TEXAS SINGS !!!

What a great month I have had traveling the state to judge UIL Choir Concert and Sightreading Contests in San Antonio, Abilene, and Garland. I have had the privilege of eavesdropping on over 100 junior high and high school choral programs and I can tell you that singing is alive and well in our great state! Enthusiastic, hard working teachers are sharing their love of music with children and enabling them to become independent musicians. Thousands upon thousands of children are learning to find beauty in the world and creativity in their lives. Reading and math skills are being improved because of exposure to the world of music. Thank God for Texas music teachers. In these troubled times, they are facing budget cuts and even job cuts. They will persevere and find ways to provide music education - because it is their passion!

Admiral Chorale 2010 - 2011

 
 
 
 
I remember these kids...... still going strong. Mrs. Lollar is very proud of each of you.

SUMMER VACATION

Ah......... the best three months to be a teacher.....JUNE, JULY, AUGUST!!!!

STARS IN THE MAKING

Today I received a surprised visit by one of "Mrs. Lollar's Exes." Adam Nunley, Admiral Choir President 2003, is on his way to Nashville. His education in music business has landed him an internship for Warner Brothers Records. He thanked me over and over again for the start I gave him in music. A few days ago, Admiral Choir President 2005, Bryan Foreman, came for a visit. With his Friends University senior voice recital DVD in hand, he thanked me for teaching him solfege. He said that he was the best sightreader in his college choir. He returns to Kansas this fall to student teach. He will become a music educator. 2001 Admiral Choir President, Michael Sumuel, never fails to contact me on my birthday. Michael has earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in opera. He is currently working for the Houston Grand Opera in the young artist's division. I'll never forget his solo in my TMEA concert in Lila Cockrell Theater in San Antonio. Michael was a little 9th grade boy who walked up to the microphone and brought the house down. He is still bringing down the house. I am proud beyond words of these fine young men and treasure my memories of working with them during the adolescence. You never know when a little face in your choir is a star in the making.

POP SHOW PICS

 
 
 
 

JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL....

How many more silly things can these kids come up with? What 12 year old boy even wants to floss his teeth.....much less do it at school! Today was locker clean out day for my 7th grade boys class. They brought all kinds of treasures back to the choir room. There were tennis balls (great for throwing against the wall), rubber bands (just perfect for smacking your neighbor), but I've never even imagined a middleschooler keeping dental floss in his locker. Thank you, Blake, for making me smile. I'm sure your dentist is smiling too!

CHOREOGRAPHY

There is a reason why I save choreography for the end of school!! It takes all the patience that I have to get everyone doing the same thing at the same time. I used to choreograph the pop show myself...... since I only had a handful of moves, all the songs seemed to look alike. We named my work "Lollar-ography." Now my kids are so talented that I can always find a real choreographer or two in the group. They are amazing. So much for "Lollar-ography!"