I'd like to start by introducing myself. My name is Mandee Kate Morrow and I'm your '08/'09 Publicity and Concert Manager of PSB Choirs. I'm the one running around rehearsal taking pictures, and also the one before the concerts who is trying to make sure everything runs the way that it should. I try to post the pictures that I take in a timely manner, but it doesn't always go as expected :).
Evan and I have agreed to start this choir blog, and we are so pumped about it. We are more excited than anything else to have the opportunity of showing you what choral activities are like through our eyes, and the eyes of our classmates.
I just want to explain that the Choirs at Penn State Behrend are unlike any other choirs that I've ever participated in before. Under the direction of Dr. D. Jason Bishop, our choir unifies as more than just a class, more than just a choir, or a group of individuals. Our choir has developed into a community and a "surrogate family" environment. Our programs foster special values and gestures that I have rarely seen anywhere else. We value each other as friends and family. We welcome constructive criticism, and even raise our hands to take blame for a flat, sharp, or just dead wrong note.
That last comment is a phenomenon that continues to shock and amaze me about our choir. Living in a world where people are so quick to choose scapegoats and place blame on others, it is refreshing to see and be a part of a group of students who take pride not only in their accomplishments, but also in their faults - and are so willing to take the initiative to improve.
Fall semester had brought so many complications and obstacles that had sometimes blinded us from seeing the light of our potential; yet, with Dr. B's help, hope, and guidance - and our own willingness and dedication, we broke down those barriers. This semester is no different - as every semester shall reveal. We take the time to realize our flaws, and we work hard to eliminate them and any other barriers that might hinder us from achieving greatness.
In this choir, you have to want it - even when you can't understand what it is that you want...and you can never walk away from a rehearsal thinking "that went well," because the only way to reach and surpass your own expectations, is to understand that there will always be room for improvement.
