I'm going to be a DMA conducting student next year at BU!

Good to know that I'd never have to apply to a degree program again...ever!

Summer 2008 Agenda

Weeks	Primary Scores	Secondary Scores	On-going
5/19	Beethoven 3		Rach 3
5/26	Beethoven 4	Finlandia
6/2	Beethoven 5	Dvorak 9, iv	(Movt 1)
6/9	Beethoven 6	Nielson	(Movt 2)
6/16	Beethoven 7	Dvorak 9	(Movt 3)
6/23	Beethoven 8	Shostakovich 5
6/30	Beethoven 9	Kodaly
7/7	Beethoven 9	Sibelius 1
7/14	Mendelssohn 3	Brahms 3
7/21	Mozart prep
7/28	Solemn Vespers	Int'l Choral Festival	Conducting
8/4	MME Proposal
8/11	Rach movt 3
8/18	Brahms 2, 4; Mend. 4, 5; Dvorak 8, Sib 2

So I've decided to slack off for the last 3 weeks of summer........

Summer 2008

This semester at Oberlin has beaten me up academically, psychologicall, and emotionally. I feel like I've gotten to know people better, for better and for worse. I'm just really glad to be done with Oberlin for now - I just can't stand being second-rate and worthless, which is basically what I've felt like all semester.

An intense laundry list for the summer:

Score study:

• Individual conducting projects
  • Beethoven, Symphonies 3-9
  • Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 3
  • Whatever rep. I decide for my Master's recital
• NOYO
  • Sibelius, Finlandia
  • Dvorak, Symphony No. 9, iv
  • Nielson, Samba (new commission)
• OO Observation
  • Kodaly, Dances of Galanta
  • Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5
  • Sibelius, Symphony No. 1
• Other scores if time permits
  • Brahms, Symphonies 2-4
  • Dvorak, Symphony No. 8 & 9

Cello practice:

• Senior Recital
  • Webern, Sonata & 3 little pieces
  • Mozart, Sonata
  • Strauss, Sonata
• Quartet
• Kodaly, Quartet
• Shostakovich, Quartet No. 7
• Possibly: Ibert, Cello Concerto

General: a Bach chorale a day, mad ear training constantly

This is very intimidating for a bare 14 weeks. I will probably come up with a schedule so I can make sure I fit in all of it. It will be an intense summer, so nobody should expect much fun from me.

Oberlin, again

It's that time again...I'm leaving Taiwan in a couple of days. 8 months is a long time to be at a place, especially if it is home.

I feel like I've at least accomplished some things during my time here. I improved as a teacher, conductor, and musician. I also made some interesting connections to the international school scene and, to my surprise, the Taiwan music scene. I never imagined myself being able to find a group of musicians to belong to here in Taiwan. I always thought we were of different worlds - the music school kids in Taiwan vs. in the US - and would have nothing in common. I was wrong! Yes, the language is different, and I am not well-versed in the musical-technical vocab in Mandarin. But, college life is pretty much the same I guess, and music degrees don't vary that much in another country. I got the chance to conduct a college-level orchestra last week and think I made a good impression for Oberlin and myself. I enjoyed it quite a lot, and now have this desire to do more of it.

After this semester, my career goals have narrowed, and I think I'm clearer about what I want to do (but it's still not very clear...). Before I would say "I think I want to teach orchestra, maybe high school, but I don't really know...I just want to teach music...somehow, somewhere..." Now, I can at least say "I want to teach orchestra, and it has to be one of a high level - a decent high school orchestra, youth orchestra, or college orchestra." I pretty sure that's where I fit best in the wide spectrum of "teaching music" based on my own background and interests.

I thank all the music educators that I worked with (at TAS or in NTUA) for the last 8 months for this. I thank all of my students and peers. My life would not be the same if not for these 8 fantastic months in Taiwan. I'll miss you.

I can't believe it's over!

As quickly as any semester goes by, my official student teaching semester at TAS is finished! I got the opportunity to teach so much and gain so much experience in everything--teaching plus the "other stuff". I enjoyed working with the students and they were very receptive of me as a teacher. It was a great opportunity to see the life of a full-time music teacher at an international school and perhaps was crucial in my own re-evaluation and re-confirmation of my own career goals. I've lso gotten to know the music teachers so well as people and I admire their dedication and skill in the music education profession.

I got the chance to conduct all sorts of ensembles in public concerts, accompany students to Honor Band in Hong Kong and to 8th grade camp in Fulong, and work individually with students. Working with lots of bands as made me versatile in wind and percussion instruments--that's powerful and crucial knowledge if I ever want to stand in front of an orchestra. It's also pretty clear that I lack the patience for students below high school (middle school is okay if they're high-tier groups...sorry to be elitist). This is my comfort zone and where I demonstrate the most of my potential. This got me thinking about what I should aim for in my few semesters left at Oberlin.

I love to work with people in a group, to work with different instruments, to analyze a piece of music to death as a theorist and composer, to communicate my understanding of the music to others, and to essentially help put things together into amazing music (hence, all teaching to me). I think I've found my special little place under the giant umbrella of music education. In the simplest words: I want to conduct. OK, then the next question is conduct who? No offense to anybody, but I'd prefer not to become a conductor who aspires to conduct professional orchestras and continue to absorb all the glory and spotlight as part of the package. I like students, and I want to teach foremost. A good high school would do...perhaps college...or how about a performing arts high school...youth orchestra, guest conducting at festivals? The possibilities become quite endless! So, yes, I want to conduct...but only from the many points of view of the well-rounded musician--instrumentalist, composer, theorist, teacher, human being and conductor.

I'm curious to see what surprises my remaining time at Oberlin in 2008/09 will bring along. Maybe all the things I need to succeed are within my grasp at Oberlin and I'm just not seeing them clearly...