Music Teacher Tip # 32:
I once had a student join my non-auditioned performing chorus at the beginning of her 4th grade year. She couldn’t match pitch yet. 😧
Once rehearsals started, the kids around her would occasionally find me after rehearsal and whisper that she was messing them up. I would remind them to be patient and that she would get better. 🤷🏼♀️
At the very beginning of the same girl’s 5th grade year I asked my chorus who wanted to try out for all-State chorus comprised of the top 200 singers in North Carolina. This girl raised her hand. 🙋🏻♀️
My first thought was for her feelings. I worried that she wasn’t ready and didn’t want her to be disappointed. I also didn’t want her to see a negative reaction from the other students. 😢 Never being one to discourage anyone, I sent her home with a rehearsal track, sheet music, and directions, and continued preparing this interested group of students for all-State auditions. 🎶👩👩👧👧👨👨👦👦👨👩👧👦👨👨👧👦🎶
That year two students in my school made it! That student who couldn’t match pitch the beginning of her 4th grade year was selected at the beginning of her 5th grade year as one of 200 of the best singers in the state. 💁🏻♀️🏆
Never forget... if a student has two vocal chords and at least one working ear, they can learn to sing too. They may just end up being the best you’ve ever heard. 🥰
And this is as true for singing as it is for anything else in life: desire and the willingness to do the work matter exponentially more than natural talent ever will. 🙂
Oh, and in case you are still wondering, everyone can sing. 🎤
Happy teaching! ❤️🎶
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