References

As it is mid-September, it's important for me to be thinking about references.  And not just thinking about it, but asking people to be references.  So, after some feedback from my teacher and some thinking on my own, I think I know who I will ask.  I want my references to cover as broad a range of information as possible.  Obviously, my teacher will be a reference.  I will also ask my voice teacher, since he works with me quite closely and probably has one of the best ideas of my musicality and my understanding of all the pieces we sing.  He has also expressed a willingness to be a reference.  My teacher suggested I ask someone I have worked with in the past (he thought maybe an administrator), but I think I'll ask my former colleague.  He worked with me closely for two years and not only knows my work ethic, but also how I teach and my passion for teaching.  I also may ask, if I want to switch it up, my graduate advisor.  She knows little of my musical ability but knows a bit about my teaching passion and my work ethic.  She also knows that I like to be involved.  And most of the time, a willingness to be involved and invested in the education institution is seen as a good thing.

I promised my friend Austen I would keep him updated on the graduate school process.  While I hope to actually connect with him on the phone, I figured that I would also document much of the process on here.  

I sent out an e-mail to University of Iowa and the University of Washington yesterday.  Those two are probably less interesting to me than FSU, MSU, and Georgia (perhaps even than Boston), but I want to look at various options.  Since they are remotely interesting, I want to get information about them.  I have also thought about looking at the University of Maryland, but I am also at the point where I need to be applying and no longer spending as much time looking.  I plan on putting together my applications over the next few weeks, minus the conducting video.  That I would like to wait until after my November 3rd concert.

I mentioned the director at University of Georgia to my teacher (forgive me if I already said this in an earlier blog post).  He stopped for a moment, nodded, and said, "That would be an interesting choice."  I asked him what he thought of the director there, and (paraphrasing) he said,"  I hired DB to do the all-state last year, so I think he knows what he's doing."  We spoke a little about what it would mean for me to go to a school like UGA, with a solid but not as known program.  We also talked about the reality of applying for jobs with various degrees.  He said that having a DMA from UGA would certainly not prevent me from getting hired, but on the other hand, if it came down to a couple candidates and they had degrees from well known schools (and we were fairly equal in ability), they would have the advantage.  

I was looking at various schools and their choral staff this weekend- and I see plenty of women who are assistant directors... but very few women who are DCAs.  

One last thing: This past weekend on chamber retreat, we had a bonfire.  At this bonfire people were supposed to let others know why they would want to be friends with someone else in the choir.  When it got to the point where I was mentioned, the first thing someone said was, "Shannon is smart.  I don't know why you wouldn't want to be friends with someone who has that kind of knowledge."  I was already humbled.  The other things people mentioned were that I was a good leader, that I was warm and approachable, I had an inspiring work ethic, and that I was committed not only to learning but also to the relationships I formed.  Like most people, I am constantly working on who I am, trying to be a better person as I often fall short.  But some of the attributes I admire the most in others (compassion, warmth, intelligence, fair leadership) are the things I aspire to be.  While I still have a long way to go, it was humbling and a relief to hear that I am on the right path.  

One more thing:  Speaking of fair leadership, John and I were talking about education the other day.  I said the one thing about my future that has me concerned is education.  How can I encourage others to go into education with all the doubts I have about the respect given to the educators that work so hard?  John suggested I go into education policy making.  And this he has mentioned a few times.  Could I be a DCA and a policy maker? :-)

Happy Monday!