Sunday, 21 May 2006

Rewards?

It seems that I'm at last reaping the benefits of what I have put myself through as a music education major. Looking at all of it and breaking it down, I can't believe how far I've come since I graduated from high school only two years ago.

-Singing: I think it's finally started to go somewhere! I thought as an incoming freshman that I was all that and a bag of chips. After all, qualifying for All-State senior year and State Honors Choir four different times counted for SOMETHING, right? Well, yeah... but upon arriving at Hope College, I suddenly felt very small and realized how great I wasn't. I was humbled very quickly by my teacher and my colleagues. Dr. Richmond & Dr. Buettner have kicked my butt in the studio but I'm starting to finally see noticeable improvement. That elusive "spin" Dr. Richmond has talked about so much is finally beginning to appear. It's only taken two years, but I guess I should know by now that truly getting somewhere in music takes a LOT of patience.

-Piano: despite all the frustration and unnecessary added stress, my playing has improved. As I sat at the piano practicing "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" at church this morning before the service, a zillion thoughts spun through my head. Legato-style playing that Prof. Le explained to me, phrase analysis that Dr. Hodson taught us, and dynamic contrast that I learned in lessons all caught my attention. None of that would have occurred to me when I would play even one year earlier. My playing has evolved and it finally is beginning to feel expressive.

-Education: what is there to say? Two Education Department classes, an IDS class that quasi-related to education (not really), and three Music Methods classes later, I've learned a fair share in a small amount of time about teaching music. I've realized where my strengths and weakness lie. More importantly, I've learned how not just anyone can teach. I still cannot understand why colleges would hire professors who either have no prior teaching experience or no education certification. As I observed personally, being knowledgeable and holding high expectations aren't the only qualifications for teaching. Presentation is half the battle.

It stretches beyond academics as well. I've learned about friendship and prayer since coming to college but especially this semester. The academics nearly killed me, but they didn't for a few reasons. One of them definitely was friends who would pray. During those go crazy times, I realized that I had to ask friends for help. "Pray for me, I'm going nuts!" was a sentence I used a lot with them. It made a difference and I learned how close that can bring Brothers and Sisters in Christ together. The Bible Studs have made a greater difference than I'd ever know, but especially the small group from this year: Nate, Ben, Paul, & Brandon. Shooting the breeze over lunch, talking about life and what to pray for meant more than I'd be any of us could ever imagine.

But the greatest thing I've observed for cementing friendships remains praying together. I recently saw in church on Mother's Day a promotional video for the Moms In Touch program. No, I'm not a mom, but it still was relevant. The women who were interviewed talked how much it meant to meet with other moms, pray for one another's children and schools, and what kind of bonds those experiences created.

It goes beyond moms, though. I've learned how awesome it is to pray with friends. Coming down to Spring Lake and visiting Ben for awhile was great. No beach bumming, but reminiscing over amusing moments in high school (tennis & band for Ben, quiz bowl & choir for me, and the overlap between Spring Lake & Ludington for both of us), hanging at Applebee's, watching Saving Private Ryan at a really late hour (as in starting it at 11:30) just because we could, laughing at daytime television, musing over pictures, and playing two-way Nertz was pretty sweet. The best came at the end, though. Just as we prayed together for his talk in Chapel, Ben and I prayed together over the upcoming summer. That alone made the trip worth it. Praying together with another Brother in Christ & good friend is how REAL friendship is made.

Currently Listening Portrait of the Cambridge Singers By Rutter, London Sinfonia, Cambridge Singers Sing Joyfully see related