Duration: 23/9/2023, Saturday

Kalakriti, an Inter-School Art and Design competition, welcomed students from over 35 schools, with approximately 1000 participants displaying exceptional talent across various art forms like singing, dance, and rangoli design.

As a volunteer for the music vocals segment, my primary responsibility was to assist the lead teacher in managing the venue. This involved liaising with the hosts, keeping communication lines open with the judges regarding any schedule changes, resolving any issues that arose with the participants, and ensuring that the event flowed seamlessly. Although a performance schedule had been prearranged, unexpected delays caused by late arrivals meant that we had to frequently adjust the order of performances. This required me to constantly update both the judges and hosts while ensuring that all participants were informed of their revised performance times. The need for real-time adjustments heightened the pressure, but I focused on ensuring that the event concluded on schedule. This experience gave me insight into the complexities of organizing an art event and the detailed considerations required, such as managing environmental factors like the fan, which I learned could disrupt the judges’ ability to focus on the performances. Observing how the judges evaluated creative expressions, noting beats, and responding to performances, provided me with a new perspective on the evaluation process.

Learning Outcome 1: Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth
In this role, I demonstrated my ability to stay organized and manage logistical challenges effectively. The need to constantly adapt to changes in the performance schedule highlighted my capacity to stay calm and problem-solve under pressure.

Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
This was my first experience volunteering at an art event, and it introduced me to the realities of handling last-minute changes and the associated stress. I learned that maintaining composure and focusing on the tasks at hand is crucial to ensuring a smooth event. The experience also provided me with an introduction to the evaluation of creative performances, an area I am eager to learn more about.

Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Collaboration is not always easy for me, but during this event, working with the lead teacher and support staff was a smooth process. Effective coordination was vital for the event’s success, and I found that working with a team of approachable and open-minded individuals made it easier for me to contribute. The music vocals teacher, Palak Ma’am, encouraged me to take initiative, allowing me the freedom to directly coordinate with the student hosts and make suggestions for their scripts. This creative freedom made the task enjoyable and less burdensome, resulting in a successful collaboration.