By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
It was 2:26 p.m. on a Tuesday.
The school buzzer sounded, signaling the start of the day’s final classroom period at Mahomet-Seymour High School.
Chorus instructor Jill Rinkel had just returned to the building after spending the previous hour teaching at the junior high school.
The school year is in its final weeks. Rinkel will soon complete her 37th year as an educator, the last 34 at M-S.
Her final-hour class, treble choir, is her smallest of the day. Fifteen girls are enrolled. Thirteen were present on Tuesday.
There was no difference in the teacher the students faced on this day from what those in her first-hour class saw. Her energy level hadn’t waned.
“I know they deserve the best, too,” Rinkel said. “I try to do the same things with each group.”
Just like an athletic team, which starts its practices with a series of stretches, Rinkel begins the class period with a few exercises.
“Ladies, standing,” she said.
She doesn’t have to ask twice.
As the stretches start, she speaks.
“Get rid of your cares. Get all of that tension out.”
And then.
“Neck rolls. 1-2-3-4. 1-2-3-4. 1-2-3-4.
“Great.”
The veteran teacher, who is retiring when the school year ends on May 25, believes the start of class is an important prelude for what will follow.
“You sing with your whole body,” she explained. “Some exercises are extending their range, going from their head voice to their chest voice.
“There is technique to give yourself the best chance to make the best possible sound. In that way, it is like a sport.”
The altos are on one side of the room. The sopranos are on the other.
As the group prepares to start the first number, Rinkel offers a reminder.
“Good posture. Feet apart. Feeling really tall,” she said.
A few minutes later, she provides feedback.
“Beautiful,” she said. “Come sit down.”
Chorus is not all about singing. Rinkel leads a discussion about the musical Les Miserables.
She asks the students, “What is the most important song of the musical?”
Before she hears any voices, she lets the class know there’s not a wrong answer.
“They’re all important,” Rinkel said. “They all tell the story.”
She calls on Charlotte. Then Megan.
Others offer their opinions.
The teacher is not surprised by the different responses.
“A lot of people think we just sing,” Rinkel said. “Not exactly.
“I want to make kids aware of where we’re at, make them smart singers and give them confidence.
“I want them to love music and to encourage their own children to do music or someday be part of a community choir.”
Unlike a sports team, where they are regulars and reserves, Rinkel said the beauty of music performance is “every single student is a starting player. It’s not like they are training to get in.”
Her approach works.
The students say so.
“She is so involved with her students,” junior Alexa Schaefer said. “She loves music and instills that in her students.
“I love her so much. She’s my favorite. She’ll definitely be one I will remember (in the future).”
When the class returns to singing, Rinkel makes her expectations clear.
“I want to do it one time,” she said. “Can we do it one time, and do it well?”
Even with multiple voices sounding in unison, Rinkel doesn’t miss a chance for teaching moments.
“Good posture. Hands at your side. Eyes here. Not anyplace else,” she instructed.
As one number is being choreographed, she emphasizes the importance of detail.
“When you bow,” Rinkel said, “keep your chin up so your voice goes out.”
Some yearly traditions are ones from which she would not deviate.
At the first concert of each school year, Rinkel insists on the students doing a song in Latin.
She also introduces music history, music theory, reading music and ear training throughout the year.
This day is devoted to preparing for the upcoming Pops Concert.
“We still have more time (to prepare),” Rinkel said, “but there’s never enough time.”
At 3:12 p.m., the end-of-the-day buzzer sounds.
Rinkel retreats to the office she shares with Nicole Kuglich, who will be her replacement as choral director when the next school year starts.
Though her day was one with few breaks, Rinkel makes time to speak to a reporter.
The occasional interruption was not considered an intrusion.
One student makes her daily appearance to sing a line from a song. On this day, it was from, “My Bonnie lies over the ocean.”
Rinkel was appreciative and took note of the girl’s extra effort.
“You added choreography, too,” she said, a smile filling her face.
These are the things she will miss. The students. The interactions. The unexpected moments.
“I still have a folder of songs I want to do that won’t get done,” she said.
Rinkel’s days as a faculty member at M-S are numbered, but she hasn’t been dwelling on the final milestones as they occur.
“I’m probably in denial,” she said. “I haven’t thought every time I do something, ‘it’s my last time.’
“I know it’s happening, but I haven’t allowed myself to think about it.
“I don’t know that I’ve changed anything. I put the same amount of energy into choosing songs.”
She knows there will be more changes next year than just a new person in charge of the music department.
“The Chamber Choir uniforms are pretty old,” she said. “Next year, the girls will be getting nice dresses.”
Once Rinkel’s retirement becomes reality, she won’t be wondering what to do.
In June, she and her husband, Steve, will head out for a Florida vacation.
“We used to go every year, but we haven’t gone in about five years,” she said. “I’m a beach person.
“It is totally relaxing to hear the waves of the ocean at night or walk the beach in the morning.”
She will also return to giving private voice and piano lessons at her home. Four students have already signed up.
“I can’t be away from music,” Rinkel said. “I get excited when we do music. I hope to get more involved at church with music and I’m excited to be able to decide what I want to do when I want to do it.”
She doesn’t expect to feel totally retired for a few more months.
“It’ll hit me when school starts and I’m not here next year,” Rinkel said.
