Wednesday, December 14, 2005

The Christmas Concert

Today I had to take my class to the school Christmas concert. Trust me. The cute Christmas card I got in my mailbox from the principal was NOT sufficient payback for this. Maybe if there had been money inside.

The problem is that my school does not DO assembly well. I actually have fond memories of high school Christmas assemblies. We would decorate the gym and the classes would sing 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' competitively. One year my French class had to perform 'The First Noel' in French. The whole thing was, as far as I'm concerned, teetering on the brink of public-school propriety, but it was fun. (The Balabusta has less fond memories of an elementary school she attended, where they had an overtly religious, over-the-top play.)

The school I teach at's Christmas concert isn't fun. There's no welcome, no lights, no decorations, no NOTHIN' except being marched out of class and down to the multipurpose room (triples as lunchroom, gym and auditorium) to sit in darkness and listen to the school band play a medley of carols. Fun, fun, fun. 'Jingle Bells', 'Adeste Fideles', 'Good King Wenceslaus', etc. A few band pieces I didn't recognize. Forty-five minutes.

The whole thing wrapped up with a 'sing-along Christmas Pops' thing, consisting of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town', 'Silver Bells', 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'. The music was fine, the sing-along flopped. First, I do not think they made it real clear to the kids that they were supposed to sing. Second, no one knew the words. You know how many twelve-year-olds know the lyrics to 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'? The Balabusta doesn't. She was hopelessly murmuring 'From now on, our troubles...eh, whatever.'

Like I said. Not fun.

I've been avoiding the Christmas cheer at the school anyway. I did not sign up for a Secret Santa. I did not show up for the Cookie Exchange.

It's dark, and cold, and I can't wait for it to be Friday at 2:55 PM, because that means we're on break.

2 comments:

Eliyahu said...

still readin' your posts, and check'em twice, 'cause they sure are nice!

Barefoot Jewess said...

I recall when I was not picked to be an angel in the choir at my elementary school. Did I not sit straight enough??? (Now, of course, I know that there were favourites.)

Any celebration that is no fun, is.....well, no fun! Bummer for you. Since this season comes upon us every year, I think it would really help that it be joyous. Sounds like not much imagination there.I feel for you.

Oh and, ditto, eliyahu's post.

Wishing you some great fun on Hannukah!