she formed a schedule for small group meetings around her open times . She started out with 10 students her first year and , with the upcoming incentive of a possible overseas trip , the chorus grew to 54 members--25 % of the total upper school membership . She took her upper school chorus to England twice and kids over there , came here .
While at Waynflete , she did musicals with both middle and upper schools , videotaping rehearsals as a learning tool . The first year , in conjunction with the Drama department and upper school students , she presented Guys and Dolls . The next year it was Little Shop of Horrors . The final year , the choice was Godspell . The middle school also had performances of musicals . Anyone could attend the performance , since school policy was not to charge admission .
Charlotte loved Waynflete , it was her kind of school . She was expected to do a great deal , but so was every teacher there . It was a family with support for and involvement with the students being the most important aspect of the job . In 1992 , she decided that the energy that was so much a part of her teaching was beginning to be more problematical and she wanted to “ go out on a high ” for herself and her students . It was time to say that she had reached another aspect of her life . She missed the students and people with whom she worked and respected and returned many times for a visit , always enthused and delighted by what was always part of Waynflete . Studio teaching kept her in touch with young people and the occasional contact with former colleagues and friends .
Knowing she couldn ’ t just walk away , Charlotte turned her vocal expertise to All State Auditions , becoming a vocal judge . It gave her a venue to see old friends and make new ones . It was interesting to see how teachers statewide were preparing their students and became aware of the difference in what teachers were doing with their kids at each audition site . It was also inspiring to see how singers grew , vocally , from one year to the next . Charlotte was a fair judge , giving positive feedback while at the same time suggesting areas that could be improved , all in the most professional manner . A high score from Charlotte was a major statement of a student ’ s ability .
There is another side of ‘ Charlotte the Judge ’ that cannot go unmentioned . Many of the other judges have their favorite ‘ Charlotte ’ stories but this is my favorite . In December of 1998 or ‘ 99 , John Reeves , as audition chair , scheduled the northern site in Madawaska . It was decided that we would rent a van , as usual , and drive up Saturday morning . I was to meet the van at the Auburn Park & Ride at 6:30 am which , given light traffic , would get us to Madawaska at noon , plenty of time to eat some lunch before auditions began . John didn ’ t take into consideration Charlotte as chauffeur . It was a