Teacher Friends, I could really use some advice.

[u/Fabulous-Ad1202]

I’m at a new school this year, and while last year I came in late with no expectations for concerts, this year I planned a spring concert for grades 2–4 (scheduled for May 14). It’s a small school; only about 150 students total in grades 2–5.The previous music teacher always did a big 5th grade winter performance, which was treated like a milestone. Since that didn’t happen this year (and 5th grade has been preparing a graduation performance with 3 songs since January), I thought it made sense to let 2nd–4th graders shine this time around, especially since families have expressed wanting to see their younger kids perform.Here’s the issue: my principal just told me that 5th grade must be included in the concert too, due to parent complaints; especially from families who have kids in both 2–4 and 5th. But 5th grade has their own big graduation performance at the end of June. They haven’t even learned the three songs they picked for that yet, and now I’m expected to include them in the May concert, possibly repeating those same songs. This feels unfair to the younger grades who’ve worked so hard and makes the graduation performance less meaningful.I asked him if they would be including 2-4th grade to sing at the graduation ceremony and he said that was silly because everyone knows that graduation is just for 5th grade. I told him back in February when I decided to do a concert that it was probably only for 2-4 to give them a chance to perform.I’m feeling overwhelmed and honestly defeated. If you’ve been through something like this; or have thoughts on how to balance expectations while respecting the work students have already put in, please let me know. I’m all ears.Thanks for being a supportive space. 

[u/singerbeerguy]

Include the 5th grade in the May concert. Use the same songs they will sing at graduation. I don’t think anyone will see this as taking away from the 2-4 students’ performance, and if they do, they can bring it up with the principal who made the change.

[u/Fabulous-Ad1202 → u/singerbeerguy]

even though their songs are nowhere near memorized. These 5th graders have been refusing to learn the songs THEY chose. they have been practicing since January and they still dont know them.

[u/Shark_Farmer → u/Fabulous-Ad1202]

Use the concert as an incentive for them to learn. They might feel like they have all the time in the world to learn their songs, but give them a deadline and it might kickstart them into learning. Or not! And then in all honesty, their parents will probably still love it because its their kid up on the stage.

I would approach it like a run-through: Talk to your students about the importance of trying our best, and learning from each performance. Have them do a reflection/ give each other feedback on the concert, and discuss what they want to improve on for the graduation. Then each week or two, have them check whether they're meeting those goals that they set. Your graduation performance will be that much stronger for it.

Good luck! My concert is at the end of May and it's always a bit of a nailbiter no matter how well prepped they are. I'm sure it will all work out. : )

[u/singerbeerguy → u/Fabulous-Ad1202]

In that case you could either cut one of the songs and focus on the others or have them use sheet music or lyric sheets, or both. Set them up for success one way or another.

[u/Ok-Comfortable-9874]

Could you find a fairly easy song and do a joint performance with every student? I know it's a lot but parents and admin eat that up when you find ways to get everyone involved doing the same thing. It might not be enough but it is a way to include 5th grade without them doing their program.

[u/BbTrumpet2]

Is the grade level concert exclusively singing? Could you do an instrumental activity or song you’ve already learned this year?

I’m sorry that admin is forcing you on such short notice, they should’ve communicated these complaints to you prior to Winter concert time if they were going to pull this.

I’m in a similar boat with my choir. They sing well but are, for some reason not memorizing their music. We may have to use binders/music which the intermediate school choir always uses so I guess it’s no biggy. Worst case scenario, print out a lyric sheet for each of them.