For many, the annual Christmas Program is the only time teachers, staff, parents, grandparents, and community members will see their child’s music teacher in action.

Frequently, the music teacher alone is responsible for nearly all of the key aspects that are “on stage” during this program:

• liturgically sound, age-appropriate seasonal repertoire
• instrumental and/or vocal technique
• performance skills – entering and exiting the performance area, standing still, executing rhythmic movement/choreography, speaking slowly and clearly into a microphone, among others
• costume design
• designing and formatting the program
• conducting and guiding the students (with a smile plastered to your face!)

Then there are the “off stage” items, which may include, but are not limited to:

• communicating with principals, teachers, parents, custodians, and accompanists
• drawing the map that shows where everyone sits by grade level and how and when to get on and off the risers
• classroom rehearsals
• figuring out the sound system
• dress rehearsal
• small group rehearsals during your only planning period
• thank you notes

Now go home and wrap presents, cook and bake for a week straight, and conduct and sing at your parish midnight mass (if you are as crazy as I am).

Actually, after 15 years of producing mostly successful Christmas programs, the Elementary Christmas Program is for me a major source of Christmas spirit warm-fuzzies.  I would sorely be lacking in Christmas spirit without these labors of love.

This year, one line from Luke’s gospel (read by a sweet little fourth grader) summed it up for me:

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”

Although I’m not one for making them, I love the idea of scrapbooks.  My own children have received some of the most lovingly assembled scrapbooks from teachers who wanted them to remember how special that particular school year was.  As they get older, the kids love looking at their four-year old scrapbook with pictures of them with Santa, learning to write their name, playing with friends….

Handmade scrapbooks honor important events and experiences in our lives.  I am grateful for the people who take time to carefully choose the materials, themes, pictures, illustrations, and captions, and format these small notions into a beautiful remembrance.

A beautiful, visceral remembrance is what the annual Christmas program is all about.

Songs taught with care for beautiful singing. Poems and scripture read clearly and slowly so grandma’s hearing aid can pick it up. Instruments played with loving precision.  The smell of hot glue on felt.  All of these make up a scrapbook for the soul.

 

 

 

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