Why I Teach Music

Some of our fifth graders have the opportunity to participate in the high school drumline's concert. One of my guys has always been just a blah thug-like kid, but he signed up for this concert. He's come in every afternoon to pick up his instrument, practice at night and then brings it back every morning. He is so excited to play on this concert! He forgot to pick it up this afternoon, so I took it home with me and was planning to call and let him know. I was afraid that he would think that he couldn't come since he didn't have the instrument. The school office called right as I got home and told me that this boy was at the school hoping that I was still there. I went right back to school and gave him the instrument. I'm so excited for him. I hope this can be a turning point for him. Maybe not, but it's something--and maybe as he moves on to middle and high school, it'll be something he'll remember and hang on to when things go bad. It's days like this that I really love my job!

Are You Kidding Me?

I just don't understand people sometimes. The morning started off rough with children dropping things on the way into school, forgetting them in the car, tears flowed, stuffed dolphin was found with the help of another teacher because teacher-mom was on duty in the cafeteria. The day after a full moon, lunar eclipse and front passage did not show the small children to be any better behaved.

So, I'm in a bit of a hurry to copy something for my first class. I get to the copier and someone has left it jammed. Just walked away with it jammed up. ARGH! Cleared the jam and got my copies, but ARGH! Made it through the morning with not too much trouble. Kids were bouncing off the walls and I was ready to pull my hair out a couple of times--but was that the kids or me? Not really sure. Took a small box of valentine candy with me to lunch, then left it somewhere. Totally forgot about until after school. Went to the restroom and there, on the little table, is my box of valentine chocolate--one of those 4-piece things I got from a student. Grabbed it and opened it up--three of the four pieces are gone. GONE! EATEN! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? Who takes chocolate out of a box they just found in a restroom? And eats three pieces and then leaves the box? I mean, if you're gonna steal it, just steal the whole thing! I guess if you leave the box and one piece, it's not really stealing?

I don't really like people right now. :-(

Brush with Greatness

I got to meet Craig Jessop yesterday. He's conducting the All-State choir. I went to a rehearsal and watched him work. When they took a break, I got to meet him and shake his hand. He was gracious and friendly. It was so cool. My friend Tracy called me a choir nerd. Yeah, well. It's a living.

Learning

So...I've finally gotten into the blogging thing. We'll see how long it lasts. It's probably because I'm sitting alone in a hotel room on Valentines night. But then again...it's quiet and peaceful, except for the almost constant sound of horse hooves from outside. I'm right by The Alamo where lots of couples go for carriage rides--especially this night.



Ah well, it'll be back to lots of musical learning tomorrow. I just love TMEA. I've already gotten lots of new ideas that I'll be able to add to my repertoire. That's exciting!