Did you miss me? Oh, I know you did! I feel so warm and fuzzy inside! And I am so happy that we can once again start sharing this beautiful time together! Well, let me fill you in on my winter break.
I slept...
... that is all.
Kidding! Of course I was a smidge more productive than that. I ate too!
In all seriousness, though, the first major event of winter break was the publishing of the fall semester grades. I know you have been waiting for this just as anxiously as I have. So, here you go!
Damn you, Statistics! Other than that, I totally rocked the first semester. But, holy crap, I need to figure out how to do statistics! Ruined my 4.0 in the first semester. An A-! Gaaaaaaah!
In other news, I spent the break working on my proposal to speak at the NAfME (National Association for Music Educations) conference in the fall. Writing a session proposal turned out to be more of a tasking endeavor than I originally thought. It is an art form all unto itself. I only had 500 words to describe an entire hour session. It was a very delicate balancing act between being informative, engaging, entertaining, and brief. Regardless of whether or not I get invited to speak at this conference, it was a great learning experience just to put the proposal together. What's the session, you ask?
Drum roll, please!
"Transcending the Notes and Rhythms: Fostering Creativity in Ensemble Rehearsal"
If this ends up happening, you better get your butts to the NAfME conference!
This past Saturday was the first day of Temple Prep for the semester. I feel incredibly optimistic about how the semester is going to go. My first hour - with the Wind Ensemble - was spent debriefing the absolute debacle that was the concert and setting goals for the semester. I was pretty honest with the students and it seemed that they appreciated my candor. I told them that they don't read music. Not that they can't read music, but that they rely more heavily on their memories than on the sheet music in front of them. Then, I gave them the Band Skills Inventory, a tool I designed for students to evaluate their own progress and acquired skills. After all, they will not fix problems that they do not recognize as being problems. And then I dropped the bomb on them. We are going to sightread the concert in the spring. They actually took to that news pretty well and were anxious to step up to that challenge. The best reaction, though, was one of my assistants, a masters student in oboe performance, who stared at me in disbelief when I told the students the news. After rehearsal, I had a 30 minute theory class, which I am going to be calling musicianship since I will delve in to topics other than theory. We did some diagnostic exercises just to see where everyone was. Looks like we are starting from the very beginning. But, that's ok. My motto (well, one of them) still holds true. I would rather that my students be able to do less, but do it well, than be exposed to more and not be able to do any of it.
This semester is going to be a busy one. I am assisting my adviser with some of her research, which is going to be super fascinating. In an email I sent her the other day, I told her that I also have an idea for some of my own original research that I would like to pitch to her on Monday. Her response: "Sounds good - I'll be interested in hearing about it. Let's get this party started!" So, if she likes my idea, I am going to be coming to you, my middle school band and orchestra director friends, for assistance. Don't hide there in the back. I am talking to you...
and you
and you
Well, in other news, the Ravens made a valiant effort in the playoffs - much more solid than I thought they would be. But, in the end, we just couldn't get it done. I feel optimistic for next season. We definitely have some gaping holes to fill, but it was a much better season than last. Here's to hoping!
And with that, my second semester begins tomorrow. Wish me luck and keep reading!
That is all for now.
Future Doctor Mitch, out!
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