I Cannot Wait.

I cannot wait. And right now, that statement has nothing to do with the end of the school year or the wedding. Or children. Or a DMA program. But I cannot wait to be teaching again. I have the Women's Chorus, which is great. But I cannot wait until I work with future educators. Until I can help them grow and learn, help shape them into future conductors and teachers and lovers of music who want to share it with their own students. I have never seen so many students freak out. I don't remember my colleagues being this stressed in undergrad. I am sure finals did make people nervous, but they didn't complain about it to every one they could. I think Facebook is enabling this. However, that's not the point. I did see one post on Facebook that made me sad, and then reminded me that I cannot wait to teach. Here is the gist of the post: A girl who is a music education major here said on her facebook wall she had never been more disappointed in herself. This same girl, who I believe is focused and a hard worker, the other day told me that in her vocal juries, one of the teachers said, "Not so bad for a clarinet player." She switched to vocal music education her freshman year here, but still plays the clarinet in band. She said she has always sung in choir. So she is struggling and not getting the encouragment she needs. Now, some people would argue that we go to school at a conservatory, that the students here should just step up, do their work, practice hard, and improve... without needing such gentle encouragement. But conservatory or not, it is still an education institution. And yes, sometimes even I think that some students need their hand held a little too much. However, in general, the students here work hard, both for grades, to learn, and for approval from their teachers. And if someone makes a comment in a jury or gives a test over something they didn't give notes on, this is very discouraging for students that are passionate and have high hopes for their future. In the same way that I have always been very careful about what I said to my middle school and high school students, I am also careful about what I say to my college students. I believe in being honest with my students and their progress, but I also believe in supporting their potential to improve and gain valuable skills and insight. So, I cannot wait to teach again. And more than one choir. But until then, one choir will have to do.