Fall 2012 Semester Goals

I think it is good to set goals.  I also think it is important to set a schedule.  Going to graduate school, I can understand how it would be easy to do very little.  I mean, the schedule is flexible and one must be pretty motivated to get things done.  For example, writing a thesis?  I know people that have taken years to write their thesis.  Because a class gives you a schedule and deadlines, but writing your thesis? You take credits, not classes, for that.  Technically you have a schedule, but if you miss a deadline, you just push it off until next semester.  

Needless to say, I believe in not only setting schedules but also goals for myself.  I run the risk of becoming a little crazy when I set goals.  If I do not reach a goal or meet a deadline I set for myself, I am very disappointed (to put it mildly).  However, I will continue to set goals and hope that my good sense tames any potential disappointment if I do not reach a goal.  I think of it this way: When a friend sets a goal, I want to encourage them.  However, I will also encourage them to keep a missed goal in perspective: Was the goal too lofty?  Did they make progress to their goal?  Reviewing their time spent and their future time, what is a reasonable goal?  And lastly, how detrimental is it REALLY if they missed their self-proposed deadline?  Will it affect their school, their family, their job?  More often than not, it will not have an affect anyone but themselves.

With that in mind, here are a few goals of mine for this semester.

Thesis:

- Set a schedule to research.  This will be Tuesdays or Thursdays... or both, depending on if I sing with University this year.  

- Work with my teacher early on in the school year and get a clear idea of what he would like to see in my thesis.  And then take my excitement, my ideas, and write the best thesis rough draft possible.

- Register for two credits of thesis writing.  I put this goal down because it's an early one I can check off.

Learning:

- Other than a German diction class (which will be fairly easy), my entire semester is either conducting or singing.  I may never have an opportunity like this again.  Use it wisely.  Get sleep when I need it, take care of my voice, be all-encompassing about my idea of "practicing".  Practicing conducting doesn't include just waving my arms, but also listening, watching others conduct (YouTube is a wonderful resource), hearing it in my head, marking my score, understanding the form/structure of the piece and do a useful analysis, and allowing myself to be musical.  Practicing singing does not just include practicing using my voice, but also correct diction (John will be an invaluable resource, as his French is much better than mine), rhythm, listening to recordings, deciding what I would like to do, and allowing myself to warm-up on days I am not sure I have time to practice.

- I have 3 colleagues this year who are conducting students with me.  I plan on using them.

- Finish studying the choral master works.  I can review them starting Winterbreak, but I need to study the rest of them now.  I will be gone in January on a choir tour for a week, but even January should provide some great study time.

Time efficiency:

- When I need to do work, I will do work.  When I am at school, I will be focused. However, when I need a break, I will take one and not feel guilty.  When I am at home, I will do work when I need to, but I will allow myself to recognize when I do not need to spend more time on work.

Women's Chorus:

- Prep for my recital now.  

- Understand the pieces thoroughly before we rehearse them.  Know what I want NOW instead of developing it over the next few weeks (although I give myself the liberty to change my mind as the process moves forward). 

- Encourage the women to focus and use the full body of their voice while singing smartly (healthily).  

- Explore the colors and styles of singing appropriate to each piece we sing. 

I think these goals are all reasonable.  I am also sure that I have forgotten some important ones.  I am feeling ready for a good, productive semester.