A Performance Like No Other

The past two days have held concerts for all of the students at Guyana Lutheran Music Academy. Last night (Wednesday) featured the keyboard and percussion classes. Tonight featured the brass, guitar, violin, and choir classes. That means that all of my classes had their concerts tonight. Claire made a good point at one time before the concert started saying, “It’s brass, violin, and then the Kelli Lair show!” She wasn’t kidding either. My small brass class started out the program and then her violin class went right after. When violin was done I was involved with every single piece that was performed through the end of the concert. It was a rather crazy night. Needless to say I was extremely nervous tonight because this was my first time conducting a concert as a teacher.

I could not be more proud of my students! They all did a marvelous job. Things came together that I did not think would be possible from two days ago. Many of my students surprised me by how much they had practiced since Monday and Tuesday. I had my two guitar classes combine for a Guyanese folk song called “Chil’ren Chil’ren.” They never got to practice together until today, so I was a little nervous about that, but it was awesome! Claire and Dan both picked up brass instruments and played along with my small brass class to start off the concert. Can I just say that I have some pretty wonderful colleagues Well I do, so I just did. J Dan picked up a baritone in order to help my low brass player out, so I switched Claire to first part yesterday. They both picked up very quickly and did quite well. I really don’t know what I would do without them.

Seeing those students up there on stage performing for their friends and family reminded me why I fell in love with music so many years ago. Sharing something with others that I had fun doing and was passionate about was exciting for me. I could see that same passion in some of their eyes as I looked at them playing. So many of them came up to me after the concert telling me how sad they were that they would not see me or be able to come to music classes for two weeks. I told them they would have plenty of me next semester. These students are why I do what I do. I see joy and passion from them. I see their days take a 180 degree turn after class. I see a spark in them when they see and hear themselves be successful. Yes, they may drive me crazy some days, but that is what they are supposed to do. I feel like they have taught me more these past four months than I have taught them some days. I know that I have been blessed by each one of them coming into my life.

The teachers will now start our long awaited Christmas break. There are lots of random little things that we are doing throughout break that are performances, but other than that we have no obligations again until January 5, and we could not be more excited. I look forward to being able to not having to plan classes, and spending time with myself. I will still be doing some work like inventory, instrument cleaning, and a little construction, but those can be done on my own time. The weirdest thing for us will be eating dinner at a more “normal” dinner hour. That should be fun. As Christmas approaches I hope you all know that I am thinking about you and that your generosity means the world to me. Have a very blessed and safe holiday season!