MS Choir - AMIS Festival in Jakata by Ms. Nightingale

Over Easter, I had the pleasure of accompanying eight girls from 6th to 8th grade to participate in the AMIS festival in Jakarta. Ms. Bechdoldt uploaded the music to mydragonnet several weeks before the festival and the girls learned it independently, then rehearsed with Ms. Bechdoldt on Good Friday as well as the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, before we took off. My daughter Rachel and I helped with the section practices - all nine songs were very challenging and the girls did a wonderful job!



The girls enjoyed their homestays with families from Jakarta International School. Rehearsals began at 7:15 am the first two days, and every day we were there, the girls amazed me by their ability to focus, and sing almost all day, with very short breaks. We were also treated to a gamelan performance by 2nd grade students and a Balinese dancing performance. The girls also enjoyed a middle school dance. 78 girls from international schools all over Asia participated in the festival, and the concert was magnificent.



Audrey C earned a special honor by being chosen to sing the only solo in the concert. The audition process was more grueling than American Idol. A line of about 30 singers was slowly whittled down to just two, and then the guest director and the teachers agreed that Audrey would be the soloist. Congratulations, Audrey!



Andrea H summed her experience afterwards: The honor choir was a great experience because I got to make a bunch of friends as well as becoming a better singer.

The AMIS festival was a wonderful, fun challenge for our talented singers, and I’m sure they will never forget it!

Ms C. Nightingale