The National Association for Music Educators reminds us that March is recognized as “Music in Our Schools” month. Tonight, at Bearden High School, the choruses from all the Knox County high schools performed their annual showcase concert as a way to kick off the annual observance.
I wrote about this topic briefly a year ago.
Basically, each chorus comes on stage and performs two selections. In a word…wow. What a kickoff.
As a musical novice, what I find to be really interesting is how diverse the musical selections are. Somber, soulful, soothing. We were treated to pieces ranging from hymns to spirituals. Numerous groups performed African pieces with pulsating percussion to punctuate the talented vocals.
I also enjoy watching the various directors with their different styles and panache. I am almost fascinated with what they are telling their students with body language, facial expressions and the various hand motions that I see (but don’t understand).
Bearden’s auditorium was a wonderful location for this year’s showcase and ‘the home team’ did quite well during its turn. As an aside, for all the many times I have been to BHS, I think that was the first time I have been to the auditorium at that school.
What I enjoyed most about the event was hearing the different styles; the unique approaches taken by each of the different schools. I felt the same way last year.
And still saying all of that, I am biased. I like our group best.
That’s not surprising, I guess. I know these students. I see all the time they put in to learn the material and to get better. And I see their hard-working director, Kenton Deitch at work. He demands excellence and the students rise to that challenge.
At one point before they went on, I noticed Mr. Deitch speaking to Paul. Lisa wondered if he was asking Paul to introduce the FHS group and indeed that is exactly what happened. Mr. Deitch also encouraged Paul to make a “Pirates” reference, which he did. In fact, I would go so far as to say that PG was 'very model of’ tactful in working in the subtle promo. I loved the intro.
As for the music, it was impressive to see our group on the big stage tonight and hear them sing. They did - and always do - such a great job.
JG
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