Phyllis Garrett is a wonderful music teacher, unlike Mrs. Noonan from my elementary school. Phyllis coaxes and praises; Mrs. Noonan yelled and threatened. Phyllis discovers hidden talents; Mrs. Noonan taught us that the stage was something to fear. Yes, Phyllis Garrett is one of those rare music teachers who gently guides kids to create a wonderful performance, without sucking all of the fun out of it. She lets kids be kids.
Phyllis expects effort and creativity, not perfection. She doesn’t let “perfect become the enemy of good” (a great line from the St. Pete Times today). She calmly reminds her young performers that the show is theirs, for better or worse. The kids take ownership of the production and the result is heartwarming. Kids smile when they perform in her shows. No one throws up or has stage fright. They giggle when they forget a line or trip onstage. A few take extra bows at the end.
When I watch, I can’t stop grinning. I think, “This is what the arts should be about in elementary school: a chance to try something new, a talent discovered, photos for the album, and memories for a lifetime. I can just hear a conversation ten years from now, “Remember when I was a sword swinging rat in the Nutcracker in fifth grade? That was so much fun.”
Today we saw the product of practice. The fifth grade chorus staged their first public performance of “The Nutcracker” and it was terrific. Twirling ballerinas, sword swinging rats, singing bakers, leaping tea drinkers, and dancing flowers graced our makeshift stage with confidence and smiles. The speakers and the singers were audible and animated. The stage hands were equally entertaining.
As I watched, I thought about how much each child has grown since I knew them as third graders. I thought about the things they’ll certainly accomplish in middle school and high school. Then I felt that all too familiar end of the school year departure pang.
As the kids took their final bows, I felt guilty for the times I winced when my students left class for practice over the past two months. I realized that the performance experience taught them more than I ever could. They learned to sing, dance, twirl, and speak. They learned planning, timing, blocking, projection, organization, and preparation. They learned to work together and that hard work pays off. A million little lessons culminating in one 45-minute magical musical. Excellent.
The arts have so much to teach us, even those of us who decided the stage wasn’t for them thirty-seven years ago. Thanks Phyllis Garrett. And thanks kids.
Monday, December 17, 2007
