Primary Choristering: Then and Now

My computer is telling me that "choristering" is not a word.  Neither is "choristing."  I'm using it anyway.

There in itself is a lesson in the difference between being a Primary Chorister NOW, and being a Primary Chorister THEN:  back in the dark ages (15+ years ago).  The pre-internet age.  (And pre-auto-spell-check days.)

Back in 1995, IF the internet was around, it wasn't around me.  

(I remember Bill telling me how I would love, LOVE, LOVE the internet.  He would fire up the computer -- it took a good 5+ minutes just to get a screen up -- then he would "try" to connect.  After 10 to 20 minutes of waiting, I would tell him I didn't need it, and it certainly wasn't worth waiting so gosh darn long for.)

I would spend hours preparing for Singing Time.  Perusing the nearest Deseret Book for the latest oh-so-cute clipart book.  Driving to Kinko's to make copies.  Coloring.  Cutting.  Creating.  Carefully using and re-using my Gospel Art Kit, since laminating all those pictures was completely out of the question.  Anxiously awaiting the next Stake meeting where I could glean ideas from other Primary choristers.  Because I was working with a less-confident pianist, she had requested that I get the songs to her by Thursday of each week, so she could be prepared.  I would make a plan for Singing Time, and walk it over to her house every Thursday, my kids in tow.

Goodness, how things have changed.

I've STILL spent hours the past couple of weeks preparing.  I've met with the last 2 choristers in our ward, accumulating information and ideas, taking whatever visuals they would offer (I'm all for re-using and re-purposing), and trying to discern expectations.  I've spent a good chunk of time perusing the internet, discovering that there is a plethora of bloggers out there willing to share their creative ideas and weekly Singing Time plans.  Music and visual resources are easily accessible on the church website.  

There's so much information, it's a bit overwhelming.

I have decided a few things in the two short weeks I've been engaged in Choristering in Primary:

It's really about singing.  

It doesn't need to be over-complicated, ultra-entertaining, or extravagant.  

(Or intimidating, stressful, and reflective of my creative inabilities.)

(Back in the old days of mid-week Primary, circa 1978.)

After Primary today, as children were leaving and I was gathering my things, a visiting boy approached me and said, "You are a really good Primary chorister."  It threw me off a little... since when do children say things like that to adults?  I thanked him for saying so, and told Bill about it after church.  

"An answer to your prayers," was his response.
  

"I haven't been praying for acknowledgement or validation," I thought.  But in a way, he's right.  I want to teach in a way that will be effective in sharing the meaning of the words, the spirit of the music, and feelings that come through learning and singing songs of the Gospel.  Even tricky songs, like Praise to the Man.  With just a little attention-grabbing entertainment thrown in.  

I know I'm gonna like it here.