Friday, 17 November 2006

The Real World?

Mr. Oonk talked about "the real world" of vocal music education tonight in Secondary Choral Methods. Basically the new graduation requirements in the state of Michigan (thanks to recent legislation, AHEM) are going to choke the life out of the fine arts in the name of math and natural science. What for? Why, we have to compete with all the "superior education" in foreign countries. Superior education my foot. Comparing our education system with, say, Germany or China is worse than comparing apples to oranges. It's more like comparing a trout to a coconut.

Unless something is done to intervene these unrealistic standards, our band, choir, dance, theatre, and visual arts programs are going to die. They'll die very quickly. And here I am, wanting to be a choir teacher, scheduled to graduate from Hope with my Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education the very first year that these new requirements kick in. This is yet another reason why I've had it with the Republicans.

That's scary. I want a job once I'm done getting educated. I want to teach students how to sing. This made me realize that I am REALLY going to have to trust in God to provide somehow once I can't be a full-time student anymore. It's so easy to say, but suddenly it gets much harder when it starts hitting where it hurts. I'd like to have a family, but I can't support them without a job. I'm starting to understand what my brother is being put through.

Lord, what am I going to do?

Comments(2)

Hey bud, my heart goes out to you, in many respects! Comparing education systems is difficult. Often people compare America and Japan in that respect, with Japan coming out way on top. But the high schools in Japan are insane!! And there College classes are like high school compared to our higher education classes. Japans also has a very high suicide rate, particulalry because of high stress/expectations and intense bullying in the school system. And while Math and natural science are important, its not a choice to cut one to increase the other. We should be expanding. Music, and the Arts, are essential in developing creativity and the ability for abstract thought. And thats hardly diving into it! lol!
I also understand your frustration with the Republicans. I share this very much, being once a devout Republican. Going from a full-time student to trying to find a job, and wanting to have a family....yeah, hardcore. I totally feel ya on that one. In my desire to be a preacher and go to seminary, finding a job is difficult, let alone one that will help with my various college loans.
The Lord your God is with you, my brother. Everystep of the way. Hes been with you since before you were a twinkle in your fathers eye, with your name and quirks and passions already designed. He has plans for you, plans to prosper you and make a future for you. You ask, what will I do? Well, I am not the Lord, but, I would say you're doing it already. You're putting your faith in Him. When it all comes down to it, if you are loving him with your everything, then you are doing EXACTLY what you should be doing. ^_^
To a brutha from anutha mutha,
Colin

P.S. Capt Cam and I went to karaoke tonight. We did a splendid rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody and have thus thoroughly incapacitated our vocal chords, lol. Love ya bud, God bless you!

TheGoofyKnight

Heyheyhey!!! I'm very sorry for you but don't dis the Science man... That is my field and my future jobs! Somewhere out there is a happy little science job just right for me... hopefully I will find it and hopefully it pays me enough to cover bills and things... We'll see.

chickenlittle27