The school is large. I did not grow up in a district that had so many different students, rooms, parking lots. Simply put, it was a maze. And it was a maze I had to figure out on my own because for some reason I was unable to approach faculty members who were able to direct me to the choir room.
In that simple statement, I believe the culture in most school systems becomes apparent. The choir teacher remains separated, secluded, and locked in a corner over by the drama teacher and the dungeon. And it is very rarely that we break our shackles of time constraints or concerts to venture out in to this chaotic-normal world where people would look at us weird if we were to harmonize with the pitch of the elevator or the tardy bell after it rings for the second time.
Once I was able to make it past the sea of the students and swim into the last hallway and safely land in the music wing, I walked into the choir and found no students. I reassured myself that I was in the right location by re-reading Bethany Zeuch three or four times on her office door.
But luckily I saw an adult someone standing outside of a door on my way out and ventured over that way in hopes that it was Mrs. Zeuch. And it was!! She was prepping for their concert and needed to meet in the auditorium with the students. So I was able to sit in the audience and observe the process in getting ready for the concert, the dress rehearsal in the eyes and perception of the teacher's standpoint.
It was very different having to think about where they would be sitting during the concert. The classroom management was interesting as well. She would talk while they were talking she would not waste her energy trying to talk over them while they were chattering, but it never seemed to get out of hand. This was the first time I got to see a method that allowed for students to talk. It seemed to work very well with the number of students that she had. The boys were trying to distract the girls of course. Who would be funniest was a very obvious competition. But in the end she would joke with them and would laugh when appropriate, but she knew when to reel them back in to get started in working.
Your description of finding the choir room is a microcosm of the stress students feel in negotiating their day to day existence. No wonder the choir room can feel like a safe haven. Interesting your note about a method for allowing students to talk. Teachers really have their own comfort level about this. Some can live with a lot of noise and others can't teach that way. You'll find your own way.
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