I have to preface this post saying that this is not meant to offend anyone. I truly, honestly am not thinking of anyone personally and the intentions of this are not to belittle the efforts of music directors in the area. It is merely to create pondering and discussion.
A good majority of music teachers are full of crap. Fantastic way to open a perhaps very generalized post from a 22 year old who can barely make his way through college without a music ed degree, huh? But this has been something I've been thinking about an incredible amount the past few months. I think it's part of the reason why the Nebraska area struggles to keep up with the rest of the country in terms of music education.
Music is special. You and I have both heard it umpteen times from friends, teachers, parents and the like. It expresses feelings that words can't, blah blah blah, etc. Even while hastily poking fun at such cliches, I myself think music is very different than normal occupations. However, this is why schools often come up short. They place music on this unreachable pedestal that can only be obtained by being blessed by God with insane gifts of musicianship. While again, I myself still think that certain people are naturally talented when it comes to music, it becomes an issue when it's time to teach students.
Natural talent is not required to be successful in music. Just as an accountant doesn't necessarily need natural talent in accounting. However, most music educators believe that you do need a certain amount of natural talent in order to be considered successful. We will never EVER say it, but the actions and attitudes of ours reflect otherwise. What's a shame about thoughts like this is that it leads to an apathetic attitude when it comes to educating certain students. "Oh, well Billy isn't going to do anything in music so I shouldn't have to try as hard to help him achieve things musically." Again, none of us will ever say it, but we have those thoughts going on the back of our head.
How do I know that? I used to have those same thoughts. I use to think I was different and special compared to my high school peers. There was absolutely no reason for it. I wasn't practicing a significant amount more; I wasn't being told how amazing I was. But I remember thinking and it really came apparent to me when I began teaching that I often wrote off students of mine because I didn't think they could do as well as me. I was on an level unattainable to most. Which obviously is an utterly ridiculous thought.
The danger of that is you sell students short of their education and ultimately their potential as a musician and as a person. Believing that you're special, that you're different and gifted leads to entitlement. Since you're so good you deserve this, and this, and that. When the reality is, you don't.
Thankfully, I've been able to turn around my thinking. Instead of being apathetic, I believe my students can do great things. "Can't" is not allowed in my rehearsals. Whenever I talk and ask them what they want to do with their lives, even when I get very high and lofty goals I never tell them they can't do it or discourage them from doing so. Who am I, some average snare drummer from small town Nebraska, to tell them otherwise?
Work trumps talent. It breaks my heart to see kids being told, whether directly or indirectly, that they cannot do something. That they are not good enough. One of the best life lessons I failed to learn in high school was to go for things. If you want something, go get it. If you want to be an incredible clarinetist, DO IT. Sure, it'll take an unfathomed amount of time and energy to do so, but there's zero reason why you can't do that.
I know I've got PLENTY of stuff to work on as a teacher and I'll be the first to admit it. But I know that the day I begin thinking my students aren't good enough to achieve on the highest level is the day I need to stop trying to form young minds.
Let's cut the shit and start teaching students to be great.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Pay-for-Play Puzzle
I recently had a question of mine get through on the Big Ten Blog at espn.com. Looking back, it was the result of being a little tired and overly annoyed with the constant "pay-for-play" debate going on in college sports. Basically, they have been talks of giving student athletes a stipend ON TOP of what they've already earned for scholarships. The response Adam Rittenberg gave me was not what I was hoping for, but I've gotten used to that. It was actually pretty civil compared to the "band nerd" pokes I received in the comment section from a 35 year old man...
First off, band nerd? I mean, really!? I heard that in middle school and even a little bit in high school, but come on.
Anyways, I'm used to music taking the backseat to sports. It's happened countless times, so it should be no surprise that once again they are talking about giving them more benefits. I guess the free tuition, housing, food, books, clothing, bowl game gift bags (last year included iPads for the entire football team) just isn't enough for our oh-so-fragile athletes.
Don't get me wrong, I love Nebraska football as much as the next guy. I grew up with it and have been a die hard fan my entire life. I've been used to the fact that they rule the school and state. But if we start paying them stipends for "the cost of living" (which I think can be argued that they really don't need) then pretty soon we're gonna start saying "Oh, well they all need cars to get around town. Here's a car." The NCAA has a rule that says athletes can't get certain jobs, which is absolutely ridiculous and should be removed immediately. At least give them work study or something.
My point is college is hard for everyone. The student athletes label has STUDENTS first because they are primarily STUDENTS. Yes, they bring in tons of money for the school, but this isn't the NFL. If they want extra spending money, take out a loan and pay it off once you make it in the big leagues.
I LOVE the NCAA, so let's keep it the same; not change it to the minor leagues.
First off, band nerd? I mean, really!? I heard that in middle school and even a little bit in high school, but come on.
Anyways, I'm used to music taking the backseat to sports. It's happened countless times, so it should be no surprise that once again they are talking about giving them more benefits. I guess the free tuition, housing, food, books, clothing, bowl game gift bags (last year included iPads for the entire football team) just isn't enough for our oh-so-fragile athletes.
Don't get me wrong, I love Nebraska football as much as the next guy. I grew up with it and have been a die hard fan my entire life. I've been used to the fact that they rule the school and state. But if we start paying them stipends for "the cost of living" (which I think can be argued that they really don't need) then pretty soon we're gonna start saying "Oh, well they all need cars to get around town. Here's a car." The NCAA has a rule that says athletes can't get certain jobs, which is absolutely ridiculous and should be removed immediately. At least give them work study or something.
My point is college is hard for everyone. The student athletes label has STUDENTS first because they are primarily STUDENTS. Yes, they bring in tons of money for the school, but this isn't the NFL. If they want extra spending money, take out a loan and pay it off once you make it in the big leagues.
I LOVE the NCAA, so let's keep it the same; not change it to the minor leagues.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
My roommate of the past 9 months was so gracious in allowing me to be a groomsmen at his wedding today. I knew one of the other groomsmen very well. Two of them I met but very short and vaguely. The other two I had not met at all. The fun that we had was unprecedented.
It always amazes me how much fun I have when I hang out with solid, Christian guys. No pressure to drink, no pressure to smoke, and no stories about the last time we "got some."
Thursday night was the bachelor party, and listen to this. The seven of us guys, half of us or so being "of age," went out to eat, where the best man actually had the groom drink an irish car bomb. We then proceeded to go bowling. That was it. One of the guys even spoke up at dinner when most of us (including me) were talking about a crass subject, and props to him for that. We played 2 games of cosmic bowling and that was basically it, but man, it was fun.
After the wedding rehearsal last night we all went out to where the reception was being held and had dinner. It was a local church camp and the bridesmaids and groomsmen all spent the night out there in the cabins, by ourselves. Dinner was destroyed and all of us groomsmen just ran around doing the most random stuff. We grabbed weapons, which consisted of wooden planks, a chair, a kickball, and a dartboard. We ran from the bridesmaids and all hid behind the dartboard to shield ourselves. No one even thought of bringing alcohol. It was pure fun.
Of course, we did end up hanging out and talking with the bridesmaids, but there was no talk between us of "so-and-so blah blah guy talk about hott girls blah blah." It was clean fun.
And today was so great. The bride and groom provided us with gifts of 5 hour energy, aviators, sweat bands and rock star (for the dance at the reception). The groomsmen formed a worship band to begin the wedding ceremony and I LOVED playing with all those guys. We took ridiculous pictures. We watched close friends of ours give their lives to each other and Jesus. We ripped up the dance floor to Backstreet Boys.
I'm rambling. I needed the gratuitous amounts of pure clean fun I had this weekend. I feel so spiritually rejuvenated and we honestly didn't even have a bunch of deep talks about our faith. We did talk about some things here and there, but for the most part we just did stupid stuff. So if you were involved in the wedding, and you're reading this, thank you SO much for such an incredibly awesome time. We groomsmen should definitely see more of each other!
Acts 2:44
It always amazes me how much fun I have when I hang out with solid, Christian guys. No pressure to drink, no pressure to smoke, and no stories about the last time we "got some."
Thursday night was the bachelor party, and listen to this. The seven of us guys, half of us or so being "of age," went out to eat, where the best man actually had the groom drink an irish car bomb. We then proceeded to go bowling. That was it. One of the guys even spoke up at dinner when most of us (including me) were talking about a crass subject, and props to him for that. We played 2 games of cosmic bowling and that was basically it, but man, it was fun.
After the wedding rehearsal last night we all went out to where the reception was being held and had dinner. It was a local church camp and the bridesmaids and groomsmen all spent the night out there in the cabins, by ourselves. Dinner was destroyed and all of us groomsmen just ran around doing the most random stuff. We grabbed weapons, which consisted of wooden planks, a chair, a kickball, and a dartboard. We ran from the bridesmaids and all hid behind the dartboard to shield ourselves. No one even thought of bringing alcohol. It was pure fun.
Of course, we did end up hanging out and talking with the bridesmaids, but there was no talk between us of "so-and-so blah blah guy talk about hott girls blah blah." It was clean fun.
And today was so great. The bride and groom provided us with gifts of 5 hour energy, aviators, sweat bands and rock star (for the dance at the reception). The groomsmen formed a worship band to begin the wedding ceremony and I LOVED playing with all those guys. We took ridiculous pictures. We watched close friends of ours give their lives to each other and Jesus. We ripped up the dance floor to Backstreet Boys.
I'm rambling. I needed the gratuitous amounts of pure clean fun I had this weekend. I feel so spiritually rejuvenated and we honestly didn't even have a bunch of deep talks about our faith. We did talk about some things here and there, but for the most part we just did stupid stuff. So if you were involved in the wedding, and you're reading this, thank you SO much for such an incredibly awesome time. We groomsmen should definitely see more of each other!
Acts 2:44
Cohabitation Conundrum?
I've talked a lot about this with friends of mine recently, and quite a few friends at that. Specifically about 2 close friends of mine that JUST got married. I mean that very literally, as I was ripping up the dance floor at the reception about 2 to 3 hours ago.
These friends are a Christian couple. Looking to serve the LORD and have Jesus at the center of their lives and the basis for their relationship. When talking to other close friends of mine about it (I lived with the groom for the past 9 months), I had many question the fact that they were not living together. I got plenty of "well, they don't want to try it out and see if it works?" or "wait, they haven't slept together yet and they're getting married?!" etc. As we all know, sex before marriage is not okay with God. I would expect nothing less of my newly wed friends and they handled the situation perfectly.
Even so, I thought it'd be a good idea to spill some facts about this subject, considering most arguments against Christian views are "there are no facts." Here's some SECULAR facts:
"65 percent of altar-bound men and women live together before getting married."
--Bride's Magazine
"Research indicates that people who live together prior to getting married are more likely to have marriages that end in divorce."
--The Boston Herald
"A recent study on cohabitation concluded that after five to seven years, only 21 percent of unmarried couples were still living together."
--The Boston Herald
Now, those stats speak for themselves and I'm honestly not trying to get on a soapbox and jam my beliefs down your throat. But there IS something to the Christian view on this topic, and sure, there are probably a few special cases, but not living together before you're married is the best route to go. I'm just tired of it being questioned. I guess it's not normal for this day and age, but it's certainly not stupid by any means.
Hebrews 13:4
These friends are a Christian couple. Looking to serve the LORD and have Jesus at the center of their lives and the basis for their relationship. When talking to other close friends of mine about it (I lived with the groom for the past 9 months), I had many question the fact that they were not living together. I got plenty of "well, they don't want to try it out and see if it works?" or "wait, they haven't slept together yet and they're getting married?!" etc. As we all know, sex before marriage is not okay with God. I would expect nothing less of my newly wed friends and they handled the situation perfectly.
Even so, I thought it'd be a good idea to spill some facts about this subject, considering most arguments against Christian views are "there are no facts." Here's some SECULAR facts:
"65 percent of altar-bound men and women live together before getting married."
--Bride's Magazine
"Research indicates that people who live together prior to getting married are more likely to have marriages that end in divorce."
--The Boston Herald
"A recent study on cohabitation concluded that after five to seven years, only 21 percent of unmarried couples were still living together."
--The Boston Herald
Now, those stats speak for themselves and I'm honestly not trying to get on a soapbox and jam my beliefs down your throat. But there IS something to the Christian view on this topic, and sure, there are probably a few special cases, but not living together before you're married is the best route to go. I'm just tired of it being questioned. I guess it's not normal for this day and age, but it's certainly not stupid by any means.
Hebrews 13:4
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Semester of...who knows...
Well, tomorrow marks the begin of second semester after being delayed a couple days by snow. It is going to be the busiest and financially difficult time of my life. However, I am so incredibly psyched for everything I have going on. Here's what my weekly schedule looks like:
Monday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Tuesday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Donate Plasma/Drive to Omaha, Dojo sectional 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
Wednesday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Work 4:00pm to 11:00pm.
Thursday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Friday- Class 11:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Omaha, Dojo rehearsal 6:00pm to 11:00pm.
Saturday/Sunday- Dojo rehearsal.
I figured that I'll be driving nearly 500 miles a week. Keep in mind, I also have homework and drumming to do in between times not listed AND need to come up with money for rent and the remaining $375 for Dojo. Insane, but awesome. In March, Dojo heads to Nashville to compete in WGI and in mid April, we head out to the World Championships in Dayton, OH.
Pray that I get through this semester and am still able to "maintain the faith." This past semester was a bit rough on me, but if I thought that was bad, I'm in for something completely different.
Goals:
Become more solid in EVERYTHING.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
-Isaiah 44:8
Monday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Tuesday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Donate Plasma/Drive to Omaha, Dojo sectional 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
Wednesday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Work 4:00pm to 11:00pm.
Thursday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Friday- Class 11:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Omaha, Dojo rehearsal 6:00pm to 11:00pm.
Saturday/Sunday- Dojo rehearsal.
I figured that I'll be driving nearly 500 miles a week. Keep in mind, I also have homework and drumming to do in between times not listed AND need to come up with money for rent and the remaining $375 for Dojo. Insane, but awesome. In March, Dojo heads to Nashville to compete in WGI and in mid April, we head out to the World Championships in Dayton, OH.
Pray that I get through this semester and am still able to "maintain the faith." This past semester was a bit rough on me, but if I thought that was bad, I'm in for something completely different.
Goals:
Become more solid in EVERYTHING.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
-Isaiah 44:8
Thursday, October 21, 2010
FREQUENT SINNER
What's your initial reaction to seeing this? I received this other day walking around on campus. An older man handed it to me and said "Have a nice day," and smiled. Being a christian, even I was almost tempted to toss it in the trash can a few feet away as he continued past me.
To make matters worse, I opened this little booklet. The very first thing you read is:
Dear Frequent Sinner
Each sin you commit earns you an Eternal Debt of punishment payable in full upon your death to the One you owe it to. God. Even one small sin earns a wage of eternal death. (Romans 6:23)
Being a college student, and knowing how most of them operate, how is this going to get through to them? Sure, it's useful information that should be known, but the first thing mentioned is how bad of a person you are? In fact, this entire card doesn't say "There is good news, though!" until the other side. By that time, you can expect most college kids to have checked out, quit reading and have thrown it in the trash.
This type of evangelism will not work with students. I know this because I've seen it fail over and over. And sure, you could make the argument that they aren't be "tolerant" or whatever, but that doesn't matter. The best way I've found to bring others to Christ is by building relationships. Yeah, some might take a little longer to come around, but they will at least give you some time to do as we're commanded by God.
BOOM!
Friday, April 30, 2010
PODCAST!
I don't have anything to ramble on lately, but I figured I would at least inform you all (all meaning the 7 followers I have) that I have just finished creating a podcast and will be posting audio files of the current music I am working on every so often. I hope it brings you some form of enjoyment. The link is below.
http://keyganb.podbean.com/
http://keyganb.podbean.com/
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