OUT WITH THE OLD—IN WITH THE NEW

The clock tolls midnight.

It was bound to

happen sometime.

Yes, I am released from my calling as the

Primary Music Leader

in our ward—or at least I will be officially released this coming Sunday.

SIGH!!!

I have known that I was going to be released since after our Primary program, and yes, I bawled and bawled when I first found out. You know, I thought I would be ready for it when it finally came, but I was quite surprised at how much I wasn't when it hit me that I wouldn't be teaching and singing with these kids anymore. I have grown quite attached to them over the years. It has been hard these past couple of months knowing my end was near and not saying anything and pretending with the children that everything was normal. But, maybe it was good too since it allowed it to sink in for me and get me use to the upcoming change. As hard and time consuming as this calling can be, I have to say, I have reaped many blessings from it and have loved working with my Primary children and have not regretted one moment of this calling.

So now as we leave the old year behind us, so do I take my leave from this calling. The new music leader has so many musical talents she brings with her that I'm sure will be a treat for the children. 

Now, what am I to do with this blog, you may ask?

Well, I still have many things I have done from past years that I have yet to post, so I am still planning on keeping this blog active for now in hopes to get them posted. I have also wanted to post more helpful tips that I have learned over the years that I have never seemed to find time to post with all the current stuff to do for each week, so maybe I'll find some time now to share them.  Also, I had started brain storming and planning for 2013 last fall and had some ideas, so maybe if time permits, I might be able to get some of them posted as well.

I am jealous of you all that get to continue on as music leader. I was so looking forward to this year since my kids knew or were fairly familiar with the songs for the 2013 program, so I was excited at the prospect of having more time to teach some other new songs this year. So, enjoy the year and I hope to still hear from you on how things are going.

Happy singing in 2013!

SUCCESS!!!

YEAH!!! Program day finally came!  It seemed like forever in getting here with all the changes and extra church activities we have had in our ward, but now we are done and I couldn't be more proud of those kids.  They sure sang their little ol' hearts out for me and and, of course, their parents.  Even brought some tears to my eyes as I could feel their sweet spirit in their voices. I was a little nervous on whether it was going to turn out or not after our Saturday practice when things didn't seem to go right, but today was pretty darn perfect. The children's sweet spirit always seem to make the program special no matter what happens. The kids really pulled it out. I'm a toughie and don't use any visual aids or words for the program. Yep, I like them to learn the songs well and they did marvelous! I was unsure if our smaller Primary this year could get the volume to fill the chapel and overflow, but they did it. Yep, I'm as proud as a peacock right now for such wonderful kids. And I'm especially proud of the children I called and challenged to do solos and musical parts; all for the first time too! What a wonderful experience for them and treat for the congregation. It has just been amazing watching these children grow and learn and develop a love for music and these beautiful Primary songs over the few years I've been teaching them. Just thought I'd post a quick update on how our program went.

Oh, yes, can I just share a tidbit that just <<<hugged>>> my heart? I had so many children give me hugs before and after the program. It is moments like these that is just the cherry on top—it makes all the hard work, long hours and gray hairs worth it. Yep, I'm a proud mother hen.  

I had hoped to post some program helps in the previous months, but didn't have any time to do that. Sorry to those of you who emailed me and asked. There is always next year, so I'll try and post some later. 

Now folks, I guess it is time to plan for next year. I will try and post some planning forms and helps that I use to help me.

I would love to see your comments on how your program went. Also, please share anything special that just hugged your heart. You just gotta love those moments!

WHERE AM I?

For those who have been wondering where I am, I'm still here!

(Barely sometimes.)

Yes! I am alive and kicking. 
No! I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Although, at times I have felt like I was about to. The past few months have been a whirlwind of stressful and busy activity with family, extended family, friends and work and I haven't had one moment of breathing time to do much else let alone post the things I had hoped to post during this break from learning new program songs. 

I imagine most of you are done with your programs by now. LUCKY YOU!
I'm sure the programs have been as wonderful as they always seem to somehow turn out with those sweet little spirits and voices—no matter how much might have gone wrong. Alas! I wish I could say mine was done and I could move on to other fun and seasonal songs just for the joy of singing them. Our program should have been done last week, but we had a surprise Stake Conference thrown our way which happened to get scheduled on the day we were to have our program. That caused our program to be bumped for a couple of more weeks. Am not excited about that since that will only leave me ONE Sunday before Thanksgiving to sing autumn and Thanksgiving songs.

SIGH!!!

I'll have to admit also that it has been a bit difficult this year for our Primary to really practice the program songs when it seems we have been only meeting in our ward about every-other week the past two months with a special Priesthood and Relief Society meeting, a stake conference, a temple dedication, General Conference and another last minute special stake conference.  WHEW! Lots of churchy things happening.  I'll secretly admit though, it has been nice to not have to plan singing lessons each week with all these breaks, but on the downside, it is really hard to get the songs fine-tuned when you only get to practice 15-20 minutes every-other week.  It is hard to keep those songs in the kids brains with such big breaks.  Fortunately, I think they are doing pretty well, but I'm a bit more worried on whether we can get the volume we need since our Primary quickly shrunk by half this year with a lot of families moving out and so many of our older children graduating from Primary. It is soooooo hard to see them grow up and leave, especially when you have been with them for a few years. It feels like when your own kids start leaving the nest. 

SOB!!!

For those of you who have emailed me wondering if I am still going to post, I most certainly am still planning on it. I really have missed posting. I love connecting with all of you out there in Primary Singing Land.  I'm going to try and get at least one post done on Saturday, so check back!!!

FELLOW MUSIC LEADER REQUEST

Apparently the Tabernacle Choir is having a "Conduct the Choir" contest on their Facebook page. Sounds like a fantastic opportunity if you are brave enough. Leslee Edwards is one brave soul who has submitted her video. Wouldn't it be cool if a Primary Music Leader could win? Read her info below and click on the Facebook link to check it out. If you vote, don't forget to vote daily.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is having a Facebook contest to win a chance to conduct them!  It's a once in a life time opportunity.  My primary president, and former primary chorister, Becky Sais has submitted a video and we need votes.  I helped shoot and edit the video.  We went down to the beach to conduct the waves!  The sun came out just for us and we even "summoned" 2 humpback whales!  It was amazing.

I was hoping that as primary choristers you might support us by voting.

Click on https://www.facebook.com/MormonTabernacleChoir?sk=app_107727025983833.  It will take you to the MoTab Facebook page.  Scroll down and you'll see videos.  Click on page 2 and look for "Conducting Waves".  Click on the 5th star to give us 5 points.

We need to reach the goal of 200 points each day and we are only getting about 150.  Voting goes for the next 7 days.   

Thank you!

Leslee Edward

(Me again, on a side note, very busy week, so it will be late tonight before I have the chance to post my plans for Sunday, so check back if you are interested.)

A LOT OF TRAFFIC FOR THE CHOOSE THE RIGHT FILES

Apparently, there has been quite a bit of traffic for the "Choose the Right" flip chart and melody map in the past few days that has used a substantial amount of bandwidth that has exceeded my subscription amount for a given day and the links have been temporarily locked out.  WOW!  Too much traffic all at once.   I'm so surprised!!!  Who'd of thunk?  :-)  I have added other links for the files in their respective posts, as well as in this post, that you can use until the original links are back up and running.  Sorry about that, but the volume of traffic was totally unexpected.

"Choose the Right" flip chart
"Choose the Right" melody map
"Choose the Right" melody map pictures (I would suggest to click on the "Download original" button for better resolution instead of printing directly from the first screen.)

P.S.  The kids were really into learning "how to read music" with the melody map today and were picking up the first verse of the song well.  What even surprised me was that the children had pointed out some of the differences from last month's melody map to this one.  See, those kids are pretty smart and have a good memory!

Thanks,
Nalani

HELLO OUT THERE!

 Well, I’m finally taking the blogging plunge.  I’m new at blogging but I thought it was about time I share with others the things I have come up with for LDS Primary Singing Time.  There have been so many wonderful choristers in cyberspace that have influenced me with so many of their great ideas; I guess it is time to give back.  I love being creative and I love making things.  Sometimes I spend a little too much time making things for singing time, but that is a part of the calling I love as much as teaching the children.  I’m hoping that if others can benefit from the work I’ve already done, then maybe I won’t feel so guilty taking the time to make them.  Okay, I really don't feel guilty . . . that much.  Some ideas I’ll share will be my own ideas and creations (or at least I wasn’t aware of someone else with the same idea—if so, oh well, great minds think alike) and some ideas refurbished from others that I’ve put my own twist on.  I’m hoping that between my job, my primary calling, my family and the other zillion things I am involved with, I will be able to find the time to share with you all on a regular basis.  So stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!