Toronto children's Chorus part two

This is a continuation to my last posting and is about the Toronto children's chorus.  My daughter was a member of this organization and I too shared in the wonderful professional development offered to me.
One of the many numerous special offerings on this world class ensemble included their consistent connections to many artists, performers, composers, musicians, etc.  the group under the capable artistic direction Jean Ashworth Bartle would often invite composers and other musicians to work with the group of young singers.
I remember one such session where Sir David Willcocks visited and worked with the choir at many rehearsals and was a guest conductor at an upcoming concert.  As mentioned in my first posting, parents were actively involved with this organization.  I would mark theory on a weekly basis!  What they (the organization) is excellent at doing is to identify the contributions parents could make to make the organization stronger.  For example, if you are an accountant, you could help with finances, if you were a medical doctor, you would travel with the group, be the doctor on call at summer camp.  If you were a musician, like myself, you marked theory papers, helped with set and operation of a PA sound system when at concerts at invited events.  Your experience and talents and gifts would be tapped into.
Getting back to Sir David Willcocks.  I got opportunities to talk to him about music and watch him rehearse, and consequently learn from this artist.  There were many such opportunities to interact with visiting artists.  I enjoyed watching Jean Ashworth Bartle work as well.  She ran an amazing rehearsal.  Disciplined and challenging students to listen and focus for the full time.  Jean never wasted a minute of rehearsal time - it was too valuable to her and the choir!
The fund raising this organization did was out of this world.  As mentioned, high level people were asked to be Board members.  This CEO's of large companies used their knowledge to make the organization a huge success.  Artisitically amazing, business savvy, and everything worked from top to bottom.  Communication was top notch.  The organization would raise 1000's of dollars through ponssietta flower sales.  Every family was expected to sell a base amount.  If you didn't make your quota, the family would make-up the difference!  They guaranteed themselves 100,000.00$ in sales!  Imagine!  There was promotion, a committee to take of this, a committee to take care of fund raising, a committee to arrange social activites, etc.  the organization consisted of many choirs, from the little ones to the teenager age and of course alumni!  I think they had some 7 choirs working, rehearsing on a weekly basis, and you dare not arrive late for a rehearsal or be absent.  There was a waiting list of many youngsters ready to take your place if you did not behave or know your singing part.  The audition of some 300 youngsters wanting to be a part of this world-class organization took place annually.  Parents were interviewed as well as the young chorister.  I remember being asked at my interview if I understood what I was getting myself involved with!  There was reading of documents And large amounts paperwork to be signed-off on to ensure your commitment to the organization.  Expectations were clear and this organization was around long enough to prove that what they were accomplishing was world class in everything, not just musically, but business -wise as well.  There was the desire to be the best and they followed their plan efficiently, effectively and attentively!
I loved it.  I witnessed extraordinary experiences, the concerts, the fund raising, the social activites, the many artists, the beautiful choral music, it was exceptional and I was so proud for my daughter because this organization helped to build her not only artistically, but to be organized, committed, to be prepared weekly, to aim for high goals and accomplish beyond your dreams.  To meet wonderful people with so many gifts, to share in this excitement.  Wow!
I have incorporated some of the ideas gleaned from this organization in my own work as a teacher and when I was department head of arts at saint Elizabeth catholic high school.  I was indeed fortunate to have experienced some amazing training and got to spend time with my daughter, special time with her where we could talk about the music, learn the music together and share in the energy of this great journey we took together.  It cost my wife and I some money and time, but it was worth it!

Toronto Children's Chorus connection, introduction

Before I begin, I think I plan to post additional entries about my experience with the Toronto children's chorus.
I reflect about a few years ago when my daughter Sarah was a member of this organization for 6 years.  If you know anything about this organization, this meant that your entire family was involved in some way with the organization!
I learned a lot from watching the artistic director and conductor of the ensemble Jean Ashworth Bartle work rehearsals and direct concert presentations.  I learned a lot about an organization that was truly world-class with its fund raising, its activities, its music learning, its network with artists from around the world, its promotion, its business structure, its operation.  The organization was a machine, highly intricate, with many parts and levels that all worked together to achieve the highest of goals both artistically and in management.  This artistic Machine kept re energizing itself with new talent, replacing graduates as needed.  How, with such extraordinary abilities, support, thinking, confidence, and more did they move forward year after year?
In my observations, I put together some ideas.
My daughter loved every minute of it.  I got to receive professional development in the highest order. It was challenging, exhausting at times, frustrating, joyful, time consuming, valuable, meaningful, everything you would want for your daughter to experience.  I was totally impressed and still believe that this organization is thriving after so many years.
Is it the music?  Is it the leadership? Is it the people? Is it the desire to achieve greatness by contributing to something you believe in strongly?  Maybe all of these and then some.
Stay tuned for part two, where I describe some specific details.

Ontariio Band Association festival feb. 11, 2016

Saint Elizabeth Senior Concert Band performs at 8:00 a.m., and is awarded Gold!  Further, our band is being further recognized to be given one of the special awards, for it performance of Persichetti's Psalm for Band, and suite in f, by Holst.  Also, the band has been invited to the Nationals level festival in May, to be held in Ottawa.  I am very pleased with our work at school and the students are approaching the music learning and performing with a bit more sophistication.  I am proud to be recognized and look forward to continued success. The OBA festival is great.  I have been attending and participating for years.  Congratulations to the school, the program and of course the students for their professional and artistic performance completed yesterday, early morning!
Next event is Music Alive festival, held in York Region.  Participating at festivals is a wonderful and worthwhile experience.  It is challenging and it opens a window to exploring repertoire, getting feedback from adjudicators and the workshop is fantastic, too.

Change the world

Yesterday, I visit a community centre located nearby to gather information about registering for a community self defence class.  The community centre offers a library so I dropped in and walked around.  I enjoy a visit to the library and really should do this often.  I signed-out a DVD and a book caught my attention:  31 ways to change the world.  These gathered actions were collected from listening to some several hundred young children.  I took the book home and examined some of the pages.  I enjoyed looking at the suggestions that I decided to share this concept with a couple of classes today at school.  It was my introduction and certainly engaged the students and captured their attention. Let's call these moments the teachable moment.  It's something interesting and curiosity is tapped.  The students responded with enthusiasm and comments as I read out loud some of the actions we do each and everyday that really do found for something.  For example:
1)) smile 2) shower for two minutes instead of 7 minutes to save water, 3) show granny how to text - why? Because you are spending time with her and she can text other people as well! 4) compliment often - it does not cost anything, and it can make someone feel good, sometimes that positive feeling could last for weeks! 5) stand up for something! 6) love your stuff 7) take dad for a walk.  The book offers inspiration, to consider how your little steps can make a big difference, that putting these little actions together with many others could "change the world".