"Helping You Harmonise."

The title of this one just about explains it all. The Golden Rules for rehearsing a choir are simple and put into three points:

1. It's about the choir singing, not the director talking.
2. Reinforce the behaviour you want repeated.
3. Make a difference.

The first one is really easy for choir directors to break. This point was really short but makes an excellent and very important point. In the article it says, "Treat your singers like dolphins: when they do the trick, throw 'em a fish." Basically meaning, don't forget to compliment your choir when they do something good. The last point is obviously the most important. This point means that a director should always be progressing and keep moving forward, but always changing. Repeated things aren't that exciting.

Garnett, Liz. "Golden rules for rehearsing a choir." Helping You Harmonise. 3 December 2009. http://www.helpingyouharmonise.com/golden_rules

Say What Now?

1. How would you use technology in the day to day operations of your career field?
    Researching/looking for songs and sheet music; Setting up Powerpoint presentations for services; Excel sheets for lineups and attendance graphs; downloading MP3's.
2. What technology do you use to communication with other professionals?
    Email and texts
3. If/when presenting to other professionals, what do you use to do so?
    Powerpoint, EasyWorship
4. What is your theory about the type of technology that will be used in the future in this profession?
    My mentor didn't really have a theory, but a glorious ideal. As most sheet music is becoming digital, he thought it'd be cool to see sheet music created by recording of piano or various instruments playing.
5. As a student and future professional, how can you imagine technology being incorporated in this profession?
    Refer to 1 and 4.

Being thrown into this setting of music ministry and choir direction, I'm constantly using Microsoft Word to type up lyrics for my choir or to create calendars. I also find NoteFlight.com very useful to compose music or arrange pieces. I'm constantly texting my choir members, reminding them of times, locations, etc.

This Is Broken.

This lovely picture would be the lever in the bed of my truck. Apparently, the makers of the car intended for people to be conveniently trapped inside it. What I don't understand is how someone could crawl all the way in the back and have the tailgate shut on them. Maybe they were preparing for small children. In that case, the lever is very hard to pull on and it takes some strength to push the cover off (yes, I tried).
On a more serious topic, school is, in a sense, broken. The goal of schooling is to prepare us for our future jobs and to equip us enough in life. Two things: 1) In school, they do not put us out into situations that we will have to face in the future. Most students will never face a real-life problem involving a job, decision-making. I view math necessary, but I've never been taught how to balance a checkbook, how to manage my money, or how taxes work, 2) They're not teaching students what we want to learn. Obviously the basic things are necessary: reading, writing, math, social sciences. But if a student is especially equipped for art, there are only so many art-related classes the student can take. They have to juggle their gift with other classes. Yes, we need the necessary teachings, but we also need more of what we want. There needs to be a more personalized path, rather than a general path everyone has to follow. 

Non-Assigned Blogpost.

This is not an assignment, but as this is my blog relating to my mentorship, I deem it appropriate to write about an experience I had.

This past Sunday, November 4, 2012, was my youth choir's first performance under my direction. We sang three songs and we sang beautifully. I was and still am very proud of them! It was a tremendous day and it all worked out.
Now, this story seems not so dramatic as it occurred smoothly. But what led up to our performance during the service was drastic. I am short on male voices, having only five: me, my friend, my brother, and two of his friends. My friend had a conflict and couldn't make it so that put me down to four. As with any performance, we're required to get a soundcheck. So the choir showed up at 9am on a Sunday just to run through all of our songs. Sounds easy, right? My intentions were to sing with the choir because I felt we needed the voice and I thought they were comfortable without a director. When it came down to it, they needed me standing in front of them directing rather than standing with them. So that put me at three guys: my brother and his two friends. Which isn't all that bad. My brother had one of the solos and he's been rather sick lately. He couldn't even stand up during the soundcheck and eventually, we had to take him home. Two guys. So here I am, freaking out on a Sunday morning with only two guys to perform. I knew I needed to be up there singing regardless, but the choir needed me to direct and queue them. I did the bad thing and panicked. I ended up teaching a girl the guy's solo (which wasn't necessary). My uncle (my mentor) and my mother (a musically-inclined lady) offered to direct the songs if I would teach them the queues. They obviously know how to direct, but it was the matter of giving the right direction at the right spot. I quickly ran through the songs and taught them what to do. Stress, stress, stress. Freaking out, freaking out, freaking out. They both got the hang of it. My mother directed one song, my uncle the other two. Now I'm back to three guys because I had the opportunity to sing with them and I sang my brother's solo. Service started at 10:30am. All went well. 

The End.

My Essential Question: Topic for Review.

'Which style of musical rehearsal is most effective and how can I positively create it when working with youth?' 
EDITED: How can I choose the most successful choir rehearsal method?

Q: Why did you select this as your essential question?  What excites you most about finding the answer to this essential question?  Do you feel that this question accurately reflects a desire/need that you have to find out more about this topic?

A: I often find myself trying different types of styles to help my choir members learning faster and more efficiently. There are so many different ways to teach it almost seems impossible to try them all. With it being music, it's often hard to do hands-on activities; and that's what youth today enjoy most (including me). But it's an exciting process and it's always fun to experiment with different ways to rehearse (whether with choir, drama, or musical theater). As I strive to go into music/theater education, learning the best possible way to help today's youth learn is something that I will need and will help me in the future. With already being the director of a choir, it presents an opportunity to learn to teach before my college career. 

"The Puzzle of Our Lives."

"The Puzzle of Our Lives."  by Douglas Yeo. http://www.yeodoug.com/articles/puzzle/puzzle.html

My initial thought to this assignment was, 'where in the world am I going to find an article about music?' and more importantly 'what type of article am I looking for?' It was difficult at first, rummaging through sites and blogs trying to find an appropriate passage that I could relate to or use. It was not until Monday afternoon after searching and searching that I found Douglas Yeo's website. Few facts about Yeo: He is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; he has a wife and two children; he is devoted to God and gives his passion for music to Him. Yeo's article more seems like a biography more than anything, but it speaks in so many ways. As a musician, music is something that keeps me going, keeps me motivated, makes me happy. However, being so involved with music can sometimes be a bad thing. Yeo expresses his love for music and his devotion to playing the trombone as he grew up. His ultimate goal was to be in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Although he was an excellent player and this was definite talent, he was not giving glory to God and he was putting himself on his on throne and pedestal. He glorified himself and had a snobby attitude towards his friends. The point being, he let his talent consume him. He strived for nothing but to be musically involved and go more and more into music (which is not necessarily a bad thing until it gets out of hand). His article was very powerful and important to me, as it reminded me that, although I love music and am musically talented, I cannot let this consume my time and being. It is not the only thing in the world that matters. It was a fresh memory that said do not put your own puzzle together alone, but seek help and guidance from God. He has the pieces and knows where they go. Yeo is a living example of how we should go about life: seeking God.

"How could I ever think that a missed note would keep me from accomplishing God's will if it is what He wanted me to do?"
-Douglas Yeo

Down with the Capitol.

Obviously with unlimited time, I'd go about my merry way learning everything about music there is to learn. I'd sing, I'd learn new instruments, I might even dance a little (and I'm white)! I could not even begin as to where I'd want to go with such an ideal. Both aptitude and attitude play a huge part in our lives, however, I feel attitude is much more important. Everyone has their own aptitude and their own unique abilities but it takes some sort of progressive and exciting attitude to pursue that talent. The attitude you put towards activities you are involved will determine the happiness it brings you. 
Our current system of grading reflects what we are, as students, required to learn. It tests us on our knowledge of what officials think we ought to know. They mainly test on how well we test. We have obviously progressed and learned that people learn in so many different ways and go about things in opposite manners. Grading should not be based on what they think we should know, but based on our potential. We should be moving towards and learning things that excite or spark today's generation. 

As Honors Mentorship has started, I am slowly learning better ways to manage my time wisely. Having this extra job added onto my schoolwork and other extracurricular activities has been tough. It sometimes becomes difficult to juggle them all; but I have learned that it is important to make sure you prioritize you commitments. This has helped me interact with a few more people and improved my verbal communication skills to an extent. HMP is the kind of class that should be widely offered and is effective in preparing young students to go into the world behind high school. 


"There are two types of people in the world: those who divide the world into two types, and those who don't."

"And Here We Go."

    a.  Berry College (Mount Berry, GA; www.berry.edu)

    b.    Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA; www.liberty.edu)

    c.    Columbus State University (Columbus, GA; www.columbusstate.edu)

Going into music and fine arts, the colleges I look at have to have an evident music/theater program. Music-wise, I want a symphony orchestra and choir. Musical theater is something I want to be involved with in college. Certain colleges don’t allow you to major in music or drama education. That is obviously something I want to achieve.

I have quite a list of colleges that I’m looking at including: Berry, Liberty, Columbus State, Augusta State, Lee University, Anderson University, Kennesaw State and Reinhardt College. 

For music, or at least to obtain a music scholarship, it requires you to audition on voice or instrument.

Location, sports, and diversity aren’t really a concern of mine. However, size-wise, I prefer the smaller, more personal college. The majority of the colleges I show interest in are either private or below 10,000 students. I like a small student to staff ratio. I’m also not necessarily concerned about the ranking. I want a college that’s going to teach me and help me learn how to be the best I can be.

Berry is ranked as the 124^th best liberal arts college in the US. Berry is associated with NASM or National Association of Schools of Music. The Winshape Program is also widely associated with Berry.

Scholarships:
1. Carpe Diem Foundation of Illinois Scholarship Program
2. Gail Ingram Scholarship
3. National Young Arts Foundation Scholarships 

"He Wasn't a Procrastinator," he says.

Well, here's my sentence. I have to remind myself daily not procrastinate and ironically enough, here I am posting a day late.

My Recent Endeavor.

I recently became the new youth choir director at my church, Airline Baptist Church. With starting my mentorship this week at Airline, I've already learned quite a bit just from planning and sorting things for youth choir. I've learned to compromise, organize, and be on task and take a stand. I had to quickly learn what's the best way to set up MY particular choir and how we should go about practice (times, procedures, etc). Overall, I am overjoyed with excitement with my new role. In my preparation for starting choir this week, I arranged a song using noteflight.com for us to start singing in the near future. The minister of music at Airline (aka my boss and uncle) and his wife (aka my aunt and his assistant that keeps him on track) have helped me set up and start this glorious opportunity. Working with them is going to be a joy and exciting as I get to learn new things with Mike and Janice.

And on to college. I have a tiny, fantastically wonderful story to tell about a college I visited last Thursday. I got to sit down with people at the Winshape Foundation, the admissions office, and the music staff at Berry College. It was an awesome opportunity to express my interest in attending Berry in my future. I've been looking at this particular college for a while now and it is nothing but awesome. I fear applying, as the competition is fierce but I am fully confident and know that I am capable of achieving greatness whether or not I get to attend Berry in particular. Applying can be quite stressful but it's unique and an awesome way to see your own life unfold.

This Money Mess.

"Money makes the world go round." -Sue, Cheating Death

Unfortunately, one of the many problems we as humans face in life is money. Sure, it is a difficult subject to handle and not so easy to manage at times, but should it really be what keeps us in a bind? Of course, many times we cannot get around the money factor when planning a project or proceeding. It ultimately, in our time, manages us (as Dave Ramsey said). However when it comes to me, my goals, and what God has set out for me, I know that no matter what the money issue may be, He has it all figured out. He [should] be our head money manager. Money factors into what college I may go to, but not when it comes to serving the Lord. There will always be a financial struggle and it will never come easy, but with God on my side I am not afraid of what may happen in the future (in any aspect) because I know I am in His hands. 

To You Be The Glory.

-Get closer to God every day.

-Make a difference in the world and never turn down or miss an opportunity.

-Follow God’s will for my life and do my best to please Him.

-Show love, care, and compassion to all.

-Be myself and use my talents for the Lord.

-Give God the glory.

During my mentorship, wherever it may be, I hope to gain the knowledge and experience I need before college. I hope that this class will open my eyes and show me things and aid me in the future. I plan to go into my “job” open to anything new or different. This will put me a step ahead into my future, already gaining experience and knowledge pertaining to my future life.

Attacking Acrophobia.

The Lapdog retreat was a very unique experience for me and I’m sure for many others. I dealt with leadership well and learned to share the leadership throughout the group. Obviously, not everyone could lead or we’d have chaos. It taught me that I should always be active and helpful, but not to get in the way when I’m not needed. It helped to cope with being given directions whereas typically, most of us like to give them. I want to improve with speaking out and at least giving suggestions when the opportunity arises.

I found it difficult both trusting myself and others during the retreat. I was confident and not afraid, but the fact of being eighty feet in the air in a group of seven was slightly discomforting. I knew I could do it but as soon as our guide said we couldn’t use our harness and rope as support, I panicked. We had to be alert at all times or someone or something would have failed. Even though I felt insecure at times, I felt that being trusted was much easier than putting my trust in someone else. It gives you a better sense of security.

I loved the course when our guide blindfolded two members of our team. It really tested our focus and taught us how to give good directions.

Acher’s Five Habits to Improve Optimism:

1.      Write down three new things you’re grateful for each day.

2.      Write 2 minutes a day describing one positive experience you had in the past day.

3.      Exercise for 10 minutes a day.

4.      Meditate for 2 minutes.

5.      Write a short email first thing in the morning thanking a member of your team.

Acher’s video was awesome. I’d definitely be willing to try out his challenge.

"A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths." -Steven Wright

Let's Get This Party Started.

Thank goodness we were assigned this particular task. Not that I’m underprepared but I’m almost positive a majority of things we need to do I would have done wrong. Going into this new mentorship, I have trained myself to answer all the questions and predict what will be asked. But little did I know I needed to walk in with questions. The handout gave us many topics to talk about and it showed me that one goal is to create and continue conversation. And from that, I learned that I don’t need to go in expecting to gain something, but to give something. Rewards come with a giving mindset, right?

The podcast could not stress enough our job as listeners. Not only listening, but comprehending. Just like we all learned from our dreadful driving courses, “our reaction time has to be quick.” We all tend to get sidetracked, but in our new jobs we have to be focused (but have fun with whatever you do).

The podcast also gave us an excellent guideline for our first task: understanding our job as a mentor. Which seems drastically important if you ask me. Asking questions, researching our job, attending orientations are all fantastic ways to learn our whereabouts.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS! FIRST IMPRESSIONS! FIRST IMPRESSIONS! Another thing that could not be stressed enough. As I was listening to the podcast, I found four things I hope and plan to do as I go into my job: (1) Be positive and enthusiastic; (2) Dress professionally; (3) Speak up; and (4) learn names (which will probably be the hardest).

Overall, I am so thankful for the opportunity that's being handed to me and I cannot wait to explore this new year with Honors Mentorship. Let's do this!