As any music teacher would attest, December means concerts.
This is a bitter sweet month; there is a lot of tension, but when the concert is over, there hopefully is a lot of satisfaction.
What really cracks me up is how the rest of the world views December. Many get so stressed with all that Christmas preparation: decorating. baking. Christmas cards, gifting. Personally, I think it’s all lots of fun . Yes, it is a busy time of year. But whenever someone starts bellyaching to me over it all, I just have to laugh. Music teachers do all that PLUS concerts! I almost always get sick, dread hearing Christmas carols, and am in charge of zillions of little ones bringing holiday cheer to their loved ones.
For the past 8 years I have had 4 concerts for school and my piano Christmas party in December. (that didn’t include going to my children’s concerts as the parent!) Generally, I put about 575 kids on stage during the month. This year I only have 2 concerts and the Christmas piano party. (only 200 kids!) It feels like such a HUGE break. I am really enjoying the season! I actually put on Christmas carols while we decorated the tree yesterday and felt great.
So all you music parents, truly appreciate your child’s music teacher this month. Once again, not trying to blow my own horn, just venting a bit about a high pressure month.
Happy holidays!
Wow, that is a lot! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Music teachers are amazing!
The one thing my mom always dreaded was all the music-themed knicknacks her students would give her at holiday time. I mean, how many treble clef-shaped magnets can one person use?
You have 200 students?!?!?!?!?!
haha I teach public school during the day and piano at night. I have 11 piano students. At school, I teach K-4 music and 5/6 choirs. In a week’s time I see over 500 students. So to program only 200 seems easy compared to last year when I had to program all 500!
Oh! Ok! That makes more sense. I was trying to figure out …. did you have group lessons….are you just Superwoman…