last week the youth choir was missing three students, so there were only six instead of nine. A number of the kids said they enjoyed having less kids there. I think it may also have been nice for the quieter kids as the two loudest, most confident singers weren't there.

This week we were also missing a couple of kids, but not the same ones as last week, which is good. Otherwise they would be lost in the music. We continued this week learning our song "Monkeys". It is super cute and I can't wait until they can sing it well, I think they will do a good job. Kids are such fast learners which is the nicest thing with them.

The youngest girl in the class, lets call her E6, was slightly annoying this week. She requires a lot of attention and slows us down a bit. I did my best not to portray my annoyance, and I think I did an okay job. When she is on track she picks things up fairly quickly, it's just the whingeing that gets to me. I had them do a sheet of theory, as most of them (except for Shy13) don't know what notes are, or what they mean. E6 kept asking when we were playing the games, which aren't till the end. That was a bit tiresome too. Although, it does make me happy that they like playing the games we do, I'm always worried they will think they are lame.

The game that they love is a listening game. They stand at the back wall and I play three notes, a high note, a low note and a middle note. High means a step forward, low step back, middle step to the side. The closer the notes are together the harder it is. I thought this game was too simple for them (as my little kids like it) but they LOVE it. This is the game they always want to play.

This week I had them do a new game too; half class on each side of the room, imaginary line down the middle. One person from the first team sings a note, runs across to the other side and touches as many people as possible the whole time singing their note. They have to make it back across the midline still singing or the people they tag are safe. Then the other side sends someone etc. etc. This is an AWESOME game for breath and voice control. They seemed to like it as well so we will definitely revisit it.

After class the strongest singer, lets say Strong13, came to me and asked about private lessons. I am not surprised. I spoke withe her about Kiwanis and stuff, she was VERY interested. So, next week I will bring her my card. I think I will have my first real (not child) voice student in her. That is very cool and a bit scary. It means I have to get even more shit together... my conservatory stuff and Kiwanis info.

Adult Choir
The adult choir was okay last week, but I was bit highstrung and talked too quickly. It is hard to get used to having adults give me such respectful silence for an hour. I am fast talker normally so my whole life for debating and speeches (which I used to do) it was something I had to think about. Clearly, that is still the case.

This week I made an effort to really follow my outline, keeping the times as I had them set out. This is also something I have to work on as I often get carried away and don't look at the time. I have brought my computer the last two classes just so that I can use the timer widget to ding me when my time is complete. This week I think I really improved.

I was much calmer, which is very important, as the women are nervous about singing. One of the hardest things with adults is to get them to "let go" and release their big voices. They are shy about opening their mouths and certainly about letting loose. This week I had to decide who was singing what voice (alto or soprano). So far we are only going to sing in two voices. If I want a third voice it means someone is singing a solo, as there are only four ladies... soooo.. I'm not sure if that will happen. I may just sing the third line myself so that we can hear the full harmony.

I also do sight reading training with the ladies. We have been working on rhythm and pitch building exercises which seems to be going okay. I feel like I don't get a lot of feedback, but I have to keep reminding myself that it isn't really their place. They take it as read that I know what I am doing, which, I guess I do. As I said, I just really have to get used to the quiet respectful eyes looking at me and doing my bidding. It is my first time doing these exercises with adults so I guess I often feel like they might feel silly (I have STRONG empathic abilities which I HAVE to learn to turn off for class) clapping and whatnot. But, really it doesn't matter, because it is very important for them and us as a group to be able to do these things together.

At the end of class they all seem happy and so I suppose it must be okay. We did get to learning some harmonies this week which is VERY tedious, SLOOOOOOOOW learning with beginner (and some older) ladies, but we got through it. I even got them to sing our simple lullaby in two parts (although the only person I could hear singing the harmony was me... but it's a start!)

I was supposed to have had a cd ready for the ladies this week, with recordings of all the songs  (there are only three) and the different parts. But, with all the other things happening (ie. I wanted to do the thingy for MFC for Yicky...yes, I am bad) it didn't get done. So, still on my plate for next week. sigh It will be very helpful for them though as all but one of them don't have a piano or keyboard. So, until they get the cd they won't be able to practice at home which I REALLLLLLLY want them to do.

MUSIC
So, music is all around me! Which pleases me greatly. The MFC has brought a number of projects to me, which is soooo cool. I have collaborated with Yicky and some others for his project (well, he's heading it at any rate). Also, another Husiite asked me to collaborate on a song for MFC, so with clocks' awesome guitar, hopefully I will be working on that project this weekend.

And, now that I know that clock is willing to do my musical bidding with his talented fingers (are you thinking dirty thoughts..?..) I'm ALL over it. Can't wait to get some stuff together for him to do with me. Everything is falling into place...

LIFE
Baby Yammers is so super duper cute, I can barely believe it. I want to eat him. He doesn't laugh very often instead he screams with delight. He LOVES to scream. Of course, this means that Popsicle screams to get him to scream louder cause it makes him hysterical... it is a screamy place around her lately. CBB came home the other day and could hear them from the driveway!

P.S
I have opened a myspace account. I did it to write to some old friends, but I couldn't help but upload some pics cause it was sooo easy. I have had a number of people talk about how stupid and annoying myspace is, but I have to say, for bands (or if you're single) myspace is a great way to get your sound out there. Besides that, it is just a free meatmarket. I'm not sure why that annoys people though, I mean, if I was single I'm sure it would be a cool place to meet people. Anyway.. myspace - stupid? good? What do you guys think?

Have a great week everyone!