Clearly, improvements can been seen in our PA groups, regardless of whatever awards the groups were awarded.
This brings to mind the subject title. SYF is suppose to be a FESTIVAL, and not a COMPETITION!!!! Numerous feedback have been given to CCAB with regards to the Festival. Most teachers (including teachers from other schools) have commented how SYF is being run and importantly, how it affects EVERYONE.
CCAB mentioned that SYF is about the showcasing of the various PA groups and also a benchmark of where the PA groups are.
However, the stress level that the students and teachers go thru are almost unbelievable.
If the students are well-prepped for their performance and for whatever award that they will receive, they will or should be able to manage their emotions fairly well.
However, if the students do not get their desire awards, they will be very crest-fallen, and it is up to the teachers to comfort them and to bring up their spirit.
What is most important as a teacher is to guide the students to see the BIGGER picture out there (teamwork, communication, expectations and emotions).
I had to comfort my music student yesterday after the results were announced. Her eyes were totally red, and she was trying her best to copying her homework assignment.
I told her:
regardless of the award that the group receive,
think about how much you have gone thru.
How much have you learn & achieve?
How did u mentor your juniors?
How did the whole group work as ONE?
You guys sounded as ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, and ONE VOICE.
You have come so far, you have participated in 2 syf.
You have learned so much within the span of 3years, this is just a small pebble in your life.
Look back, reflect on your learning journey.
After i advised her, i think back to how the choir's alumni advised the choir members.
We the teachers & the alumni had to "scold" the choir quite frequently before Achievement Day. There were the scoldings, the pampering, the advising, the reflection log that every choir member had to do, and the Facebook.
New media is a very powerful tool, and with many thanks to Facebook, we had the chance to communicate even more frequently with the choir. The alumni were doing their best to help their juniors, there were many quotes...there were some small scolding, and there were many GREAT ADVISES - both from the alumni and parent.
One of the most worthy sentence came from a alumni. He said:
" you need to CRAFT every note....."
Almost every choir member relate to the above sentence and tried their very best.
For the first time (or maybe the 2nd), the choir sounded as ONE HEART, ONE SOUL and ONE VOICE when they performed in SOTA. They smiled, they sang with passion and most importantly, they ENJOYED their performance!!!!!
I am really very happy for them, and how much they have learned from this whole experience. They were able to reflect on their own singing, and i hope this learning journey will stay forever engraved in their minds.
think about how much you have gone thru.
How much have you learn & achieve?
How did u mentor your juniors?
How did the whole group work as ONE?
You guys sounded as ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, and ONE VOICE.
You have come so far, you have participated in 2 syf.
You have learned so much within the span of 3years, this is just a small pebble in your life.
Look back, reflect on your learning journey.
After i advised her, i think back to how the choir's alumni advised the choir members.
We the teachers & the alumni had to "scold" the choir quite frequently before Achievement Day. There were the scoldings, the pampering, the advising, the reflection log that every choir member had to do, and the Facebook.
New media is a very powerful tool, and with many thanks to Facebook, we had the chance to communicate even more frequently with the choir. The alumni were doing their best to help their juniors, there were many quotes...there were some small scolding, and there were many GREAT ADVISES - both from the alumni and parent.
One of the most worthy sentence came from a alumni. He said:
" you need to CRAFT every note....."
Almost every choir member relate to the above sentence and tried their very best.
For the first time (or maybe the 2nd), the choir sounded as ONE HEART, ONE SOUL and ONE VOICE when they performed in SOTA. They smiled, they sang with passion and most importantly, they ENJOYED their performance!!!!!
I am really very happy for them, and how much they have learned from this whole experience. They were able to reflect on their own singing, and i hope this learning journey will stay forever engraved in their minds.
Yes it's a pity that a well intended programme has degenerated into an unhealthy competition that wrecks the nerves and morale if the very people it tries to develop.
ReplyDeleteArt is about creating, presenting and responding.
If only the Festival can enable and encourage all 3 instead of heavily focusing on just presenting.
And you are right, it takes a lot of effort for teachers and school community to help pupils refocus on the core purpose: teamwork and aesthetic appreciation with all 3 components.