What Happened to my program?

Bryan Fisher

What Happened to my program? Part 2

BACKSTORY

In May of 2023 I wrote a “Voices from the district” article for Star of the North. In it, I explained the less-than-ideal state of my choir program. To summarize, when I took my current job, I had a choir colleague. 14% of the school was singing in choir – I had more than 300 students singing. We were in a 7-period day. Life was good. Flash forward six years and my numbers were dismal. My colleague was cut, our district had changed boundaries reducing building enrollment by 40%, and I had just over 100 students singing in choir. I began to question whether I should stay in the field or not.

Over the past two years, I have had numerous conversations with colleagues, usually at conferences or choral events. I’ve been thanked for being transparent and honest, and I found out others were in varying degrees of a similar situation, though usually not so extreme.

As I concluded my May 2023 article:

“I’ve rolled up my sleeves, dug in deep and attempted to move forward. We’ve proposed various scheduling options, none of which have been initiated. Our new administration is supportive and proving to be effective thus far, but no major scheduling alternatives as of yet. I still wallow in self-pity and spend way too much time complaining about the state I’m in. It’s hard not to do so. But with encouragement from many of you and by amazing parents and colleagues, I have no choice but to move forward as best as I can.”

So, with that encouragement and support, here is where I am today: 

• I’m still without a choral colleague
• We’re still in a 6-period day
• Our building numbers remain just over 1200 (from 2000 before all of these changes)
• Our performing arts staffing had gone from 6.9 FTEs to 3.8 FTEs in 2023. Next year we’ll be at 3.0.
• I’m still full-time (.8 choir and .2 Unified Performing Arts Exploration)

HOWEVER…

• Our administration has been mostly consistent since my last article. They have been supportive and helpful in making choir thrive at Southwest. 
• My numbers have been growing

• I have two zero-hour select choirs (already in regular choirs)
  • 11th/12th Chamber singers of 24
  • 9th/10th Select Choir of 52
• Most importantly, today I can honestly say that I LOVE my job.
  • My students are some of the most motivating, kind, empathetic, talented and fun young humans I’ve ever worked with. When I’m feeling down, they keep me coming back.
  • I started a spring ReVue show that sold out in its second year. 
  • Choir excitement and enthusiasm from both students and parents is palpable.
  • I have no desire to do anything else other than teach until I retire.

I’ll end my article exactly the way I did two years ago. None of the statements have changed. Perhaps I’ve established my teaching philosophy.

WHAT I KNOW

Things won’t go back to normal, because normal doesn’t exist.
Students need choir communities.
The 6-period day kills high school performing arts programs.
I need to re-think how I do choir.
I need to worry less about what I think my program was or is supposed to be and focus on meeting the needs of those students sitting in front of me every day. 
I believe what I do matters.
I believe in the choral art.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you through ACDA-MN for these past three years. It has been an honor and a privilege. If you need anything, please feel free to reach out, stop me at Dialogue or Fall Conference and strike up a conversation. Let’s all continue to be here for each other, to connect with and support each other. It’s a large part of why we’re all a part of this amazing community. Take care, everyone.