Last February, when I attended UMEA Conference in St. George, I was so excited to continue studying music education. It was thrilling to think that I would have the opportunity to participate in band and music in this way, and it seemed like something that I never wanted to give up. I even mentioned to my mom after that conference that I wouldn't mind marrying a band director . ..mostly for the sake of not having to give band up!
And then, I decided to change my major to qualify myself to become a band director. In the back of my head, I kept thinking of that old adage: if you want your future husband to be or do something, than you need to be willing to do/be it, too. Well, funny how I seemed to be living proof of that statement.
And now I'm dating Jacob, who is incredible in so many ways (more on him later, I'm sure!), and what really makes me reflect on this relationship is that he's a music education major, too. In fact, as he's told me, he feels the best way he can make a difference in the world is through music, specifically through being a director. We're still in the beginning stages of the relationship, but I guess the old adage is true: if I hadn't been willing to change my major, then maybe the Lord wouldn't have put that future band director on my path. And the coolest thing about that is that I don't feel the need to explain why music and band are so important to me because he already understands . ..and feels the same way. What a deal, eh? =)
15 December 2011
19 October 2011
Distractions
Have you ever heard that when you have a song stuck in your head, the best way to get it out is to listen to it? Well, I've had Kingfishers in my head for the last couple of hours, so I started listening to it. Over and over. I just love it that much.
Too bad it distracted me from my other homework . . .
Too bad it distracted me from my other homework . . .
17 October 2011
Good Teachers
I think sometimes when I work with professors or mentors, I can sometimes get to feeling overwhelmed. They seem to know so much and have so much experience that I feel so inadequate in comparison to them. Because of the generation gap, often it may seem hard to connect with them on a personal level. Today I learned two important things about my directors, mentors and professors.
1. They always assume you are better than you think you are. In our strive for perfection as musicians, we ourselves become our worst critics. We know how much better we can be, and we may feel disappointed or frustrated when we feel we're not performing up to par. Good teachers, I've realized, have a bigger vision than we have of ourselves. They can tell how much we've improved, and they know how they can encourage us to continue to improve. They see our potential, whereas we may only see our flaws. And no matter how we perform, they always love us. Of course, they always want us to put forth our best efforts, but even if it takes us longer to succeed at something, our good teachers still love us and still inspire us.
2. Our teachers and mentors (and yes, even our bosses) are humans like us. I notice that in the little things. Like today when Dr. Don climbed up on the step ladder to change the clock. Or when one of his students mentioned that she was hungry, without saying a word, Dr. Don pulls a bag of granola bars out of his cabinet and offers her one.
I've had a lot of good teachers in my lifetime, but the ones I can truly call mentors and friends are the ones I can connect to on a personal or spiritual level. We all have our stressful moments, and we all have deadlines and goals. When our teachers, mentors, bosses, and other such adult figures become our friends, it's a win-win situation for everyone involved. Good teachers draw us closer unto Christ.
15 October 2011
A Major Change
Recently, I've made an important life decision. I didn't anticipate it, and surprisingly it didn't take me long to really accept the implications of the change. I changed my major emphasis. Instead of studying to be an Elementary Music Specialist, I've decided to major in K-12 Instrumental Music Education. On the plus side, what I've already learned in my Elementary Music Methods classes will really qualify me for the K-6 part of the certification, whereas others in the K-12 major only get once semester experience.
You know, to other people, it doesn't sound like a big change. I mean, I'll still be teaching music, right? But to me, it's a HUGE change!! It means more time and more commitment in my classes and my instrument (including more semesters of lessons and a recital). It means another semester before I graduate.
But most importantly, it means doing something I'm really passionate about. In the other major I was in, it was high near impossible to take music classes with the ElEd sequence. When my ElEd and Music classes conflicted, I chose music over ElEd. Music was something I just could not give up. One of my music professors asked me what inspired the change, "Did you not like the ElEd classes, or did you miss music too much?" And that's exactly what it was. I missed music too much! Don't get me wrong, I certainly learn a lot in the ElEd classes, and I still love children and have tons of respect for classroom teachers, but something about it is just not for me.
And another reason why this is a big deal is because after so many people in my major had dropped the major, I was convinced I would finish out with the Elementary Music program. But I realized that following my passion is more important than following a commitment to something that doesn't fit me anymore. It's like your favorite pair of jeans; you swear you'll never get rid of them because you love them so much. But then you get to the point where you just don't fit them, and you've got to move on to something else.
The thought of being a band director used to intimidate me. The stress of the job, and the pressures and qualifications of the job seemed way too hard for me; there was no way I would ever do it. I think I doubted my ability. Which was probably another reason why I first decided to teach Elementary Music. And certainly, being a band director will be hard work, and it's a long road for me to get there. Here's my logic, though. Why do I want to teach music? Because I love it, and I want to help others find the joy in music. What is it I love most about music? Where do I get the most joy out of music? Band. It seems simple, right? Good thing it only took me three and a half years of school to figure it out! And seriously, with the Lord, nothing is impossible .. . if I want to be a band director, it will not be impossible for me! I CAN to it!!
There are some big implications with this decision, but I feel it's so right for me. Maybe I won't end up being a band director, per se, but I know this major is what I should be studying. I feel really good about this major change in my life! =)
You know, to other people, it doesn't sound like a big change. I mean, I'll still be teaching music, right? But to me, it's a HUGE change!! It means more time and more commitment in my classes and my instrument (including more semesters of lessons and a recital). It means another semester before I graduate.
But most importantly, it means doing something I'm really passionate about. In the other major I was in, it was high near impossible to take music classes with the ElEd sequence. When my ElEd and Music classes conflicted, I chose music over ElEd. Music was something I just could not give up. One of my music professors asked me what inspired the change, "Did you not like the ElEd classes, or did you miss music too much?" And that's exactly what it was. I missed music too much! Don't get me wrong, I certainly learn a lot in the ElEd classes, and I still love children and have tons of respect for classroom teachers, but something about it is just not for me.
And another reason why this is a big deal is because after so many people in my major had dropped the major, I was convinced I would finish out with the Elementary Music program. But I realized that following my passion is more important than following a commitment to something that doesn't fit me anymore. It's like your favorite pair of jeans; you swear you'll never get rid of them because you love them so much. But then you get to the point where you just don't fit them, and you've got to move on to something else.
The thought of being a band director used to intimidate me. The stress of the job, and the pressures and qualifications of the job seemed way too hard for me; there was no way I would ever do it. I think I doubted my ability. Which was probably another reason why I first decided to teach Elementary Music. And certainly, being a band director will be hard work, and it's a long road for me to get there. Here's my logic, though. Why do I want to teach music? Because I love it, and I want to help others find the joy in music. What is it I love most about music? Where do I get the most joy out of music? Band. It seems simple, right? Good thing it only took me three and a half years of school to figure it out! And seriously, with the Lord, nothing is impossible .. . if I want to be a band director, it will not be impossible for me! I CAN to it!!
There are some big implications with this decision, but I feel it's so right for me. Maybe I won't end up being a band director, per se, but I know this major is what I should be studying. I feel really good about this major change in my life! =)
Rocky Mountain, Part II
, paWell, I promised an update about Rocky Mountain. I had a fun time out there, but for some reason I felt more energy performing the same show at the game on Saturday. I mean, don't get me wrong, it was great to have the whole west stands filled with people who love you and love your chow, but I think after helping out with the event all day, some of my energy for the show zappered out (I don't really know what zappered means . . .), but yeah, it was all cool. I liked being able to see some of the other bands, too ...even if there was a weird sacrifice on an altar type show (weird). I liked Timpview's band alot .. .they have a lot of block drills, but their drill is so tight, precise and effective . ..it looks super good out there on the field. No wonder they always win in their class!
And of course, I helped Karren with the loge set-up and refreshments and stuff and the cleanup. And everything went very smoothly; even Bro. Mac said it went more smooth than last year. Which is great. But man, are we glad it's over! It was a lot of prep work to get everything to work right!
Special shoutout to Heidi and Mom who came to my show! I knew they like watching other bands, too, so I signed them up to volunteer with a band so they could get in free to watch the rest of the bands. They had fun. It really is good entertainment. =)
And of course, I helped Karren with the loge set-up and refreshments and stuff and the cleanup. And everything went very smoothly; even Bro. Mac said it went more smooth than last year. Which is great. But man, are we glad it's over! It was a lot of prep work to get everything to work right!
Special shoutout to Heidi and Mom who came to my show! I knew they like watching other bands, too, so I signed them up to volunteer with a band so they could get in free to watch the rest of the bands. They had fun. It really is good entertainment. =)
11 October 2011
01 October 2011
What day is it?!
Game day, of course!! Here's just a few more things I love about marching band:
-smiling to myself on the field when I'm not playing. Heavy breathing after finishing a tune . ..it's the sign that I played hard core. =)
-free food before the game. Although eating three pieces of pizza fairly quickly and practically downing three bottles of water in two hours didn't make my stomach too happy for a while.
-Sunshine. The first tune we leaned in Band Camp, and we FINALLY performed it on the field! Love it. Although, there was a hole next to me because Nathan had surgery on his wrist. I felt very exposed! Oi!
-Star Spangled Banner. I always always love playing our national anthem.
-sitting next to Doug. He knows so much about football, and he loves explaining it to the rest of us. I mean, I know the basics of football - enough that I can follow the game, but Doug knows the rest.
-Cougar Fanfare. This year we start every field show by playing this awesome fanfare based off of the Come, Come Ye Saints tune. The harmonies are just awesome, and fanfares are generally quite cool anyway.
-I like how I have an excuse to sit during the game. Man, standing up for the ENTIRE game would be so exhausting. I only stand for some visuals and for some really intense plays, but that's it.
-I like giving high-fives to the little kiddos in the sideline stands as we come onto and off of the field. We are their heroes. What can I say . .. we're a great inspiration.
-In our warm-up under the stands before halftime, some dressed up Star Wars characters from a nearby booth came over and nearly scared Bro. Mac. It was quite humorous. To me, anyway.
-Once or twice a season Cosmo has a cameo appearance in the band stands. He 'directed' us today, and I think we actually got some camera time on the jumbo-tron.
-One reason I'm glad I'm not in the USU band is so that we don't have to literally dance on the field . ..their show was a little . .. um .. weird. And not very challenging looking.
-pulling down partitions and rolling up carpets with my section after the game. (The carpet and partitions are used for our changing areas for getting in to and out of our uniforms.)
-Going to get ice cream with said section members. It's so fun to hang out with them outside of band, although you know what we talked about? Band and boys . . .that's us, I suppose! =)
Tonight what I loved most about being in the band was winning the game!! Man, the energy in the stadium was awesome, and we were right there cheering our team on. It's so much more enjoyable to keep playing when people are actually in to the game, ya know?
Awesome music, fun people, great football, free food . .. well, game day just doesn't get better than that!! =)
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