Dec 10

At school we've resumed singing practice for the winter performance. Our nativity play, which I had thought would be the least of our troubles, is currently the biggest thorn on my side. I had left the rehearsals until the first week of December because I had assumed that most of the students, who belong to various church choirs would be more than familiar with the hymns. It turns out that some of the local churches in a bid to popularize their services and increase the size of their congregations have started organizing rock or pop versions of the hymns. I suspect they were inspired by Sister Act and then were deeply disappointed when their numbers dwindled even further. However, this brings me to my problem - several students who volunteered for our choir are quite unable to sing the original scores of the hymns. I had to eventually decide whether to go with the pop versions of the hymns or not - and I finally decided to organize the music that speaks to the students. And now, suddenly, it does look like a high school version of the choir in Sister Act! Some of the students are getting quite into it. A couple of students were clapping their hands, beat boxing (which involves tapping one's chest to create a type of percussion), and hopping on their feet or perhaps they were dancing - I am not quite sure yet. Initially, I was very hesitant about it because it all seemed so unfamiliar to me, but if this version of music speaks to them and renews their commitment to the season of giving and love then I think I would rather have that.



Oh, and Jenny had volunteered to play the part of Mary. This afternoon, she arrived in a flowing pink robe because she insisted that pink is a color more becoming of young women than Mary's traditional blue robe. I must add that her pink gown also has a feather boa around the collar. And her parents have written a letter in support of their daughter wearing this gown. I was a little unsettled by the whole affair but not half as much as when Mary responded to the third Inn Keeper turning her away by detaching the boa from the robe and brandishing it angrily at the inn keeper. I must say that for a moment it gave the character of Mary an interestingly modern interpretation, and I was about to be convinced that it may not be the worst idea when she launched into an improvised speech that lasted for nearly 5 minutes and it featured every conceivable swear, and some slangs that I hadn't even heard before. After the performance, I approached her quietly:

"Would it be possible for me to have a look at your speech that was not in the script, in writing, so that we can talk about it's possible inclusion or editing before the night of the performance."

"Actually, Sir," She replied very quickly, "I haven't yet decided what I will do on the night of our school performance. If the spirit catches me that night, then I will might do the speech. Or perhaps I might even a different speech."

Honestly, does she really think a high school nativity play is a skit by Second City? Finally, I protested - there are some places where I feel I have to put my foot down. 

Tim