Dear Friends and Family: Merry Christmas!
Once again, in the ancient tradition of communicating with people you haven't heard from since last year (and some you speak to too often :-), I thought it was about time to write a Christmas letter to keep all of you informed. All those interested may read below. Those who aren't interested are asked to keep their Ba Humbugs to a minimum while they calmly delete this message.
New Job
Didn't I have a heading like that last year? Oh right; I did. This time I'm a middle school choir teacher at Lake Forest Elementary. As I often say, it's a great job and I'm learning a lot. One of the greatest parts of this job is having the opportunity to work with a partner teacher, Katie Wagner, for almost the whole day. Katie is a great teacher with long-lasting patience; just what those whiley middle-schoolers need! I hope to be leaving a [positive] lasting impression on my students, but I'm also looking forward to the coming year when I will be searching for a high school choral position.
Handel's Messiah
For those of you who haven't heard, I recently lead a community-wide production of Handel's Messiah (the Christmas portion). Many people pitched in to help and it went of better than I could have ever hoped! The community choir, dubbed the "Marion County Chamber Choir", came from more than 15 different churches and worked for three months and gave it their very best effort. Over 200 packed the church for the first performance, and the second was almost as well attended as the first. My brother, Greg, also chipped in and produced a high quality recording (both CD and DVD). It was my first time to direct a choir for an entire concert, and it was Greg's first time to be in charge of recording one. Many could be seen crying at the performance; personally, I cried when I saw the recording. I've got a lot to improve in my conducting ability! :-)
Lee University Songbook
A group of students at Lee and I are working together to produce and publish a songbook that accurately records Lee's Musical history and fosters new songs about Lee. It's pretty exciting, and it's already underway. It's going to be cloth-hardbound, and quite professionally done. Actually, I'm just excited that something this cool is happening. If you're interested, you can check out our website (which will soon change locations) at hiex.info.
Master's Degree
Due to the new job a Lake Forest Middle School, I'm putting school a little further down the totem pole. I fully intend to finish, but I think it's going to happen mainly during the coming summers.
A Sentimental Note
I am thankful to God for His Love and Mercy. As I look at this year, I'm surprised at what things God has placed before me and then brought me through. It's crazy to think how much He puts up with and exactly how much He loves us. I pray that our knowledge of God would grow more full and deep.
God Bless! I hope your Christmas was Merry and your New Year is filled with great opportunity!
Yours,
Jason
PS- If you have a Facebook, Plaxo, or Twitter account, look me up!
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Jason Scott Vawter
Assistant Choral Director-Lake Forest MS
Choir Director-McKendree UMC
Cell 256.585.4257
