Isaac and Senfl

Yes, I am writing a post.  No, I haven't quit school and suddenly have a lot of time.

But I am finishing up work on a presentation for Tuesday.  Have I mentioned that my DMA program is at least 3 times the work of my masters?  Being so busy is tough... especially when I have no control over how busy I am.  I feel as if I am staying a half step ahead of all my work, which is better than a half step behind.

With that being said, if you have any questions about Isaac and Senfl, I'm going to give what I hope to be is an A-presentation on Tuesday, so please ask.

Let me talk about something a bit more interesting.  Conducting chant.

I have conducted twice in my conducting class.  Both times were flops.  I mean sure, there was some direction in my line and I obviously knew the music and knew what I wanted... but my gesture was all choppy.  I really tried hard to make it better in between conducting experiences.

Conducting chant involves doing conducting that is a bit like dipping your hand in a pot of water and moving it gracefully through.  I have never been good at that.  So mine was a bit more like chopping vegetables.  But I really did try.

I really can "stir the water" with my gesture if I work hard.  I know the direction I need to head.  But now we start polyphony and I have no idea what's going to happen.  I do know that tomorrow I am going to mark a bunch of 2 and 3 groupings.  And now that my presentation is under control, I can stay on top of my next presentation AND dedicate more time to conducting.