I learned something very important about being a grad student this week, Episode 11

I learned something very important about being a grad student this week: eating is important.  Monday was a crazy day.  I had a long morning of teaching my brass methods classes.  Usually, I am able to stuff some food in my face right after brass class, but I had to run right off to wind ensemble rehearsal.  So, I didn't have time to eat.  And then I settled in for some work on a project for Psychology of Music Learning and Behavior (we will come back to this project later).  I got so wrapped up in the project that class time rolled up and I still hadn't eaten anything.  After class, I had to go upstairs for Night Owls rehearsal, still not having eaten.  By the time I got on the podium to conduct, I had no energy.  I felt very off my game.  I did fine, but I wasn't in my regular, Future Dr. Mitch form.  The moral of the story is that I need to eat so I can keep being awesome all day long!

So, remember that paper I wrote for Psychology of Music Learning and Behavior?  I am sure you all read it in last week's post.  Well, it turns out that my rant on my hate for Microsoft Word last week was not destined to be complete yet.  We need to journey back in time, a week and two days ago.  I was getting to work on my paper (yes, that same paper that you read and which changed your life) and the trackpad on my computer stopped working.  That's this part of the computer:

I tried rebooting the computer and it did not help.  Still no track pad.  Normally, I would have done tons of research on how to fix the problem.  But, I had the paper due on Monday.  So, I reinstalled Windows.  Success!  Trackpad, operational.  I finished my paper.  As you all know (because you read it, right?  Right?  RIGHT?), I posted my paper here last week for the world to read.  Well, at least one person read it because she told me about all the spelling errors.  SPELLING ERRORS!  And this was after the paper was submitted!  I was mortified!  Of all people to turn a paper into with spelling errors, this was the last professor I would have wanted.  Well, I tried to figure out what had happened.  I know I spell checked it.  I got the little window that said "Spell check complete.  You are good to go."  Well, as it turned out, when I reinstalled Windows and, subsequently, Office, the spell check function did not install properly.  Apparently, this is not an uncommon problem.  I fixed the spell check and checked my document.  Spelling errors, fixed.  Phew!  Except, my paper had already been submitted.  And... AND... it had been posted so the whole class could read it.  Well, I emailed my professor, sent her the updated copy, apologized, and then requested she swap the copy with errors with the new copy.  Thankfully, she allowed it.  I don't know which copy she will grade, but at least my classmates will get to read the copy with the errors corrected.

Now back to the project from this past week that I told you I would come back to.  If we do all the work for Psychology of Music Learning and Behavior, we are given a B+ in the class.  In order to get the A, we need to complete an Extra Evidence assignment.  This assignment can be anything we want as long as it pertains to the class.  Well, since I already did all that literature review on instrument choice, I decided to write a research project proposal on the subject.  I want to do a study to see if there is a way to better support balanced instrumentation in beginning band.  I can't post my actual proposal here; I wouldn't want anyone stealing my ideas.  But, I am hoping that after the proposal is reviewed, I will be given the green light to actually carry out the research.  Hey, elementary school band director friends of mine, want to be part of my study?  Yes, I am looking at you!

Seriously, if this project gets approved, I will be calling.


Remember that stats quiz?  The one that I finished in record time?  Well, it turns out I didn't do so hot.  Don't get me wrong; I didn't do poorly.  I still beat the mean score on the test.  But, I did markedly worse on this exam than on the first one.  I need to meet with the professor and figure out why I went from top of the mountain to middle of the pack.


This past Thursday, I played my first concert with the orchestra.  I wasn't digging the music.  As I talked about last week, all this contemporary music is getting to me a little bit.  But, something happened on stage at the concert.  The conductor seemed much more into the music and I think the orchestra was really vibing off of him.  I actually rather enjoyed the performance.

Also, it snowed that evening.

I have decided to be more proactive in meeting people at school.  So, I proposed starting a music grad student kickball team.  There is a winter indoor kickball league.  And people are totally down for it!  Granted, we are going to be a bunch of musicians trying to play sports.  This could be fodder for Youtube videos for the next century.  But, we are going to do it anyway!

I woke up to an email from the Dean of Students on Friday morning.  It was short and dry.  It said, "Mitchell: please stop by my office or call me as soon as possible."  I didn't think I had done anything to get in trouble yet!  It was very much like getting called to the principal's office.  But, it turned out he just wanted to say hi since he hadn't met me yet.  Crisis, averted.

I replaced a clarinet pad during my Pet Shop hours this week.

 Before

 Missing pad

 Took off the key

 Put the pad in the cup

Clamped the key

Tools used: leak light, screwdrivers, pad slick, pliers, butane torch

I am still struggling with Temple Prep.  We read (read: attempted to read) the beloved winter band tune, Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson.  It did not go well.  We have 2 more rehearsals before the concert and I do not know how I will get that tune and the other tunes ready for the show.  I will figure something out.  I have requested that I be allowed to teach a section of theory for the kids in the Wind Ensemble in the spring.  I think that is going to happen, which will be great.  If I can teach them to read, we will be able to approach the music in a much more musical way.  Time to start writing a theory curriculum!

Finally, I got a package in the mail.  It is my master's degree.  I am officially a Master of Music.

Well, that is all for now.

Future Dr. Mitch, out!