Let's restore our Chorus program.
It is very difficult for me as a parent, to sit back and not address the recent and abrupt changes happening in Chorus at Lake Brantley High School.
An assistant was pulled from classes, that surely go beyond class size and student to teacher ratio. On top of that, Brantley on Broadway has been reduced to one night, which will be impossible for all families to see because with a program with over 220 students, not everyone will be able to see their child perform or have fun as they celebrate the end to another school year, saying goodbye to the seniors. A tradition.
Solo performances that children have been practicing and preparing for, some even going so far as to take private lessons to develop and further their talents, have been eliminated. Now there is no time for any student to shine or have their turn at bat.
Candelight Processional, a grand tradition for our students, has also been eliminated. Our Chorus students look forward to performing at Disney and entertaining people. We've gone so far as to be an Honor Choir and get positive recognition from several members of the staff in charge of Candelight.
The ACDA Honor Choir has been shut down, denying the opportunity for our students to compete.
And finally, Chorale, a community and school collaboration, is over. If Seminole County and LBHS believe that breaking apart the ties with the community is a good thing, then I question other choices that are being made in regards to my son's/daughter's education. Former students, present students, parents, people in the community enjoy this time getting to know eachother and spreading good cheer.
In other words, this would never have happened if it were a sport. Not everyone gets to shine everytime. There can't be one more than one person at bat or one quarterback throwing a football. Sometimes our children get solos, sometimes they don't. It's life and it's not fair. Unfortunately, after raising two children who have and are still taking Chorus at LBHS, I am so disappointed that my child's final year as a senior will be forgetable. How sad to deflate the hopes, dreams and opportunities of our children because of one mistake.
I thought our job was to improve the school system and encourage our children to take on extra curricular activities, enourage their relationship with the community, and teach them that life isn't always fair. What a shame to punish the group as a whole.
As a parent, I volunteer my time to help try and restore what has been lost. Our teachers are not robots and require help. I know, because I was a teacher and right now I am quite unhappy with these changes. Chorus has come a long way under the direction of Carlton Kilpatrick. Please don't tie his hands behind his back and then ask him to perform a miracle.
