This quarter at school has been a whirlwind! The quarter started on Jan 5, so there wasn't really even enough time to catch my breath after Christmas & New Years!
In addition to continuing in Music Theory & in Piano, I signed up for the College Chorale. My Theory teacher recommended it for everyone & I agree with him. It's not an auditioned group (or else I never would have gotten in), and it's really great practice in Ear Training. Some of my classmates say, "But I can't sing!" but how can you learn to do something unless you DO it?? College Chorale is directed by Karl Schmidt, who is one of the kindest, warmest, and most nurturing people I've ever known. Because of him, the Chorale is a *safe* place to learn to sing. I know it must be frustrating for him sometimes as we struggle to sing something correctly, but I hope he knows how important what he's doing is. I fully intend to stay in the Chorale for as long as I can fit it into my schedule.
I will post later about some of my specific challenges with the Chorale. Suffice to say for now that I am a visual learner.
I was originally signed up for a Power Yoga class which I absolutely loved because it totally kicked my butt, but it was immediately before Piano. I had to quit early (before properly "warming down") and shower & change quickly to make it to Piano on time and THEN my hands were still shaking! NOT a good way to play piano.
So I dropped that & am now in "Standing Pilates/Yoga" which I also enjoy. Don't let the name fool you, we do plenty of stuff on the floor, too. The instructor is nice & very knowledgeable, but she strongly prefers that we not look at her but rather listen for instruction. Her reason makes sense: in many positions, turning our heads to look at her would strain our necks or otherwise put us out of balance. However, I have real trouble following verbal instructions *especially* when given in the gymnasium. The probem is two-fold: 1) The damage my ears sustained from the barotrauma in 2005 makes it hard for me to hear in those acoustics; and 2) I am a visual learner, so even in perfect acoustic conditions I need to see what I'm supposed to be doing. (As I mentioned above, I'll post more on what it's like to be a musician who's a visual learner later.)
I was originally signed up for American History (WWI - present) this quarter, too. I have to take it before I can transfer to a 4-year university, along with several other classes (subject of yet another upcoming blog post). However, I stupidly signed up for it at 8am Mon & Wed.
It's one thing to take Swimming at 8:30am on Monday & quite another to take History at 8:00am!
In addition to NOT being a morning person, I really didn't like the teacher. I could see the writing on the wall. I knew that I would just end up finding excuses to skip class, so I dropped it as soon as I got home. Then I had to find another class to fill the gap.
I had 2 choices that would fit in my schedule: American Government (POLI 1), or Critical Reading, Writing, & Thinking (ENG 1B). I preferred the English class simply because the timing would give me not only a lunch break, but also some time to practice piano.
I successfully petitioned into the class - and more on that later because it's almost time for class now & I'd like to take a bio-break & grab a Mocha Latte before class.
-Michèle
(sent from my mobile phone)
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