Tis the season for concerts
It is that time of year at our schools, one filled with joy, wonder and great anticipation — and in some cases, dread. It is time for the annual Christmas concert!
It’s the school event of the year, one that sets the tone and gauges how the school is doing in the eyes of many of the parents. Whether it is a band concert, a play or a combination of both, the planning for this event begins many months (and at times a year) in advance. Some teachers approach this event with great vim and vigor, others with great trepidation. After all, in some instances the teacher is judged by the quality of the Christmas concert.
While parents eagerly wait to see their child on stage performing their lines or song, the school staff have spent countless hours making sure the right play or songs have been picked; backdrops are ready; and then pray the flu bug does not hit early and on performance night! In many schools, practices begin in late November and increase in frequency closer to the day of the performance. The week before the performance there is a flurry of activity and apprehension as students forget lines; lose costumes; get sick; or announce they are now leaving for holidays early and will not be able to perform. Through all of this, the school staff and parent volunteers soldier on, determined to “give the best show ever.”
During practices, doubt creeps into the minds of the organizers, fear that the evening will be a disaster; students will forget lines; miss their cues; won’t line up correctly; or the set looks wrong! Through this trepidation they continue to practise and guide the students forward to the big night.
The evening of the big event arrives and all nerves are on edge. Staff are exhausted, students are nervous and all want to put on the best performance ever. The seats fill up with excited parents and grandparents, all awaiting that one moment their child is on stage, and the perfect photo opportunity to capture the moment forever. The lights go down, the curtain rises and the performance begins. A few nervous students fumble with a line or miss the spot where they’re supposed to stand, but in the end the performance is amazing and every parent is proud that their child was part of the best performance ever!
For the organizers, having every student show up, escaping without anyone getting sick on stage, and the students left smiling is a great reward! In the end, as parents and teachers, we all want our children to succeed, but more important is the opportunity to participate in this type of event.
Thank you to all the students, teachers, staff and parent volunteers who make this very special night occur! We know it is not easy, but thank you for setting the spirit of the season and for giving each of us “the best show ever.”
Dave Driscoll is Superintendent of Schools for Palliser Regional Schools.