Never Say Never

Back in college, did you ever say those words "I'm never going to use this stuff"? Or "how is this going to apply to my career"? Well, now I know! Every music education major has to take classes in band methods. This involves learning about every instrument and playing many of them in preparation to teach band. Back then I couldn't imagine ever teaching a band class, but here I am...teaching a middle school beginner band!

During the last two quarters I was teaching general music to the middle school students. We played some hand bells and sang choral music for the Christmas concert, but it was a very challenging time for me. Most public schools offer middle school music as an elective. Many of my students wanted nothing to do with music because they know that public schools wouldn't make them take the class. After much planning it was decided to take away general music and turn it into a band elective. This makes me very happy because I will have a class full of students who want to be there!