It is the beginning of spring break for spring semester 2022. I have not posted any updates on this site since December 2020 and I apologize for that. Since then, I have been thoroughly enjoying the process of working my way through the lower level undergraduate music education curriculum learning as much as I can about so many diverse aspects of music while taking the occasional holiday trip with my family and simply experiencing the fullness of life. I have honed my musical objectives somewhat while still maintaining some degree of flexibility with my options. While my overall goal is to produce the best music of which I am capable in whatever form that takes, be that performance, composition, recording, arranging, or teaching, the focus for the next two years will be on completing the requirements to obtain certification to teach music. Before addressing that specific topic I wanted to first mention that my review of music theory has been very helpful and that it went considerably beyond what I was taught when I originally started to study in music the 1980's. I am sure it will prove to be beneficial as I begin to explore composition in more depth in the future. Also, the various methods classes I have taken (voice, woodwinds, strings, and brass) have also been quite stimulating and enlightening despite the lack of being able to have a true field experience with any of them until this semester due to Covid restrictions. I must say that I am looking forward to beginning my first field experience during the coming weeks. The other music related item to add is that I have completed the wiring of the studio so I will no longer have long cable runs. I hope to detail that process with some pictures in an upcoming post so keep your fingers crossed.
I have come to realize that my primary musical interests lie along the lines of commercial music and that will be where most of my creative efforts in the future will tend to focus. This may cause some to ask why I want to be a music educator. As a TRS retiree I cannot legally take a full time position as a teacher in a Georgia public school but I can work in a certified position as long as it's half time or less, or at a private school. The fact is that I love music and enjoy sharing what I have learned about music with anyone who is interested, and I enjoy teaching and interacting with the students and others who share my interest in music. Being certified will simply provide me with greater flexibility as I continue the pursuit of my musical interests.
For the near term I plan to continue my studies and improve my performance and production skills. A classmate with whom I have started collaborating has introduced me to the Ableton Live DAW and I will be exploring that in more depth as well as working to improve my repertory. Hopefully, I won't wait another year before posting another update.