My Final Rehearsal(s) = Reflection, recognition, tradition, and transition

Where I teach, on Long Island, we still have nearly twenty more rehearsals. Whether you are counting down the final days, or still have some time left, this blog post will be helpful!

 

Many use the last day(s) of class for yearbook signing, collecting missing music, and allowing free periods with lots of selfies. Sure, those things may need to happen, but making the final day(s) meaningful is so important for building tradition within our program.

 

The final rehearsal, especially, can be really special. It can sum up the entire year and leave an imprint on graduating seniors, future choir leaders, and the youngest members of the choir.

 

I’m going to share with you my end-of-the-year plan for this year.

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Leading up to the final rehearsal of the school year

At my high school, our final concert is 4 days before the final rehearsal of the school year; we created this “late concert” structure with the purpose of keeping our students engaged and invested until the very end of the school year. When our Spring choral concert is over on June 5th, our final four rehearsals offer an opportunity for reflection, recognition, tradition, and transition.

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What NOT to do IN CLASS the day AFTER the concert……

The day after the concert (4 days before the end) – THURSDAY

On the day after the concert, we have our next-year officer candidate give one-minute speeches followed by qualitative voting; the process of choosing officers is far more elaborate than an election. This is the day that all potential officers need to engage their classmates.

With the remaining time left, we will discuss the concert. A meaningful discussion takes place, where I serve as the facilitator. This discussion begins by discussing the WINS of the concert, followed by CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK. We finally conclude with “looking ahead”, using the WINS and CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK to improve next year’s concert.

Whatever we don’t finish discussing today will be discussed on Friday and Monday.

 

The 3rd to last rehearsal  – FRIDAY

During this rehearsal, all of our seniors get the opportunity to speak to the entire group. Some will prepare speeches while others will ad-lib. This is their chance to share how choir has shaped them and offer advice to the continuing choir members.

 

Our chosen officers have been building the group’s morale all year; they have problem-solved, made countless impactful decisions and organized concerts and events. They deserve an opportunity to say their goodbyes and show their appreciation for serving our ensemble.

 

 

That evening is our annual Choir Formal, where all of our students dress up and we celebrate the school year and recognize each individual senior with a lighthearted award. The seniors bring their yearbooks to the formal. This is a great opportunity for the younger students to sign their yearbooks.

 

On Saturday Morning, right after many students finished taking the ACTS, we will post the officer positions for next year in our google classrooms. The purpose of doing this on Saturday is to allow each student to react on their own time in their own personal space.

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The 2nd to last rehearsal  – MONDAY

On Monday, we will be without our seniors, as they will be on a senior retreat, visiting their elementary schools. This rehearsal will be the first time the group will be congregating since the posting and they will be without the seniors.

This will be my opportunity to continue our discussion about the choir concert. We will discuss things we can improve upon for next year, as well as discuss our upcoming summer choir clinic.

 

All officers for next year must have signed a contract prior to this class period stating they want the position they are being offered, and they understand their job is to be a role model and to fulfill their job to the best of their ability.

Additionally, any students who wish to further discuss their offered positions, or want to understand my rationale for not receiving a position can meet privately at a later time.

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The FINAL Rehearsal

The final rehearsal is the last opportunity we have to plant our seed; by planting our seed, I mean keeping the graduating seniors invested in the program beyond graduation while inspiring the continuing students to return with excitement and motivation.

 

 

Next, we quickly acknowledge all of our officers for the year.

 

Finally, with 5 minutes left in the period, we call up our graduating seniors and then stand in front of the choir and sing “A Parting Blessing” to our choir. There isn’t a dry eye in the room as the bell rings and our final rehearsal concludes.

Free Qualitative Officer Election Ballot

Choir Officer Application – how to choose the best choir officers

There are several goals that I try to accomplish each and every year at my very last rehearsal:

 

1. Recognize the current officers for their leadership and contribution

It’s important to note that recognizing the senior officers is important, but recognizing the underclass officers is equally important. In some cases, underclass officers will not be continuing as officers; this is a great opportunity to recognize them for this year’s contributions.

By recognizing the above-and-beyond service of our leaders and role models, we will inspire future leaders and role models to come forward.

Post Concert Self-Assessment – have your students assess their concert

2. Sing ALL of our Traditionals

At the final rehearsal, we will sing all of our “traditional” songs that were not just featured at our spring concert. This will bring a sense of musical connection within our group as this will be the last time we sing just about all of these songs. There are close to a dozen songs we sing every year, especially ones we sing for the winter concert. Each song is special to the choir. This gives the seniors an opportunity to sing these songs one last time.

3. Share my final words with the choir

Every year is special. Every choir is unique. Bringing closure to the year allows me to reflect on our collective experience and also reinforces the many beautiful moments we’ve shared from my perspective.

Alternative Concert Assignment – for singers who missed the concert

4. The seniors sing “A Parting Blessing” to the Choir

The traditional “two minute” arrangement that we perform is also sung at graduation by our seniors. Our student vocal director assembles the seniors with less than 4 minutes left in the period as our departing choir members sing this emotional sendoff with next year’s leaders looking on. This experience is quite moving for everyone in the room.

What does this last rehearsal accomplish?

We have essentially passed the leadership torch from one year of seniors to the next. We have recognized our current leaders (since we have already recognized our individual seniors the previous Friday). Our leaders have shown their appreciation for the choir as they passed on their words of wisdom.

 

Next year’s officers have accepted their commitment to step up and fill the shoes of our graduates. The choir program, as a whole, has witnessed the well-organized transition from the 2022-2023 into the 2023-2024 choir, which begins the moment that “A Parting Blessing” is over.

 

Most importantly, the choir as a whole, especially the younger students, witness empowered seniors who cared deeply about the choir and each other. The younger students watched their role models say their goodbyes as they begin to imagine the new, potential role models who will be stepping up.

 

The year has ended, and the cycle continues. One more group of alumni who spread the joy of singing and one more summer will begin where hope springs eternal as all current high school students take one giant leap forward within our program.

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