Mrs. Solverud,
When I was picking classes last year, I almost just took Intro to Art like everyone else because I was so scared that I would be in a class that I hated if I picked choir, and that I would walk in each day to a class full of freshmen that never talked to me. Before I registered, my parents had to be like, “We aren’t letting you do that, you love to sing and choir will be fine” and I am so glad that they convinced me to do it. The class I was the most scared to take instantly became the hour I looked forward to all day.
Choir has been so fun and welcoming, and I have loved the opportunity to sing every day and do it with so many amazing singers and people. I know I’ve only done choir for a year, but I can’t wait to be part of it for the rest of high school. Even on the days we all complain about the little things like having to stand up to sing, imploding, or when we think you take away too many CDs from the solfege thing, I think I speak for all of us when I say that the complaints don’t outweigh how much we love being in choir. Especially with chamber, you definitely push us to do things that we don’t always want to do or think we can do, but you do it in a way that doesn’t make it feel that bad. There’s such a good balance of jokes and unseriousness, but also making genuinely good sound, which is why it makes choir such a fun class.
Such a big part of my enjoyment of choir is what a great teacher you are. You can tell how much you care about all your students, and how much you actually enjoy your job. I’ve never heard a complaint about the way you teach and direct, which says a lot about how great you are at it. Your commitment to us as people and as singers really shows with our success. I’ve learned so much in less than a year, partially from just being surrounded by other people who love singing, but so much from the way that you teach and treat everyone. I’ve never felt like you’re disappointed in the way I’ve performed, even if I’m disappointed in myself. You’re so encouraging and supportive about everything, always finding so many positives to every performance, even if it wasn’t perfect.
I really am so excited to spend the next two years in the choir room with you as my teacher and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the whole choir program! Thank you for being amazing!
-Abby Farnsworth, Staff Photographer
Dear Mrs Solverud,
You are the most extraordinary teacher I have ever had. People may think you only teach us songs and singing related things, but I have learned so much more from you. My favorite memory with you was you announcing my solo in front of the treble choir. The positivity that ran through the atmosphere that day was insane. I still smile whenever I think about that afternoon because I finally felt like I made it. From freshman year inside the heavily filled upperclassmen class to today in chorale and freshman heavy treble choir class, you have taught me how to become who I will continue to be today and I am so incredibly grateful for your encouragement throughout the last 4 years. I am still in awe that you chose me as your silver shield, even if I’ve been your student all 4 years, I’m still surprised you were willing to give me the award which shows so much hardwork and dedication to the program that gives me everything when sometimes I really didn’t have anything to return. I know I complain all the time, but I wouldn’t complain if I didn’t love choir like I do. In the words of the best 2000’s disney show hannah montana, “You can say goodbye, you can say hello, But you can always find your way back home,” I know that my home is with you inside of the choir room, laughing with the people who remind me everyday that I am loved, I am worth it And that no matter where I go, I have a family right around my corner. Mrs Solverud, You may be my teacher but you are also a part of who I am becoming today. Thank you for everything you’ve done for fhc and for me as a student in your classroom. I love you and I promise to continue coming to your concerts.
With love, Dallis Maschmidt
