tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post2472234666684113793..comments2023-11-02T07:25:45.884-05:00Comments on Mormanity - a blog for those interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Surviving My First Ward Choir ExperienceJeff Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-62051459566128702562007-07-26T00:48:00.000-05:002007-07-26T00:48:00.000-05:00This post reminds me of my math teacher in eighth ...This post reminds me of my math teacher in eighth grade algebra. She had a terrible habit of telling students "You are smart, so you should understand this" whenever they asked a question she could not answer. By doing a bit of a straw poll of friends of mine who went through the same school system, I found quite a few of my friends who said the words, "I hate math" or "I'm just not very good at math" went through her class. She literally turned dozens if not hundreds of students off over the years with her attitude and ineptitude as a math teacher. What always baffled me was the fact that her primary subject of interest was either history or English, but she got to teach the top math class because she had the most letters behind her name. If not for my Math Team coach, who knows where my math ability (and love) would've gone.<BR/><BR/>When I was in college, I had an opportunity to teach Sunday School in my former church to the 8th grade class. I asked them if any of them would be in that teacher's class. Those who said they would I warned, telling them not to let her convince them they were stupid or slow if they did not understand. She heard about my warning from one of the students, and told my mother to stop saying such things to her students. I sent back the message that I would be glad to discuss the matter with her directly, but she did not need to involve my mother.<BR/><BR/>Some might say I acted rudely or rashly, but it is my sincere hope that I saved just a few students from hating math because of her terrible teaching methods.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-68556766506767414212007-07-17T04:06:00.000-05:002007-07-17T04:06:00.000-05:00JeffNice post. If you will let me, here is my stor...Jeff<BR/><BR/>Nice post. If you will let me, here is my story about singing<BR/><BR/>I had always wanted to sing as a child, and the desire never left. I was under the misunderstanding that singing ability was genetic. <BR/><BR/>At the ripe old age of 39 I decided that I didn't have anything to lose by trying so after a bit of searching I located a vocal teacher. That was in 2001, now 6 years later I have completed grade 8 voice grade 3 history and grade 3 piano. I have competed in Kiwanis (a very large annual music competition here in Canada) for the past 3 years and have placed consistently in the high 80's low 90's (sufficient to place 2nd). I am preparing for ARCT accreditation and also getting ready for an audition with the Calgary Opera. <BR/><BR/>Everyone can sing, and everyone has a beautiful voice. A very dear man that was also teaching me, up until he passed away, was fond of saying that the only difference between a beginner and a Pavarotti was the amount of time invested. <BR/><BR/>Singing is a lifetime art and takes a lifetime to perfect, but you'll be doing good in 5 years.<BR/><BR/>As always, I love your posts Jeff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-45001156586592142402007-07-16T12:53:00.000-05:002007-07-16T12:53:00.000-05:00This post makes me miss singing. Due to low atten...This post makes me miss singing. Due to low attendance our ward choir dissipated over a year ago. I, like you, lack that beautiful thing called "tone." But I always LOVED singing the hymns and choir directors were always willing to give me a chance... <BR/><BR/>sniff... sniff... <BR/><BR/>Maybe again in the future...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com