Judson College :: Choir, FAITH, Ensemble

Imagine yourself

standing in the spotlight with 30 other girls

some wearing red, some wearing black.

The lights are so bright all you can see is a dark room for an audience,

even though you know the seats are filled.

You look to the center of the stage and see your director smiling at you.  "Are you ready?" her face seems to say.  You smile in return, knowing you're as ready as you'll ever be.  One note is played from the Hamburg Steinway piano, and you listen carefully as it sings through the auditorium.  Suddenly, you're following the lead of the conductor, singing through a 4 part voice piece, just as you've rehearsed.  Note by note, word by word, the sounds echo through the auditorium known for its wonderful acoustics.  The song ends, the crowd applauses, the director smiles the biggest smile you've seen, and you think, "we did it!"

After the applause, she motions for you and the other FAITH members to come forward.  The butterflies in your stomach flutter about as they realize what you're about to do.  The handbell ensemble begins to play, and you begin to sing once more, only this time from memory. Strangely, the butterflies calm as you continue to sing.  You make your way into your very own voice part and hear the harmony between your voice and the other parts.  You sing a few more songs, and return to your place with the choir to finsh the concert.  The concert closes with a standing ovation, and you breathe a sigh of relief as you exit off the stage.

"You may be thinking, "I love singing, but I can't sing like that!"

Almost 2 years ago, I sat in Judson's chapel and listened to FAITH perform for Scholarship Day.  I knew I wanted to be a part of this group, but I couldn't help but think - "I could never sing like...that!" Several rehearsals and a few performances later, Dr. Ransom (our choir director) has proven to me and many other girls that we really can sing anything we put our minds to.

Two years ago, I doubted my abilities.

Now, as a member of choir and FAITH, I am learning how to use them.  I am so thankful for a music program that has allowed me to grow in my musical talents!  Whether you are a music major or minor, or just need a break from your other classes, Judson's music department has a place for you too!

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Psalm 100:1-2

A big smile spreads across my face as I walk down the aisle.  “It’s finally here.”  I say to myself.  I am gracefully escorted to the stage of the Alumnae Auditorium where I am recognized as the Jr/Soph Virtue of Kindness.

I can only imagine you saying “Okay Brittany, I’ve gone from thinking you were getting married to complete confusion – what is a Virtue?  That just sounds weird.”

Similar to a homecoming court, girls in the jr/soph class vote for fellow jr/sophs and freshmen to represent the two classes on the night of Pageant.  Seven girls from each class are chosen to represent the virtues – kindness, generosity, honesty, patience, faith, love, and overall.  This tradition is designed to represent unity between the two classes.

Okay, now back to the story…

After finishing the virtue ceremony, I head backstage with my classmates.  It seems like it wasn’t that long ago when I was sitting in the audience as a freshman, slightly confused by this thing called “Pageant,” and now here I am, amazed at how far our class has come.  I begin to change my makeup from Virtue Princess to the Maude Mouse look.  Brown tights?  Check.  Mouse ears?  Check.  Pink nose?  Of Course!  I observe my reflection in the mirror and giggle to myself.  Who would have thought my second year in college would include a pink nose and mouse ears.

Our time finally comes to head on stage, and after a few minutes in the spotlight, many laughs from the audience, and a bit of singing, we head offstage.  After a few more scenes, we all hurry to the stage for the curtain call.  Would you listen to that applause…I smile at my classmates as we take turns bowing.  After a thank you to our sponsors and a few more applauses and thanks, our class heads to the front of the stage to stand in front of our big sister class.  I try to find my big sister through the stage lights shining in my eyes.  “There she is!”

“I can’t believe it, conceive it is it true, could it be I’m dreaming?”  The theme song for our production, “Tiny Thumbelina” echoes through the auditorium as we sing to our big sisters.  Our Big Sister song follows to the tune of “You Raise Me Up,” and they follow with their little sister song, “Two is Better than one – Judson’s version.”  After we finished our songs, I hurry over to Jewett with my class to find my place in the receiving line at the reception.

We did it! Those three words echo through my mind as I return to my room for the night.  From the outside looking in, Pageant may seem like a stressful time stealer, and to be honest, it did feel like that occasionally.  Looking back, I am so thankful for a tradition that allowed our class to bond like nothing else could.  I got to know girls in my class I never really talked to before those late night Pageant Practices in Tucker.  I’m so thankful for this tradition, not only as a gift to our big sister class, but also to pull together as a class and work toward the same goal. 

After countless nights of practice, forgetting lines, learning to make every moment count, and one production; I have to say,

I am so glad I’m a Judson girl!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

– 2 Timothy 4:7

“Apart from God, every activity is merely a passing whiff of insignificance”

– Alfred North Whitehead

2:45 AM

I moan to myself as I crawl into my bed.  Only 2 more days until Pageant, then I can catch up on all this sleep, I tell myself.  I groan as the thought of a Spanish test in 6 hours haunts my mind once more.  My desire to do well in classes has me slightly concerned as I remind myself I have not studied for this test . . . okay, minor meltdown is more like it.  “It’s 3 in the morning, I have a test at 9, and I do NOT feel ready!”  I sink under my covers at that last thought and proceed to set my alarm . . . I can hardly keep my eyes open long enough to realize how soon 7:45 will come.

8:05 AM

“Oh man, it’s 8:05,” my roommate calls me out of my sleepy slumber.  Is it that time already?  I didn’t even hear my alarm . . . I hurry to the shower and try to wake myself up in the process.  My energizing citrus body wash does nothing to wake me up . . . false advertising once again. Well, at least I’ll smell good.  I run over Spanish vocabulary in my head as I style my hair. “comprar – to buy…that makes sense.  Ayudar – to help… uhhh-no.”  My roommate beats me getting ready, as always, and starts calling out words and phrases from the book.  Oh what I would give to postpone this test…

8:45 AM

“Brittle, are you ready?  It’s 8:45.”  Sure . . . I say to myself.  Who needs makeup anyway?  We grab our books and head downstairs to meet our carpool buddies.

8:55 AM

We make it to Spanish class with 5 minutes to spare. I run the material through my head once more.  “It is what it is,” I finally resolve.  Mrs. Castro hands out the tests, and I begin…

The bottom line.

I’m sure you’re all eager to find out how this story ends, or waiting to hear a miracle formula called “how to survive a test without studying”.  While I can assure you there is no formula, and this is not the prime example of a good student, I believe unpreparedness happens to everyone at some point.  We have all had those moments when we don’t feel prepared for a test or exam, and have to take it anyway.  Thankfully, in my case, daily work paid off and I was more prepared than I realized. I made it through the test beginning to end, and felt pretty confident with my answers as I turned in my test.

Throughout pageant, there have been many times I have wondered how in the world I would get everything done, from learning my lines to schoolwork and everything in between.  Speaking from the side of the person learning rather than demonstrating at this point, I believe pageant teaches time management very well.  I have learned how to make the most of every minute, from tracing and cutting out letters while waiting on class to start, or taking forms to the business office (as part of my Jr/Soph Treasurer responsibilities) during a 15-minute break between two of my classes.  While Pageant has been stressful, it has also been so much fun, and I’m sad to see it draw to a close.  I have had the chance to get to know others in my class better as part of this tradition, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to spend time with my class.  I can’t wait for our last 2 practices, and I know the performance will be spectacular. 

I can’t wait!!

“Through every practice, through every laugh, and through every late night, we have all come to respect the sisters who have once stood where we stand now.”  

                                                                            -  Brittany Duke, Jr/Soph Class President 

“Well, ladies, after my evaluation, I can see that you are receiving quality instruction from very competent professors.”

There is nothing quite like affirmation that you’re really in the right place.

Last week, our music faculty had a consultant come in to evaluate the music department to prepare for the reaccreditation process.  Our consultant for this portion of the process was Dr. Price (the consultant, not the math professor!).  Dr. Price came to our campus Tuesday just in time for choir, and sat in on part of our rehearsal.  He stayed until Thursday evening in order to sit in on each music class.  In each class, his objective was to blend into the background as much as possible, and note any ways to make our classes even better.  In between classes, he talked with each of the professors individually, evaluated practice rooms and conditions, and looked for possible improvements in every area imaginable.  The last day he was here, he spoke with Music Education, Music majors and minors to get our perspective as well.  It was definitely a busy week!

It is so great to know our school cares about our opinions and making classes as beneficial as possible.

While I was familiar with the term, the accreditation process and benefits was not something I was very familiar with before I came to Judson.  I did not realize how much of an impact attending an accredited school could have on my education quality and professional future!

Here are some quick facts about the process and the benefits of choosing an accredited college:

The Process:

·         In the United States, accreditation is an optional process.  This means that not every college is accredited or up to the standards required for accreditation.

·   After receiving accreditation, the institution agrees to periodical reviews (this ensures that accreditation standards are continually met)

·   During the accreditation and renewal process, the college must demonstrate the level of quality in the areas under review (This includes lots of paperwork, I am told, as well as classroom observation by the visiting team).  This information is taken to people “higher up” who determine if the school’s materials meet the required standards.

The Benefits:

·   Quality Education:  Because of the accreditation process, students and their families can trust that the education they receive and pay for is valuable and worth their time, money, and effort.

  Financial Aid Opportunities: Students are only able to obtain federal financial assistance if the institution they are attending has achieved appropriate accreditation status from an accreditation organization recognized by the USDE.

·  Credit Transfer:  Accreditation is an important factor when a college or university is deciding whether to accept transfer credit from a student's previous school.  Most colleges and universities will not accept transferred course credits from an institution that has not earned appropriate accreditation status from an accreditation organization.

·  Success in the workplace: Most employers prefer to hire job applicants who have gained their education from a college or university with the appropriate accreditation status:

Western Association of Schools and Colleges defines accreditation as:

“Accreditation . . . aids institutions in developing and sustaining effective educational programs and assures the educational community, the general public, and other organizations that an accredited institution has met high standards of quality and effectiveness.”

I hope this information helps you see how important it is to choose an accredited college!  Thankfully, Judson’s faculty realizes the importance of this - not only for our music program, but also for every other major as well, and has been accredited for a very long time.  If you would like to know more about Judson’s accreditation, check this link out!

Thanks to WorldWideLearn for providing information and details on the accreditation process.