My New Endevor

This article came out in the newspaper last Thursday. It made the front page!!! I asked the editor if he would do an article on the choir I started a month ago. I'm happy that they actually did it, although I think the writing and editing could have been better. They didn't even mention the name of the choir, Upbeat Music Company. But then, I'm not complaining.

Filling the Musical Void

Written by Lacey Storer/Special to The Kearney Courier

Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:00

The sounds of children singing filled the Knights of Columbus building recently when a group of seven children did vocal warm-ups, practicing their scales and exercising their diaphragms, before learning their songs.

The children are the first group of students in Brenda Simmons’ children’s choir class. The class meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Knights hall.

The motivation for starting the class came from Simmons’ daughter, Jillian, 8, who told her mom she wanted to sing. Simmons began looking for a choir class for Jillian but quickly discovered there wasn’t anything like that available in the area. Although Kearney has plenty of opportunities for children to participate in sports, it wasn’t the same for music.

“I couldn’t find anything. The closest thing I could find were summer programs in Gladstone and the like,” she said. “I thought, ‘I have a decent background music,’ so I thought ‘Why don’t I start something like that myself?’”

Anna Faltermeier/The Kearney Courier — Jillian Simmons, 8, left, and Mae Chaney, 8, both of Kearney, practice a song during Brenda Simmons’ chorus class Sept. 10 at the Knights of Columbus hall in Kearney. Jillian mother, Brenda, teaches the class.

Simmons has been in youth and adult choirs and is currently the children’s choir director at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The choir class is an endeavor that not only gives her daughter the musical experience she wants, but helps other children in the community as well.

Anna Faltermeier/The Kearney Courier — Brenda Simmons conducts a children’s choir class Sept. 10 at the Knights of Columbus hall in Kearney. Simmons formed the class recently.

For Ali Ellefsen, the class was a much-needed activity. Her son, Brevan, is almost 11 and on the autism spectrum. Sports require coordination he lacks, but he does well with music, Ellefsen said. The class will give him a musical outlet and will help him to develop myriad social skills.

“I think that he’ll be able to kind of show his personality more, get more confidence, (gain experience with) public speaking, things like that,” she said. “… I know it’s been hard for him being in more of an area that’s so dedicated to sporting things … I think it’s good for him to find an are where he can excel.”

Melinda Haney, whose daughter Ayriana, 7, is in the class, said she liked that Simmons is teaching not just words to songs, but also how to sing the songs, focusing on using the proper vocal techniques.

“To me, that stuff is the most important,” she said. “I’m really glad (the children) enjoyed singing and had a great time, but I want them to learn how to do it.”

Both mothers also appreciated the performance aspect. Simmons plans on having several performances throughout the year, beginning with the Halloween Hallows on Saturday, Oct. 10.

“The whole point of the choir is to perform, because I think there is great value for performing, not only to the perform but also those who are listening,” she said. “That’s my whole goal, so in order to accomplish that ... the learning that we will do will be based on what we will be performing.”

Those interested in signing their children up for the class can call Simmons at 903-5444 or e-mail her at brenda_tsimmons@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The cost is $30 per month.

I am a Potter-phile

Hello. My name is Brenda Simmons and I am a Potter-phile.

I think the first step to conquer addiction is admission, right? So there it is. I am addicted to reading Harry Potter. :)

I love to read. When I don't have a book to read I feel partly lost. I would much rather read a book than watch t.v. However, I have a really hard time controlling myself when I'm mid-book. I hate putting it down to the point where everything around me is neglected: husband, children, house, work, etc. Pretty pathetic. Usually the book only takes me a day or two to finish so it doesn't really upset my life too much. This was not the case with my recent bout of book immersion.

Last weekend I finished the Harry Potter series. It took me six weeks to read all seven books. While one may be impressed, given the length of each book, it is not something I am particularly proud of. Granted, the books are really great and I was so amazed at J.K. Rowling's creativity. But I became so engrossed in the story-line that I even dreamed about possible endings to the books. I was reading so quickly that my eye muscles even hurt!! It was nuts. Brad has dubbed me a "Potter-phile" because of my obsession over the books. It's a fitting name I suppose. Last Sunday I stayed up until 5:30 am so that I could finish the last book. I really did try to stop, but I was so into the story that I couldn't stop thinking about it long enough to get to sleep so I figured I had better just get it done. Of course, when I finished it I slept just fine! However, two hours of sleep does not make for a great following day. I think Brad was disgusted with me.

So it got me thinking about what is "real". I realize that for me, reading can be a complete escape of reality. However, too much of this is definitely not a good thing. Last night I went to the Relief Society General Conference meeting. One of the talks spoke of "mind(ing) the gap". In England (how fitting for me that this references England!!) there is a gap that occurs between the platform and the subway. To help people take notice of this, there is a warning of "mind the gap" painted on the ground at the said location. This is likened to the "gaps" in our life; believing versus acting on that belief, etc. The speaker only mentioned this particular "gap" but this was the one that struck me. I know that spending that much time on pleasure-reading is wrong but that didn't make me stop. Definite gap.

My usual defense is to just not read. Then I have tried reading things that won't engross me, like historical books. But, there's only so much I can take of that. My favorite is historical fiction. That was I can justify that I'm learning something while enjoying a story. Really what I need to do is just control myself. I have tried to make reading a "reward" for being good or accomplishing something. But, then I get going I have a hard time putting it down. I really wish I could read the scriptures with the same intensity. That just has never happened for me.

Well, at least I've got the first step down. Eleven more....

Sunday Afternoon Thought

I really enjoyed testimony meeting today, but then I usually do. Our bishop got up and said something that really struck me. I have probably heard it before but it really made me ponder. He said, "we should pray as if everything depends on the Lord and then act as if everything depends on us". Pretty cool. I have always believed that our actions play such an important role in the fulfillment of our prayers; if we aren't willing to work for what we want, why would God just give it to us? I have found in my life that the more sincere I am and the more I need something the more I am willing to work for it.

Case in point. This last week Jillian came home from school all excited because they got the notice about Homecoming week. For each day the kids get to dress up funky. One of the days is a "twins" day, where you and a friend are supposed to wear the same outfit. She and her friend, Emily, wanted to actually go out and buy something the same. I told her that if she wanted to do that then she would have to buy it herself. Neither of them had any money so they made a plan to get up Saturday morning and do yard work for people around the neighborhood. They ended up making $10 each!! Emily's mom took them to the store where they chose their outfit, and then she bought them some matching flip flops. Jillian had prayed the night before that she would be able to make enough money for this and then she did her best to make it come true. It was simply awesome! We were all proud of the girls for working so hard.