I've officially made it through the first week of my senior year at Providence College, and it's finally starting to set in that I'm kind of on the home stretch. I always remember hearing about the senior music education majors, many of them my friends, heading out to their middle school band practicum each week. I never thought that it would ever really be my turn, but here I am!
This year, I hope to really figure out how an entire band works as a unit and how I, as a director, can observe that. I've played in band through elementary school, middle school, high school, and some of college, but I've always been very focused on my own music (in the flute section). Now, I'm a little nervous about being able to stand in front of the band and listen to every individual part while surveying the group as a whole. It seems a little daunting!
Also, one potential concern I have is working with instruments with which I am not as familiar. I am a flute player, but there is no other instrument in the band that is quite like the flute. I'll really have to draw upon my studies in my methods classes to be able to help the other woodwind players, brass players, and percussionists. I hope that I can still help a student with a problem, even if I'm not an expert in their instrument.
One aspect about which I am very excited is seeing how I teach in a middle school setting. As of right now, I am seriously considering teaching middle school as a career option, and I'm hoping that this experience will give me a clear answer about what I want to do. I'm eagerly anticipating either outcome, be it negative or positive.
Lastly, I am very excited to be back in a band room again! My college musical experience has really steered me along the choral route, and I miss participating in band. I'm really looking forward to teaching new students and falling in love with band music all over again.
This year, I hope to really figure out how an entire band works as a unit and how I, as a director, can observe that. I've played in band through elementary school, middle school, high school, and some of college, but I've always been very focused on my own music (in the flute section). Now, I'm a little nervous about being able to stand in front of the band and listen to every individual part while surveying the group as a whole. It seems a little daunting!
Also, one potential concern I have is working with instruments with which I am not as familiar. I am a flute player, but there is no other instrument in the band that is quite like the flute. I'll really have to draw upon my studies in my methods classes to be able to help the other woodwind players, brass players, and percussionists. I hope that I can still help a student with a problem, even if I'm not an expert in their instrument.
One aspect about which I am very excited is seeing how I teach in a middle school setting. As of right now, I am seriously considering teaching middle school as a career option, and I'm hoping that this experience will give me a clear answer about what I want to do. I'm eagerly anticipating either outcome, be it negative or positive.
Lastly, I am very excited to be back in a band room again! My college musical experience has really steered me along the choral route, and I miss participating in band. I'm really looking forward to teaching new students and falling in love with band music all over again.
Mary..remember that there are many carry-over concepts between flute and other winds, most notably, air support, posture, development of the embouchure, articulation, etc. I think you will find yourself more than capable of turning your experience on flute into quality teaching on other winds and percussion. .....Looking forward to seeing you in action!
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