Dear All,

 

I am having a very tough year with my Concert Choir, an ensemble of 9th and 10th grade students. We had 85 students select this ensemble, but unfortunately, the administration, instead of running two sections of the class, cut out 20 students and placed the remaining 65 in one period. I was given 45 boys and 20 women.

 

The discipline issue this year have been staggering. Though I give a contract, expectations, and try to be consistent with discipline, the group seems very immature and talking and disruptions abound. We have not accomplished nearly as much as I would like. I try to keep my pacing fast, have students stand to sing when working sections, students sing across parts, as well as take small rhythmic tasks when reviewing new music. Despite my efforts, the production is poor, the attention of the students is almost non-existent, and the discipline issues are at times unmanageable, even with calls home and discipline referalls.

 

Some of my colleagues in the school have said that we are just encountering a very unmotivated and emotionally immature class. I tend to believe there is potential in all students. So my questions are: #1 What suggestions do you have for this kind of group with such an unbalanced make-up? #2 What advise do you have for me to keep my sanity and optimism with the students? and #3 What kind of motivational activities would you gear towards these students, including fun music/warm-up activities to motivate?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Peter Isherwood

Middletown HS North, NJ

Oboe32(a)aol.com