I get to school around 7:15 and start getting the room set-up and my materials plugged in and turned on.  Classes go well. It’s interesting to me how two classes can be so different, when I’m giving them the same material.  One group is attentive and quick to volunteer, ask questions, and respond.  The other group sits quietly, and don’t seem too inclined to take an active participatory role.

After the classes leave, I organize materials for tomorrow’s class.  The school wants us to develop questioning skills in the students.  My attempt is to have them write three questions about the class lesson, and turn them in to me as they go out the door at the end of class.  Their questions give good feedback on what I need to reinforce in our next class, before I move on to a new subject.  There is a wide discrepancy in their ability to put together good sentences and questions.  It’s also interesting the vocabulary I assume they have as I’m breezing through our discussions.  I find myself going back and explaining some of what I considered very basic items.  Several of the students seem to have solid understanding of our subjects, but I too often assume that everyone is “caught up”.

My afternoon plan is to write a piano part for our new orchestra club arrangement.  I have a program, “Photoscore” that can take a pdf copy of a piano part, and convert it into a file “Finale” can read.  I open the program, import the pdf., and make some adjustments (there are always a few things that don’t read correctly).  Next step is to export it as an xml file that Finale can import.  After it opens in Finale, I make more adjustments to clean up the part.  There are always a few problems that take me forever to solve (I don’t do this often enough, and forget how to do it).  Today’s problem is transposition.  I should be able to “select all”, and transpose the part to the key I need.  I could move it down a M3, but I couldn’t get the key signature to change accordingly.  It took me two hours to eventually find the “quick” way to do it (3 clicks).  I print a copy, then take all the parts to the copy machine and get parts and extras for everyone.  I’m ready for orchestra.

Unfortunately, Orchestra Club didn’t meet.  The students had a surprise meeting after school.  Oh well, I’ll have the music ready to go for next week.

As I came home, I noticed that “Spring had sprung”.

Judy had a dress rehearsal after school with her elementary students participating in the talent show.  Naturally there were the last minute “Mommy” changes, (music swapped out).  Judy had carefully timed out all the music to be used and put it in a playlist.  Now it has to be edited to usable lengths (no 6 minute dance pieces, etc.), and placed in the proper spot in the iTunes playlist for the show.  Fun, Fun, Fun!