This is what I do...

I work with 150 choral students out of a program of 275 every day. I listen to complaints, deal with poor attitudes, file music, write receipts, file uniforms, talk through broken hearts, speak comforting words when times are not so great, write referrals (I hate doing this!), look at baby sonograms (twice this year alone), arrange chairs, chaperone bus trips, fill out paperwork, make programs, organize, organize, organize. What I really do, is encourage young musicians to find their inner voice in life to stand strong. We make music with our lives. At our final Spring concert Thursday night, these students made music. 

Ascribe to the Lord- All women's piece. Really Great. 

Psalm 23- Please listen to this. It is my favorite piece of music. (Lauda means Praise) 

Omnia Sol- SATB, 10-12th grade. The text speaks for itself. Just stunning. 

Somewhere far from nowhere, I grew both strong and tall…
Longing to become, but knowing not the path at all!
But the footprints of the winter melted to fields of spring;
One last embrace before I cross the threshold: To life we sing!


O stay your soul and leave my heart its song!
O stay your hand; the journey may be long!
And when we part, and sorrow can’t be sway’d….
Remember when, and let your heart be staid.

Omnia sol temperat,
Absens in remota.
Ama me fideliter,
Fidem mean noto.

(Translation: The sun warms everything,
even while I am far away.
Love me faithfully,
and know that I am faithful.) 

Weave the dance and raise the chorus; grieve no more…
Through the strength of Orion, find refuge from the shore!
Let courage be your oar, let passion be your sail;
Wisdom and truth will guide your deep heart’s yearning, though all travail!

O stay your soul and leave my heart its song!
O stay your hand; the journey may be long!
And when we part, and sorrow can’t be sway’d…
Remember when, and let your heart be staid.

Omnia sol temperat,
Absens in remota.
Ama me fideliter,
Fidem mean noto.

Omnia sol temperat, (Ah ah ah ah ah ma)
And when we part, and sorrow can’t be sway’d…
Remember when…
Remember when…
And let your heart be staid… Be staid.

Sleep...

What makes you tired just thinking about it? For my current class, I have tried twice in 24 hours to read assignments for this week. Within 5 minutes of reading, I have been out like a light. Must be something about a 4 inch book on Music Research Articles....and the thought of the 20 page final thesis paper due at the end of June... 

What is making you tired just thinking about it? 

Working like a mad woman...

Well, seeing as the date of my last blog was my anniversary- Things here have been a little hectic. In fact, as a write this blog, I am sitting at DHS on a Sunday afternoon waiting on music packets to copy for our Spring concert Tuesday.

I had a great time with the students in Williamsburg last weekend, but really weekend trips mean working 12 days in a row, which is just crazy when you throw in concerts and other end-of-year madness.

It is the final countdown...

3 School Related Performances
2 Chamber Singers Performances
1 School Chorus Banquet

and I am OUT for the summer. I start back with my next Master's class tomorrow to top it all off. Yikes!

So here's the point: In three weeks, will June 4th really be here??

2/8 Years.

Today I have been married to my wonderful husband for 2 years and have been his girlfriend for 8 years. When I see him each day, my heart still skips a beat. When I say his name,  I can't help but smile. He is the love of  my life and my true, best friend. Here is a picture from then and now... 

Junior Prom, 1 year dating anniversary, April 21, 2002

Our wedding, April 21st, 2007. 

Spring has Sprung...

It is here! I could tell you that weeks ago by the crazy way the children at school have been acting. At the Jurek household we finally got our act together and did some spring cleaning. Two huge bags of clothes and an old computer monitor to Goodwill and some yard work. Check out our hard work before (the bottom picture) and after shots (all the rest!) 

April Surprise!

So it finally came! April Surprise and boy was Kyle surprised. We really had a great weekend in Charleston. We had some much needed "us" time to relax and have some fun out in the sun together. We also got to see our favorite comedian, Brian Regan. He is SO very funny and really clean. There were elementary age kids everywhere, but I tell you - this guys is hilarious! 

Weekends like these are just so great to have every now and then. They make me so thankful for the job I have and the life I have been blessed with living each and every day. Click here for more pictures if you would like! 

Falls Creek

Yesterday we hiked Falls Creek (the waterfall near PBC). It was rated a strenuous 1.7 mile hike that should take an hour and a half to 2 hours. We were at the top in 50 minutes! It was Mac's first hike and she loved it! I would highly recommend it- the last little bit is the hardest, but the view was so worth it!