Today is the last day for scheduled auditions for “BISS Idol” for Judy. She hears several more accomplished pianists. There are only a few of the students not prepared to perform. The program is going to be really entertaining.
I have a full afternoon scheduled with guitar club, my two 11th grade classes, and then orchestra club after school. With the commute, it makes for a long day. I choose not to swim today. I get to school with no problems or security issues.
Since I’m part-time, I’ve never really had a “music” classroom. They were going to have one for me the 2nd week of school, but it never materialized. I’ve had a room with everything I needed (video & sound), but it was always considered temporary. Since I’ve been back for the new semester, my usual room is full of large tables that are going to be part of a technology lab. The music class has been moved into the auditorium. They installed a new sound system with wireless technology and a huge video projector during the “Spring Festival”. It works great after I figured out how to turn it on and adjust it. It’s more than a regular class needs, but it gets the job done, for sure. Today they tell me next week’s classes will be on the 4th floor in the finished music classroom. I’m anxious to see what that brings.
The school added an art teacher for the spring semester. He’s been teaching the last 8 years in Dallas ISD, in the Oakcliff area. Apparently, he’ll be teaching some 10th grade classes, and also will pick up 11th grade students from my music classes. One of my classes goes from 31 students down to 14. The other class reduces from 32 students to 23. It makes an immediate difference in the class management scheme. The reduced student numbers are so much easier to control. I had to be pretty aggressive to keep control some days. The students were never malicious, just talkative.
After school, the orchestra club students begin to come in. Several don’t have their instruments, so today will be discussion. Rehearsals will begin next week. I try to quiz them about their performance while I was in the US during Christmas. Not much in the way of answers. Some indicate it was