I experienced an odd dichotomy this week. The administration at my school district (where I work as an elementary band teacher; also my children’s district) is taking a hard look at our widely acclaimed, award-winning music program and making changes. I won’t go into specifics, but I spent much of my week preparing for meetings, […]
Education/School
The First Day of Band
This week is the first-ever day of band for my fourth graders. Yesterday was Beekman’s first rehearsal; today is Vail Farm’s. As my Beekman kids walked into the cafeteria in the morning, carrying their instruments to store on the stage, I called out to them. “Who’s excited for band?” When they called back, “I am!” […]
The Perpetual Goodbye
This week, I’m saying goodbye to my fifth grade band students. I’ve been teaching them for two years. That’s about 60 small-group lessons and 85 band rehearsals– a lot of student-teacher contact time. I’ve gotten to know many of them quite well, and I’m going to miss them very much. It’s something that isn’t discussed […]
The Power of Performing Music
This week, I taught the summer band program in my school district. I had a total blast! I’ve been teaching private flute lessons this entire year, but I haven’t conducted a band rehearsal since last June, before my maternity leave. Band (or any performing ensemble) is what I love best about being a musician. There’s a […]
Teaching And Pushcarts
It’s the first day of school today, and for the first time in 27 years (since I was 4) I’m missing it. It’s a strange feeling for me, but I know that I’m about to embark on a new experience from which I’ll learn more than I could ever imagine, and will also become the […]