By Rachel Karns-Gall
Toni Luckett whistles a tune to herself, unaware that anyone is listening. She sits in her office, cheery and blissful.
She had previously taught at Elkton Middle School, as well as in upstate New York. Being new to Prince George High School she hopes her students are getting used to her.
Luckett is the new choir teacher. She hopes to use her personal flare to enhance, not change, the musical department here.
Luckett plans to include structure and respect in her choir, but also wants all of her students to have fun.
“Everyone here is very supportive and encouraging. They want everyone to succeed,” Luckett said.
She has always wanted to teach music, it is her passion. However, when asked if there was any other career she had ever wanted to have, she said she would have been a nurse.
“I love taking care of people,” Luckett said.
She is excited to work with the new talent here, and hopes that the choir does well this year.
“The talent far exceeds my expectations. Everyone is extremely talented. I knew they were good, just not that good,” Luckett said.
Having never gone to a competitive level with a choir, Luckett is ecstatic to see how the students do. She has chosen a variety of songs, ranging from Mozart to Gospel, and even some Jazz. She wants the students to be well versed with different forms of music.
Even with extreme optimism, there is one challenge that Luckett says she faces.
“My challenge is getting to know everyone and understand each other. I want them to know that different is O.K.”
Alex Martinez • Nov 5, 2010 at 7:19 am
I hope that our choir can mantain its level of quality with the new choir teacher. They seem to have a nicely diverse repertoire and I look forward to hearing their performances later in the year. Good luck to the new teacher and the choir this year.
Jamar Johnson • Oct 28, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I had no clue Ms. Woodard left. I had seen a new woman in the door to the choir room but it never dawned on me that Ms. Woodard had left. On a good note, I walked by the choir practicing today and they sounded amazing as usual. Mrs. Luckett must be doing a good job. This is going to be another good year for the choir.
Joi Hamm • Oct 28, 2010 at 5:51 pm
The new choir teacher Mrs.Luckett is a very confident and brings hope to many choir members. Many people thought that since Ms.Woodard left, the choir would never be as good as it was. Mrs.Luckett has brought hope to the choir family and came in with excessive confidence that has rubbed off onto the entire choir family that i am happy to say she now apart of.
Jessica Taylor • Oct 28, 2010 at 5:39 pm
I didn’t even know that there was a new choir director. So this article was very informative. I haven’t been involved in any type of music class since fifth grade. I wish I could sing. Since I can’t, I’ll leave that up to the people in our school who can because there really are some talented people there.
Haseena Abdur-Rahman • Oct 26, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I had just met Mrs.Luckett today and this article is the perfect description of her true personality. She is truely an inspiration. She listens to her student’s issues, opinions, and ideas while responding with useful advice. despite whether you’re a student of hers or not, she treats you with the same respect as she would her own students. I encourage everyone to meet her!
Jill Fairchild • Oct 26, 2010 at 3:28 pm
The choir at my old school never had competitions; or if they did, no one knew about them. After reading this, I would love to see PGHS’s choir in action! I think new people makes things exciting because I like diversity. I’m sure there is something to learn for everyone involved!
Carrie Young • Oct 26, 2010 at 5:20 am
I’m glad this was written about because I wanted to know a little more about the new choir teacher. I know many students loved Ms. Woodard and I was curious when I heard someone new was coming. I’m excited to see them perform with a new director.
Chris Bae • Oct 24, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I wonder how this year will turn out for her. I can only hope for the best for her, seeing how she came from another state and has to adjust to a new society. I am curious as to know how she plans to enhance and not change the department.
Trey Carter • Oct 18, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Being an active member of the Fine Arts Department, I know that PGHS Choirs are one the best components of the department. When the previous choir teacher Ms. Woodard left, many were left skeptical of what the new choir teacher would bring to the table. From personal observation, she has brought her “A” game, and will continue to lead the choir in the right direction, and is working with some of the best choir students in the area.