jL | In Practice - Not enough time…
In the classroom: We have a concert Tuesday night, and it isn’t going to be pretty. 😛The kids are doing great, but we’re going in too many different directions - musical pit, solos, chamber ensembles, large group lit, not to mention losing four rehearsal days to the ice storm in North Texas. I’d like to blame it on the ice, but truth be told, we’re never ready for this performance.
If we’re never really prepared, why do a concert now? Because the kids live to perform, not come to rehearsal. We have to provide them with opportunities to share their love of music with each other and with the audience. While some literature is ready and will only see this performance, much of the programs are still ‘In Process.’ We coach our audience that this is a ‘Process Concert.’ We’re still in the learning process on many levels: notes and rhythms, performance practices, stamina, ensemble listening, etc. We make cuts to the length of selections. We play down tempo. The parents love hearing and seeing their kids, and we love the remarkable progress that occurs during the last couple of rehearsals. It’s a win/win! 😀
Behind the scenes: We’re working to ensure everyone knows our TMEA plans. From sub plans to updated band hall hours to assigning student helpers for every class to ensuring critical personnel know how to contact us if they need us. Too often, I think “EVERYbody knows how … works” when in fact, they are busy running their own lives. Just because a music convention is an annual tradition for me, most have no clue that anything is different in our classroom this week. It is unfair to assume they know what is going on. Overcommunicate to reduce stress while you’re away, and everyone has more fun.
What I’m Thinking About: I’m a professional, and I need to act like one (most of the time 😛). In every aspect of my life, I’m well compensated to produce high-level results on time every time. Yes, it can be stressful. Yes, there is room for grace. However, I’m not an amateur, and those around me are depending on me to be who I said I would be, so they can achieve what I promised them I’d help them accomplish. Just because my work does not produce quantifiable results daily, that doesn’t give me permission to just wander around without a process. I still have to plan my work and work my plan.
Remember: “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.” ~Leonard Bernstein