Dawn of the First Day: 93 Days Remain
- Jan 4, 2016
- 3 min read
Hey, How Have You Been?
It's been many months since we've last spoke and I have a medium amount of things to tell you! Since my last post, my life has drastically changed in a number of ways: I got a new job to pay for college, I have quite different set of extracurricular activities, and I begin student teaching in 14 hours.
Coursework
Between August and December of 2015 I was left with two classes to take: band methods and Arizona Government (online). In band methods we planned lessons, discussed technique of the instruments, explored ensemble nuances, conducted small ensembles, debated philosophical concepts about music education, observed classrooms, and learned another instrument. I chose bassoon because I figured I'd need a challenge and it was an instrument I wanted to be able to help my potential future band students with. Below is the culmination of about 3 weeks of effort. Feel free to send this to your loved ones on their very special day. Or not, I understand.
New Job
In order to pay for living expenses and the leftover tuition dues for my extra semester I got a job as a dispatcher/reservation specialist/transportation coordinator/office assistant/phone manager/grand automotive logistics operator. I might be stretching that last title a bit, but you get the gist of it. There are so many skills I use in this job that I'll use as an educator:
Professional mannerism and speaking
Organization of papers
Managing people of varying temperaments and ages
Filling out and filing paperwork
Reporting daily activities to a supervisor and boss
Singing, okay this isn't actually part of the job but I definitely sing during my shifts
Conflict resolution and problem solving between staff and clients
Musical Endeavors
I went from rehearsing and performing in a symphony, receiving private lessons, performing in masterclasses, rehearsing and performing in chamber ensembles, and every day instrumental practice to having no mandatory practicing or performing. I began the semester hopeful I'd continue my musical growth, and began teaching myself the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, something I’ve always dreamed of playing. I also joined Ensemble Derf, the UA's New Music Ensemble that focuses on performing pieces newly composed that push the boundaries of what's defined as music. I still teach lessons privately, as well.
I'm Quitting My Career to Join a Band (Not Really)
Almost forgot to mention that I composed my very first song for someone as a Christmas gift! First I wrote a poem relevant to our friendship, then I picked a progression to use. Using Finale Notepad, the most rudimentary of music software, I composed a bassline and introduction for a keyboard part, arpeggiation of the progression for the violin, and a melody from my heart for the vocal line. I tried to make thme all as simple as possible for my first time with this project. I recorded all tracks seperately, then combined and edited them all using Audacity. Click the Soundcloud icon to listen to the finished project:
Am I Still a Musician?
This past semester caused an identity crisis within myself for lack of performing and practicing. I practiced bassoon more than violin. I dearly missed my ensembles, my lessons, and my violin every day yet I decided to use the semester to explore other options in my life. I joined the UA Women's Ultimate Frisbee team, I also experienced the Day of the Dead Parade for the first time, and I volunteered and gained experience teaching at the school I'm about to teach in. However, the full time job, two classes, and ultimate frisbee practice were exhausting, and since I didn't have a car I was biking between 6-8 miles every day just to get anywhere. Some days I'd spend all morning at school with class and homework, then a full 8-hour shift at my job. I would only get to practice an hour a day at most. Zero hours a day at least. I also set the bar too high: the concerto is not something you can practice two or three times a week and hope to improve. It was disheartening.
Student Teaching and Beyond!
So tomorrow at 8:30 AM I will be at Safford K-8 Magnet School, part of TUSD, to teach elementary string classes and middle school orchestra ensembles with Shana Roberts. I'm nervous, excited, wary, confident, overwhelmed, and ambitious.
Check back every Sunday for weekly updates regarding my student teaching!
Comments