For me, getting ready for the competition is a year-'round effort studying and selecting music, making teaching tapes for the chorus, bringing in outside coaches and starting rehearsals.

I think the youth trend is because of the social angle - the rehearsals, the trips out to our public performances.

So they're going to put forth their best effort to win this competition.

In the strongest school districts there is stiff competition for teaching positions. Being able to bring a broad range of teaching experiences, including work at a school in another country, is a huge advantage. Not to mention, the broader the experiences he or she has, the more dynamic, interesting and fun his or her classroom is going to be.

If you're not gonna go all the way, why go at all?

Not a bad effort for our first day of competition.