Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Madamoiselle Maestro

I survived my first conducting test. Did I mention I'm taking a conducting class? I honestly can't remember. Well...I'm taking a conducting class. It's one of the things I need to have experience in before attempting student teaching again. I have to admit, I was REALLY nervous the first day. Going back to school on a new, very large and overwhelming campus, by myself. It was nerve wracking. But you know what? I survived. And I'm loving it.
I have a great professor and a really supportive class. And you know what? I'm learning. I'm getting the experience that I really need. I'm gaining back confidence on the podium...confidence I'd lost back in January...confidence I didn't think I'd ever regain. But I am. I really am.
We had our first test today. It was videotaped (I'm watching the tape tomorrow). We got to choose an exercise, then our professor got to select one. I did alright. I know I did some things wrong, things I've been working on and doing fairly well with. But overall? I'm not concerned. Going by his grading criteria, I think I got either a C or a B, both of which are good grades in this class.
The best part is that I'm free to not be concerned. I'm not worried about my GPA, I don't have to worry about graduating...already did that. I've already got my BA in music. (which, wow....significance of that hit me about 2 weeks ago...it's kind of a big deal!) I'm just there to learn and get better. So I'm just having fun. It's a fun little break twice a week in the middle of work...an extended lunch. And I love it. We get our test results Thursday, I'm eager to get feedback from my professor so I know where to focus my practicing.


8 comments:

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

What a fabulous attitude!

Jaina said...

Thanks Kim!

Kellan said...

So glad you class is going so well and you are getting so much out of it. Keep up the good work!

Talk to you soon - Kellan

Jaina said...

Thank you Kellan! Thanks for stopping by, I'll talk to you soon!

Petunia said...

Oh, cool! Will you be a conductor/how do you get to be the conductor??

Jaina said...

Petunia- At some point I'd like to be a high school band director. I want a marching band. :) I worked on student teaching before, but ended up taking an incomplete. I wasn't ready for it, needed more training. Hence the conducting classes.

Gigi Ann said...

Oh, Jaina, I hope your dream of being a conductor of a marching band comes true. Reminds me of the movie: "Music Man" I think that was the title and the song "76 Trombones"

I have been trying to put you in my link list, but I get other blogs and they aren't yours. I've tried: lookingthroughthelens.blogspot.com and jaina.blogspot.com. There are other blogs out there by those names, but I don't think they are you;)

Yes, I noticed "Shards" must have decided blogging wasn't for him. And I agree I do believe that's how we found each other;)

Jaina said...

Gramma Ann-Great movie. I was in the musical when I was younger, tons of fun. :) The address for my blog is actually http://girl-with-the-camera.blogspot.com :)