Orchestra With Desiree Van Zee

Dear me,

I hope you are fairing well. This is your last blog to yourself and it is being typed on a german keyboard. That's right, you typed this when you were in Berlin on choir tour.

School is out and this is overdue but I think it's very important to remember this information. My diary here in Europe is one that I'm always going to keep and it's the same with these music education related notes I take. So here I type.

Jeph and I walked inside CJMS and felt familiar with our surroundings because we had been in there several times before observing the band. We were led to the orchestral room and sat in the back of the room like usual.

The students filed in at random and each knew what was expected of them. They ook out their instruments and Desiree helped them tune them if needed.

What I liked most about this class was that Desiree picked out great repertoire. There was a Hebrew dance song that was very fun and different from what you normally would here in a Middle School concert I think. She choose an easier piece that they enjoyed playing, a more challenging piece, and they were just starting another one that was maybe somewhere in the middle.

She was very good at being short and concise with her directions to the class. I thought the posters and decorations could use a little help. The one describing key signatures was falling down. 

If I ever have to teach anything involving orchestra, I'm definately going to call her up when I have questions or need ideas.

Signing off for now,
§hänNÄle€

Elementary School #2

Dearest Me,


Chandra Lind is the orchestra teacher at Irving Elementary School. This was an extraordinary experience and I will always count it as one of THE BEST classes I've ever been in. 

She kept a very nice pace and it was obvious that she loves to teach and knows what she wants to accomplish in the lesson. 


The students were excited to learn and I think one reason that aided in this excitement was the structure and organization of the class. They knew what was going to happen and what the consequences were for the choices they made; good or bad. 


Mrs. Lind got slightly annoyed with the violins at one point because a couple of them didn't bring their music. She handled this very well. She let them know that she was "disappointed" and then that they were wasting time in rehearsal. Especially so close to a performance.


I liked how she did different things to help the students better themselves. She didn't bring her violin so that they would fix their problems on their own and use their ears more and she taught with questions. 

It was all a very effective class and she is a superb teacher and mentor.

Elementary Observation

Dear Me,


Hi. Observing at Irving Elementary was a great experience. The school was way different from what I was expecting. Not that I was expecting it to be terrible, but it is a little foreboding looking in my opinion from the outside. Anyway, everyone was so nice and extremely helpful to me. There was artwork everywhere and it was clear that the students were proud of what they were learning.


I was led up to the one of the 5th grade classrooms where band would start shortly. The orchestra met in the band room so the band needed to meet in a classroom. They pushed the desks out of the way and made room for their stands and chairs.


From my seat in the back, it occurred to me just how far back percussionists are. No wonder there are problems with their attention span and following directions. It is hard as a director to give your attention to all the sections in the beginning band that need it I would suppose. There's so much to cover and a limited time to do so. 


At the end she came up to talk with us again and answer any questions we had. Turns out she's primarily a choral person. This is her 3 year directing band. I thought she was doing a great job seeing how it wasn't her primary area and all. She is SO extremely patient and passionate about her job. I get so annoyed with beginning bands as it just is hard to listen to and they have a hard time listening too.


She told me that I looked worried and that I can call her with questions any time. Maybe it was that it was so early in the morning and I couldn't control my facial expressions as well. It's good to know though that I have so many people that I can get in contact with to learn and ask questions.


Sincerely,
ME

Secondary Observation

Dear Future Me,


This is a blog about the observation in Chief Joseph after you taught the rehearsal for the clarinet section. Jeph led the rehearsal this time and you observed and had to say all their names at the end. Here are some things you observed:

• It is helpful to the success of the learning process to have be thinking ahead and move swiftly. "Start at measure 5, this time for accuracy. One, two, ready, AND!"
• Each time you stop them, have something for them to listen for next time instead of saying "ok, let's try that again." Jeph had them listen for pitch accuracy and he demonstrated rhythm a couple of times too.
• They were all chatty Junior High girls except one boy. Reminding them of the prize at the end helps them to stay focused. We had chocolate that day, but it could also be a long term goal. Saying something like, "Remember that we have Music Festival coming up. How are you going to be prepared to sing in front of the adjudicators if we are wasting time talking?"

Overall this was a great experience and it left me wanting to help them more as a section. I had these above ideas in mind but when I taught, it didn't come out how I planned :) If I could do it again, I would've kept them more engaged by asking a few individual questions to keep them on task and remind them of the ending prize.


Sincerely,
Me

9&10 Observations

Dear Future Me,
Hello! Here are some more observations!

9)Secondary
I observed Mr. Certalics class twice actually. It was a great experience. I'm not an orchestra person and it was great to see what goes on.

10)Jazz Band
Holy Cow, if I ever have a Jazz Band I will contact everyone I know of in the area to come demonstrate and give me pointers. Mr Burdahl conducts it so well. It was so cool that they had a warm up where they all played an improvised solo. I got to count them off! "A-one, A-two, A-one-two-three-four!"

Hey you!

Hey you!
It is time to complete the observations you observed and compile them into these next blogs. So far you've written blogs about 3)CJI podium, 4)CJI names, 5)Supp. Materials, 6)CJI secondary, 7)BHS primary, 8)TE warmups. Here goes 1)Concert and 2)Pep Band:

1)Concert
The concert was marvelous. I have never seen such a Middle/High School Concert. The flow was fairly swift and they were all dressed the same (White shirts, black pants. For HS blue shirts, black pants.)

The blend of the ensemble caught me off guard as I heard that they had exceptional blend. I thought of how they might have achieved this. I have come to the conclusion that warm ups are part of the magic. Why not have them play just a couple of sections at a time so everyone else can hear them together. Also the ensemble could sustain a chord while you adjust them (wave the flutes to be louder, trumpets to be softer....) this would give them a visual of the balance being pursued.

2)Pep Band
There is not too much I can say about the Pep Band. I thought it was a lot like my pep band back home. They were fairly organized it seemed and played fun songs :)

Your friend,
Shannalee

Blog 7: Advocacy Letter

Dear Future Me,

Today might be one of those days when you think to yourself, "Self, why is no body on board with me with the knowledge of why a music program is so important?" or "Hey, why are the parents so hesitant to see why they should encourage their children to join band, orchestra, or choir?" Well, you needn't worry any longer my dear friend. All you need to do is call upon the wisdom of your past self who is writing this during finals week to pull up a comprehensive and witty letter to these said individuals. So. Without further ado...

Dear School Community (i.e. Parents, Teachers, and Administrators);

It has come to my attention that there is some confusion as to what the goals and benefits of being in a musical ensemble are. That is why I have written this letter. Within it you will find my goals as the teacher in all my ensembles. Though they are different, the outcome and benefits are the same.

Music has been, and always will be an important subject to teach students. This is because of its important role in our society and what music means to us on an individual basis.

The ancient Greeks knew this and made sure that music was taught along with the other subjects.  Teaching music appreciation in our public schools creates a more balanced and well-rounded student. Playing in an ensemble and learning to implement personal practice time teaches students the value of teamwork and making their individual voice a part of the group.

After seeing the effects of a well-rounded education that includes music, and understanding how participation in music classes helps to develop student’s brains intellectually, it has become apparent to me that music education is vital to every students’ learning.

As the conductor, I need to schedule and plan where we will perform and when. I make it a priority to schedule as much playing time around the community as I can. This could mean your student will be representing the school in community service and volunteer work while playing for the Christmas stroll or playing in a small ensemble at the nursing home. In my opinion, this is the best way to learn. As Gandhi put it, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

I believe that students of all ages benefit from Music Education. When students are involved in a musical ensemble, they learn teamwork, individual practice, and accountability. As a music teacher, I will create a classroom environment that is conducive these goals, and will help foster creativity and safety of the students.

As educators, it is our duty to inspire and make this essential subject available to everyone. I would like parents, teachers, students, and administration of the school district that I work in to be proud of the musical students they have in their schools. I hope they will also enjoy and appreciate the music that will be created through many hours of practice together as a team.

Warm regards,

Shannalee Finlayson

Blog 6: Tone

Dear Future Me,

1) Once Upon a Time (the TV Show) is awesome.
2) Junior recitals are fun.
3) Since you missed April Fools day, you'll have to observe it tomorrow (being the 2nd of April, 2012).

Now for the REAL list of 3 for this blog. It's all about tone. Why is it important to a group of musicians? Here are 3 key reasons:

1) Woodwinds and brass. They must blend together. As one. This is an ensemble after all, and freedictionary.com defines ensemble as: "A unit or group of complementary parts that contribute to a single effect." If we as woodwinds don't join as one with the brass, what would we have? Madness, that's correct.
2) If you are having a conversation with your friend and mean for it to be a pleasant one, you would confuse them very much if you were speaking with a harsh tone, would you not? Yelling with furrowed eyebrows, "HEY, YOU'RE RECITAL PEICES WERE EXTREMELY INTERESTING!!!!" would most likely sound very insincere. One the same note, you would not want Silent Night to have the same tone as Back in Black.....and so forth.
3) Pointing out the tone qualities of a group really helps them to listen to each other more and develop their ears. The more we as musicians  can do this, the more virtuosic we become.

Love,
a past you, Shannalee

Observations with Kelly Berdahl

Dear me,

The first thing that I noticed about Mr. Berdahl is that he had a plan for the group and also had goals in mind. He demonstrated this a number of different ways:

1. The warm ups were a learning experience and could be used to help them out with the pieces they were working on.
2.  He told them to pass in one piece because it was "too easy" for them. This made them feel really good about their work as an ensemble I bet. Maybe that would be just a good idea to do anyway! Just pass out a piece every once in a while that is a little too easy for them. It'll boost their confidence! I bet that's what he was thinking...clever!
3. He had huge elaborate shields as hall passes. He wanted the group to all be there for rehearsal so he devised this plan so they would only want to leave if it was an emergency. Haha I think it worked pretty well and was just awesome overall! I tried to make that relate to the topic that I started with.  : ]

Besides these goals, there were some other things that I observed while watching his class twice. (After this post I will write about my experience with leading warm ups.)

1. Once he asked them who could help play at the basketball game that weekend. No one volunteered and they were chatting amongst themselves. That made him...come unglued. He told them that they should be proud of these girls who had made it this far and that they should be able to take just two hours out of their weekend to represent their school in this way. It was quite alarming and this kind of tone from Kelly Berdahl probably helped them to remember what their goals were.  I think having a talk like this every once in a while would benefit the group and help put them on track again (although I don't think I'll be able to get quite that sort of volume...). Like Dr. Stark said, he wasn't upset with them, but more at the decision they were making.  
2. He gave great compliments and made them work for them. I really want to work on making my compliments more meaningful and say them a little less often so they want to work for it. Quality over quantity! 
3. He was very expressive with his conducting which I think makes them want to watch him.

Lot's to think about :) 

Your friend,

Shannalee

Blog 5: Elements of a Successful Program

Dear Future Me,

I hope you are having an excellent day. You have a wonderful smile. Hey, the color of your shirt matches your eyes! What is all this leading into? Well, I don't know. BUT! Here are your Top Ten Elements of a Successful Music Program (TTESMP). Actually, you are supposed to list "ten things that you will fight for in order to protect the sanctity of your ensemble". Ahem.

1. TIME with students
2. Instruments and equipment
3. A good rehearsal room with room for instruments
4. School/community desire for a program
5. Policies and Procedures supported by parents, teachers, and administrators. (I think it's most important for administrators to be on board with Policies and Procedures. So talk to them so they know what they are!)
6. Advanced planning (I will plan ahead so everyone knows what is expected of them as far as performances and other such things.)
7. Parent Booster Organization (fundraising for trips, advocacy, etc.)
8. Support from guardians for practicing
9. Attendance at ALL concerts
10. Quality Repertoire

I put Quality Repertoire at the end because I figure, I can always arrange something and or borrow something from other schools. This list is very important to me though as I feel that I will have a great program if I remember that this list ensures quality education for my students.

Warm regards,

Shannalee

Observations with Sallee Nelson (CJMS)

Dear Shannalee,

You have attended Chief Joseph Middle School's 7th grade band class three times at this point. Key points you've taken from the first class with Ms. Nelson teaching are as follows:

1. You need a hand free microphone. I've been worried about your voice being strained in this setting, future Shannalee, and I think that this is a solution to that. (11:11 make a wish!)
2. Ms. Nelson had a good way of breaking down sections of music so they are easier to understand. She took rhythms step by step so the students didn't get frustrated by them. 
3. She moved the rehearsal along so there were no dull moments, no long pauses. She knew what she wanted to get done.

The second time you attended, you taught the clarinet section a sectional. Jeph Morris learned their names and then you taught them a rhythm. After that you worked through tough spots in their music. Here are some things you learned:

1. Junior high girls are chatty. Give them incentive to stay quiiiiiiieeeet. (Use Jeph's temporary tattoo mustaches to quiet them. "If you're quiet, you get mustache tattoos!" DON'T GIVE THEM TO THEM IF THEY'RE NOT QUIET.)
2. You really do know how to count rhythms, sometimes when you're in front of students you freeze up when you get distracted by their chattiness. Breath and go through your bag of tricks:
• "Clark please come to the board and write out how to count the rhythm below."
• "Gwen, will you and Addie clap the rhythm?" "Max was that correct?"
3. When they talk, remind them of the prize at the end. Remind them to be respectful.

The third hour you were there, you observed Mr. Morris teach while you memorized names. Read on:

1. Repeat their names often in conversation. They appreciate you trying to learn their names.
2. Maybe try moving them around so they're not so chatty...

Love,

Shannalee

Blog 4: Recruiting Beginners!

Dear Shannalee,

So you're beginning a band eh? Well, have I got the blog for you! This entry will be all about how to recruit new band members effectively. So without further ado...let us begin.

First of all, you should write some goals that you'd like them to accomplish in their first year of band. Here are some that I would like to see get done (and you probably will too...):

1. They should be able to put together their instruments in a way that does not bring harm to them.
2. They should listen when I am on the podium. (Therefore I will need to give them times when they can talk.)
3. They should hand in practice notes from parents.
4. Treat fellow classmates with respect and work as a team to produce a wonderful sound.

INSTRUMENTAL PETTING ZOO:The next thing you'll want to do is get kids (and their parents) excited about finding an instrument and being a part of a real live band! With disinfectant spray in hand and mouthpiece in another, set up an Instrumental Petting Zoo for them. Once they have gone through all the instruments, ask what their top 2 choices would be for an instrument and write this next to their name. As they leave the Zoo, hand them a brightly colored slip telling their parents about the parent meeting. Add in how they can contact you if they can't make this meeting.

THE PARENT MEETING: Be sure to have punch and cookies to butter them up a little. Have a colorful and inspiring Power Point Presentation (Storms in Africa by Enya would be a good choice here) for them to watch as you tell them how excited you about this new and important experience in their childs' life. The Presentation should include:

1. Info about each instrument.
2. Recommendations as far as where to buy it.
3. When to have their decision by.

I am confident that if you are well organized and prepare well, you will help them to understand the importance of this program and have a very nicely balanced band (hopefully not too many saxophonists...). Remember that you can use some tactics to guide them to another instrument if there are too many of one kind. "You have a good ear! You would be an excellent French Horn player!"

Love,

Shannalee

Blog 3: Let's talk about the Resource Notebook!

Dear Shannalee,

This Resource Notebook you hold in your hands is important! Here is why:

1. "The purpose of a RN is to create a single source of the most pertinent information from this semester, and put it into usable form for you as a beginning teacher."
2. "This is why your blogs are written to your future self and focus on the main points of the semester
3. "Organization and neatness are assessed with the assumption that you will use this resource at some point early in your career."

This notebook is extremely important to me. With it, I shall remember ideas that I have and keep topics discussed in class all in one place. Have fun looking through these pages!

Your friend,

Shannalee

Blog 2: My Core Values

Dear Shannalee,

As our class had a discussion on Core Values and Dr. Stark showed the powerpoint, I was thinking of the times when I'll need to remember what they are. I will need to remember my core values when it is really windy outside and my seventh graders let me know in many different ways that they do not like the song that they are singing. I will need to remember my core values when administrators tell me that they are thinking of making music class an "after school activity" instead of in the actual curriculum. Here are some things I need to remember and have right on my desk:

1. I have always had a love of children and love to work with them and teach them.
2. Every child has a right to learn.
3. Everyone has an aptitude in music. EVERYONE!
4. Music is worthy of curricular study on its own merit.
5. The classroom is a place of safety and freedom of expression. It is a place where children can discover and learn without fear.
6. Music is one of man's greatest accomplishments~it cannot lie.

Have a good day Shannalee!

Love,

Shannalee

Blog 1: Hello Future Me

Dear Future Me,

This is now an official post entitled "Blog 1: 'Hello Future Me'". If you are reading this, chances are the Zombie Apocalypse has not occurred yet and you have just accepted your first position as a music educator to a lucky school. Congratulations! What's that? Part of your duties will be to teach instrumental music? Don't sweat. There are entries after this one that will remind you of different topics you have learned in Instrumental Methods (Spring semester of 2012) and different ideas you had yourself. But for now, allow me to help you remember why you chose this field of study.

Remember your first recital with mom teaching and you sang "My Favorite Things" with a group of girls? Mom made a chart of the lyrics with pictures on it for those who couldn't read yet. Then there was one of the times you performed all by yourself and sang "The Melody Within" from Rigoletto with Mom accompanying at the Nursing Home. You were nervous but it was so fun and exciting performing in front of others.

You knew at an early age that music was an extremely important part of your life. It brings you so much joy and you've seen how it's touched other lives as well. Like when you worked in the Nursing Home and it made the residents so happy to hear you sing some of their favorite songs while cleaning the tables.

This is why it was so upsetting to see it not appreciated in the school setting. It brings you so much joy, so why were there some who were not as enthused? Eventually you decided that maybe you'd like to become a Music Educator and help shape the minds of future adults. You started to write down ideas from workshops you went to and some of your own ideas.

Now here I am. 2012 and I'm a junior at MSU pursuing a degree in the Education of Musicianship for grades K-12. It's all because I am passionate about music being available for all students. Not just available, but making the program so that students really want to be there and actively seek out opportunities to perform and better their instruments.

Now then future me, since you most likely have a couple of days (or hopefully weeks) to prepare yourself for the teaching of this instrumental class, you should do some things:

• Find all the phone numbers of your instrumental professors (especially Dr. Stark because he knows his stuff).
• Make sure you know exactly where the sections should go.
• Dig out all your Instrumental Technique notebooks so that they are in your office ready to be consulted.
• Decide on repertoire.
• What songs do you want them to work on?
• Get out your calendar, when are all of the concerts going to be?

THEN, you can read more of these blogs!

Sincerely yours,

Shannalee (Me)

Dear Future Me,

I am very excited to be compiling this informative instrumental methods information for you. I will be faithful in posting and try to be as interesting as I can with my informative writing. Hopefully I'll be able to post ideas of my own that will aid in the teaching of students as well as other ideas I hear in class. I shall close with a short haiku for you.

Dear reader you're wise,
blow your nose and cross your eyes,
Oh reader, read on.

I couldn't help but rhyme there. Haiku's (haiki plural?) are silly.

Sincerely,
Me (Shannalee)