The Daily News1 Ah, music!
2 I went to our Spring Choral Concert last night, and once again sat in the booth.
3 Absolute lovely.
4 I didn't bring papers to grade, nor did I go to supervise. I just went to support the arts, do an extreme mocicum of lighting, and simply enjoy a night of music.
5 I realize that while getting to bed early is a wise thing, I've also been cutting off an entire other side of my life lately.
6 Yes, for once papers are almost caught up. Yes, my lessons have been amazing.
7 I know all that because I have been alert and ready to go every single morning.
8 But just going down and sitting in the light booth, and listening to three different Chorus/Choir groups, I got to listen to things like Bach's Bist du bei mir (Be Near to Me), two Mozart Nocturnes, a lovely version of Down in the Valley by our Concert Choir, seven movements of Deutsche Messe-D872 by Schubert by the combined Chorus and Concert Choir, and three amazing pieces by our Advanced Choir.
9 They did Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner, Der Tanz by the aforementioned Franz Schubert, and this wonderful piece called Chindia by Alexandru Pascanu.
10 Pure heaven, especially sitting in a light booth and listening.
11 Maybe sometimes in life the spirit just needs an unexpected lift.
12 It's been a rough couple of weeks, and yesterday I had a good day 'til the end, and then it went a bit downhill. I was told that the WASC committee (don't ask) will be visiting my support class to see to it that we are doing whatever it is THEY think we ought to be doing.
13 Well, ironically my support class had their best day all year yesterday! A whole bunch of them brought masks; I played Jack Johnson music while they shared friendships and projects, we sat down in a circle and they exchanged their techniques and research in maskmaking, and they finished with being able to understand the similarities and differences in the two most well-known versions of Romeo and Juliet, Zefferilli v. Luhrmann.
14 I taught them about how two different directors could take the same story and make it their own. They REALLY got it, and enjoyed the view from my perspective as a director.
15 It was arguably their best day since I got them way back in August.
16 The trouble is, they can completely come apart on other days. So our school is being watched like a hawk by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, who literally has the power to shut down the school and let the "state take over", whatever THAT means.
17 I just know that last year we were accredited for one year, which is the worst showing in any school I've ever worked. So they will be coming in really to see how our support students are doing, and I was told yesterday that the period they will be examining will be fourth period. That's when I have my support class.
18 No pressure.
19 And I was told by the head of my department that they don't care HOW good a teacher you are; they want to see how "rigorous" you are.
20 There goes that stupid word once more.
21 What is THAT supposed to mean? That guys who take a half-hour to take out a piece of paper and can't focus for more than three seconds should have a three-thousand word essay on the rise and decline of the Roman Empire, and it's affect on modern society?
22 How about they bonded, worked well together, taught one another, and totally understood the entire opening scenes to Romeo and Juliet? How about earlier this year they sat quietly and loved the San Jose Rep's The Glass Menagerie? How about they are massively enthused about writing their own skits and doing group work?
23 On the other hand, how am I going to prove to this committee that these guys have become dynamically better and that I have succeeded with them perhaps more than I have with my honors' bound students? Suppose that one little period on that one little day unravels, as lessons do every now and again?
24 The entire future of our school rests on how I do on one random day in April with a class that is in constant need of motivation?
25 No pressure.
26 So yes.
27 Ah, music!
28 If music be the food of love, play on!
29 I'll be working our Spring Concert next week.
30 While going backstage last evening, I saw the Noises Off set sitting in the wings. HUGE smile, because I had just finished putting the mics away and turning off the board. And there was the set, cut in half, with four doors on each part. Wheels. Noises Off. What a show.
31 So yes, I do think I'll try to get out more.
32 Well, it's Frideeeee, so time to kick off my shoes and relax a bit.
33 Great night, just thought I'd share.
34 See you on Monday.
35 Peace.
~H~
www.xanga.com/bharrington
The Daily News1 Ah, music!2 I went to our Spring Choral Concert last night, and once again sat in the booth.3 Absolute lovely.4 I didn't bring papers to grade, nor did I go to supervise. I just went to support the arts, do an extreme mocicum of lighting, and simply enjoy a night of music.5 I realize that while getting to bed early is a wise thing, I've also been cutting off an entire other side of my life lately.6 Yes, for once papers are almost caught up. Yes, my lessons have been amazing.7 I know all that because I have been alert and ready to go every single morning.8 But just going down and sitting in the light booth, and listening to three different Chorus/Choir groups, I got to listen to things like Bach's Bist du bei mir (Be Near to Me), two Mozart Nocturnes, a lovely version of Down in the Valley by our Concert Choir, seven movements of Deutsche Messe-D872 by Schubert by the combined Chorus and Concert Choir, and three amazing pieces by our Advanced Choir.9 They did Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner, Der Tanz by the aforementioned Franz Schubert, and this wonderful piece called Chindia by Alexandru Pascanu.10 Pure heaven, especially sitting in a light booth and listening.11 Maybe sometimes in life the spirit just needs an unexpected lift.12 It's been a rough couple of weeks, and yesterday I had a good day 'til the end, and then it went a bit downhill. I was told that the WASC committee (don't ask) will be visiting my support class to see to it that we are doing whatever it is THEY think we ought to be doing.13 Well, ironically my support class had their best day all year yesterday! A whole bunch of them brought masks; I played Jack Johnson music while they shared friendships and projects, we sat down in a circle and they exchanged their techniques and research in maskmaking, and they finished with being able to understand the similarities and differences in the two most well-known versions of Romeo and Juliet, Zefferilli v. Luhrmann.14 I taught them about how two different directors could take the same story and make it their own. They REALLY got it, and enjoyed the view from my perspective as a director.15 It was arguably their best day since I got them way back in August.16 The trouble is, they can completely come apart on other days. So our school is being watched like a hawk by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, who literally has the power to shut down the school and let the "state take over", whatever THAT means.17 I just know that last year we were accredited for one year, which is the worst showing in any school I've ever worked. So they will be coming in really to see how our support students are doing, and I was told yesterday that the period they will be examining will be fourth period. That's when I have my support class.18 No pressure.19 And I was told by the head of my department that they don't care HOW good a teacher you are; they want to see how "rigorous" you are.20 There goes that stupid word once more.21 What is THAT supposed to mean? That guys who take a half-hour to take out a piece of paper and can't focus for more than three seconds should have a three-thousand word essay on the rise and decline of the Roman Empire, and it's affect on modern society?22 How about they bonded, worked well together, taught one another, and totally understood the entire opening scenes to Romeo and Juliet? How about earlier this year they sat quietly and loved the San Jose Rep's The Glass Menagerie? How about they are massively enthused about writing their own skits and doing group work?23 On the other hand, how am I going to prove to this committee that these guys have become dynamically better and that I have succeeded with them perhaps more than I have with my honors' bound students? Suppose that one little period on that one little day unravels, as lessons do every now and again?24 The entire future of our school rests on how I do on one random day in April with a class that is in constant need of motivation?25 No pressure.26 So yes.27 Ah, music!28 If music be the food of love, play on!29 I'll be working our Spring Concert next week.30 While going backstage last evening, I saw the Noises Off set sitting in the wings. HUGE smile, because I had just finished putting the mics away and turning off the board. And there was the set, cut in half, with four doors on each part. Wheels. Noises Off. What a show.31 So yes, I do think I'll try to get out more.32 Well, it's Frideeeee, so time to kick off my shoes and relax a bit.33 Great night, just thought I'd share.34 See you on Monday.35 Peace.~H~
www.xanga.com/bharrington
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