Papillion La Vista South Show Choirs

202627 Show Choir Handbook.pdf

202627 Show Choir Handbook.pdf
Size : 288.173 Kb
Type : pdf

Dear Students,

Directors often dread this time of year. Before the list is posted on the choir room door and the emails are sent out, they know that some hearts are about to be broken.

They know the phone calls will begin: “There must be a mistake.” They know puffy-eyed students who feel rejected will come to their door. They know angry emails—sometimes filled with misunderstandings or false assumptions—may arrive within hours. Yes, this is a difficult season for directors.

Today, our hope is to offer some perspective to both students and parents.

Parents, with very few exceptions, students are not excluded from a group because of a personal vendetta. It is “Halley’s Comet rare” for a director to say, “I’ll be darned if that student ever makes my group.” And in the extremely rare case where personality or behavior is a concern, it is typically tied to patterns such as negativity, lack of work ethic, or divisiveness—not personal dislike. But again, this is incredibly uncommon.

When a student is not selected, it is almost always based on audition data or observations from working with that student over time. It may come down to tone, projection, pitch control, or the ability to execute choreography. It may also involve academic considerations and the time demands of the ensemble. There are many factors, and none of them are personal.

Students, one of the reasons directors struggle with posting results is because they care deeply about you. They want every student to feel valued, successful, and appreciated. The last thing they want is to disappoint you—but in a selective audition process, that is sometimes unavoidable.

A few important truths to keep in mind:

Not everyone can be selected; otherwise, some groups would be far too large to function effectively.
“Paying your dues” is not something auditions measure—selection is based on current performance and fit.
Seniority alone cannot determine placement. Growth, readiness, and skill level matter most.

For those who feel disappointed, consider this:

First, every single person excels at something. You have strengths and talents that are uniquely yours.

Second, your worth is not defined by an audition result. You are valuable, important, and meaningful far beyond any ensemble placement.

Third, auditions are a part of life. They prepare you for future opportunities—college, careers, and other competitive experiences.

Finally, setbacks can be powerful motivation. Many students use disappointment as fuel to grow and improve, and that resilience often leads to future success.

Please also remember that this time of year weighs heavily on directors. They lose sleep worrying about disappointing students they care about, managing expectations, and facing criticism from those who may not fully understand the evaluation process. They are doing their best to make thoughtful, fair decisions under challenging circumstances.

My hope is that students and parents alike will recognize that no audition result diminishes a student’s value or potential. And before reacting in frustration, take a moment to consider the care and intention behind these decisions.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who auditioned this year. These decisions are never made lightly. And regardless of the outcome, there is always a place for you within the choir program.

Mr. Johnson, Ms. Solberg, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Dugdale

2026-2027 Show Choirs.pdf

2026-2027 Show Choirs.pdf
Size : 1046.086 Kb
Type : pdf