Thursday, April 17, 2008

Do Re Mi...

I had something totally different in mind for today's Flashback Friday. It involved digging into my box of pictures and scanning in way more than I have time for today. So quick change of plans here.

HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR


Could anything get more dorky than high school choir? Band, maybe. I doubt it. What's even worse...I LOVED it. Some of my very favorite high school memories involve my time in choir. I was in Madrigals...it was our audition only all acapella choir. I never consider my self a good singer. I can stay on tune, but I certainly don't have a good solo or pop voice. (Which is what is really keeping me from auditioning for American Idol.) I do best when I keep it low key and try to blend in. I'm always surprised I made Madrigals. My junior year, even. I suppose that's what makes a good choir...voices that blend rather than a bunch of solo voices. The one thing I do have going for me, however, is that I'm pretty good at reading music. A combination of these things somehow got me into this choir.

My junior year, we were actually pretty good. We traveled to Washington DC for a national competition and took second place to a performing arts school. My brother Mike was in it this year, too. It's always fun for me that we got to share some of these memories. Senior year...not as good. It was all about fun for me that year. I was even voted in as Madrigal President. That's right, leader of the dorks. Could I be any more awesome? Yet, I still loved. I'll share pictures of choir trips for other Flashback Fridays, but today, I'm just introducing you to my choir.

The funny thing was, I never had any intention of being such a dork. Way back in junior high, I started out taking a regular elective and hated it. I had some friends in choir who talked me in to joining for the "easy A." So half way through the year, I became a choir geek. We had one of those incredibly dorky teachers that every junior high kid loved. I laughed at all his lame jokes. I had a good time but still had no intention of pursuing choir. Remember...I didn't think I was any good. One day the high school choir director came to audition the 8th graders for treble ensemble the next year. Erin and Krista talked me into it. Sure. Why not. It got me out of class for a good 15 minutes. The three of us auditioned together. We all made it. The rest is history. Do you remember that Erin?

By the way...These dresses weren't even cool when I wore them. They had these same dresses for I don't know how many years...far too long. No matter how much we tried to talk the choir director out of them, he insisted.

I know I had my occasional breakouts, but I don't really remember being a zit face in high school. So either this was on of those occasional breakouts, or I was a way bigger zit face than I remember.

Junior Year

Senior Year

Just for fun, I thought I'd include one of Spencer's high school choir pictures. That's right, Spencer was a choir geek, too. Our kids are doomed. He's on the left...back row...six people in. I think. My favorite part of this picture is that it says "California Music Fantasy" at the bottom. Hilarious.


I tried to get my choir Cd to play on my blog, but I couldn't figure it out fast enough. Maybe I'll try again this afternoon when I have more time.

14 comments:

jeanine said...

You know, those dresses are way worse than I remember! Wow. They got cute ones after we left... Elise and Rachelle lucked out that they didn't have to wear the parachute.
And I don't know why you are so surprised that you made Mads junior year. I think you're just being modest.

Crystal said...

Well Zac is going to be devistated to think that he was a nerd. He still talks about Madrigals to this day. He loved it! But he definitely doesn't think he was a nerd for doing. Plus, choir is much better than band. At least in Alabama it was. The band kids were the nerds. We had a lot of popular kids in our choir. Then my soccer group who were the coolest. Anyways, your kids will just have good memories too.

Traci Elizabeth said...

For some reason, I just busted up laughing when I saw Joe Paino in the choir picture! I have some fond memories of that kid and his green truck!

Those were fun pics to see...a lot of people I had forgotten about. Don't worry I don't remember youb being, or consider you now, a zit face.

Amanda B. said...

I am a band geek and proud of it! :):)

And your zit face still doesn't compare to mine.....

My best memories are of band as wel!

Autumn said...

Oh my gosh! I love it. I cannot get enough of old pictures. Spencer might not appreciate knowing that his picture was the second happiest moment in my day. You can bet I wouldn't have found him if you didn't point him out. I heard about a madragils group after I graduated from HS if that tells you anything about the extent of our HS's musical abilties. Lovely dresses. Our HS choir boys had to wear cumberbuns. (sp?!) Come on. I know uniforms are expensive but we would have sold candy-or something-for new outfits. I suppose the poor choice in choir outfits is universal.

Kelly said...

What? You didn't love that dress?! It is gorgeous! I think I wore that in pink for a friend's wedding! Hideous! Really, it could've been worse- did you see the post of my friend Renee and I at her wedding? THAT was hideous! I knew you had a terrific voice- you so should be on AI! You really could do it, but you would have to be away from the boys for so long! I would vote for you! I was in the band- concert band, because I cheered during football games, and I was never in choir- I can't sing for anything! It's embarassing, actually, and my poor children...they love to sing...but it is just as bad as their parents! So sad. OH, and it was another reminder of how much older I am than you- thanks a lot!

Valarie said...

Wait...what's wrong with that dress?? I own it in 4 different colors!!

Erin said...

I remeber that 8th grade audition, and my severe jealousy about not making Mads. I guess a girl singing bass didn't fit that group. I did get to sing with 25 guys though!! :) I always wanted to wear that horrid red dress. But since I never made it my parents sent me to new York for a month after graduation to make up for not getting to go on any of the Mad trips like my sisters!

The Cochran Family said...

Wow I think I have the same dress...only green and black. When you get sick of red, I'll let you borrow it. Where do you guys live again? You can email me :) If you are ever on your way to the beach or Sea World, YOU HAVE TO STOP BY! We go to Sea World 1-2 times a month and we get 15% off visitors, so let me know if you ever want to go. You could even spend the night at our house the night before..whatever...we have the space. Was that a traveling thomsas show? I'm sure they loved it...it's totally a guy thing though, although I don't think I would rather be at a Barbie show???

Jenn said...

Those dresses are great! LOL at least it looks like you had a bunch of mormons with you so that always makes it fun. And at least you can sing,,, because I cant sing worth beans.

Hubba's Thoughts said...

Oh Baby, Oh baby!!! Love the red dress!! Ours were black and green and our madrigal dresses were any velvet dress we wanted, it just had to be a dark velvet, mine was a dark blue,green!! Boy, was I a knock out in my choir dress..... Okay, totally kidding. Really, who is ever a knock out in their choir dress (except for you, miss "lady in red"???.. I LOVED choir! I loved it in college too. I miss it so much. When I watch conference I wonder if I will ever be in the MoTab choir.. Wouldn't that be cool.. Ya know I should really get your email so I can continue to ramble that way instead of on your comment board.. Sorry, have a great day! You guys are great!

jeanine said...

We need to plan a time to get together soon!

Unknown said...

OH in band we had to wear ugly 10 year old dresses too, it was horrible. But here's to being in the nerdy group in school. Heck yes. :)

Amanda said...

Katie- I am so glad your brother told me about your blog. You and your family are adorable. I haven't heard of or seen you since I went to your wedding reception at the house in Corona. I have to say, you look adorable in the lovely Madrigals dress :) If anyone could get away with it, it was you.