A good laugh from teaching

One of the things I've learned from working as a teacher again up here in Ludington is that laughter is important.

The past couple of days have been taxing, although we HAVE gotten some good things done with my kids. I'm still feeling encouraged by how well they're singing and am SERIOUSLY looking forward to our spring concert and my first one teaching on my own! *Happy dance*

Today (well, "yesterday," technically), I spent a bit of time working alongside Ms. Sopha with the Concert Choir while they were doing sectional assignments. I remember doing those in high school and at Hope with Dr. Richmond, and they're absolutely fascinating. The nuances of the human voice make vocal blend tricky yet interesting. But when you hear it come together, it's unmistakable.

And apparently, these high school students knew that *I* knew too. When Ms. Sopha working with the bass section, I was sitting out with the rest of the choir listening as she kept having students move around until the lineup was almost right, and then I thought I heard them find their sweet spot, as it were. Two of the guys switched places, and apparently I did something. One of the guys said, "Don't do it! Racey doesn't like it!"

I absolutely love it when students make me laugh like that.

SPRING BREAK

It feels like a million years since the last time I've posted anything on this. Mostly because...

Several days after talking to Ben (refer to the previous post), I got a teaching job in the Ludington Area School district for the rest of the year. It's only one class at the middle school. But it's definitely a start, and if it dovetails into a teaching job either in Ludington or somewhere else, it'll be great. And I've had a chance to dip my feet into the water of working with students in middle school drama, middle school choir, and high school choir. It's been an absolute blast. Plus, I get to go with two of the high school singers who will be singing at State Solo & Ensemble in April. So I get a little bit of experience coaching/accompanying them like a voice instructor. My work really is a little bit of everything!

It's had its challenges, working mostly with middle school students, but I enjoy my job.

And on top of that, I had the wonderful surprise of working the final Quiz Bowl meet down in Newaygo. I was a little bummed that I didn't get to moderate, but in working Jordan's room, we made it like the WSCC tourney. Awesome. Plus a little extra cash is nice.

In other news, life in church music never fails to take its twists and turns. "Unfailing Love" with the Paynes was awesome. So was "All Because of Jesus" with Nate & Bob. I'll admit I was a bit frustrated with "Glory" and doing that with Lifted Voice, but it seemed to turn out well. I'm SERIOUSLY looking forward to the planning process/putting together "Desert Song" with the Paynes and everyone else involved. Hopefully it'll be fairly smooth, sound amazing, and most importantly, glorifying to God and minister to everyone who hears the song (yes, I'm geeked!)

And I might be headed to Center Lake for the weekend in April (maybe?!)

Life is good.

Oh how life changes in a week

I was talking to Ben just on Monday night. It was awesome because,

1. I miss my friend. College relationships are a blessing and a bummer. I love them, hate them, love to hate them, and thank Jesus for them so much.

2. We got a chance to ask each other how we could pray for one another. I mentioned stuff on my end about, amongst other things, teaching and finding a job.

Two days after that, I get a voicemail related to a part-time job at LUDINGTON. Two days after THAT, I actually HAVE said job. Two days from now, I start.

I couldn't be more thankful to, first of all, be WORKING, and second, in MUSIC EDUCATION, for the first time in about two years. It's such a great feeling to say, "HEY! I'm WORKING. I'm a TEACHER!" If this dovetails into a real, honest-to-goodness "big person" full-time job, it'd really be my dream come true.

But for now, I'll be thankful for what I do have. God answers prayer. (And I have to lesson plan REALLY FAST!)

Monday, 16 January 2006

Where are YOU in twenty years?

That question is popular for career planners, college admissions representatives, and other such folks to direct at high school & college students. As I've looked back, my answer has changed over the years.

Back in upper elementary school, I imagined myself doing something like my dad's job. My future world as I imagined it resembled that of Dilbert, working as a cubicle rat doing something likely having to do with engineering or other white-collar style job, complete with coworkers of all sorts, evil administrators, and (of course), the pointy-haired boss.

In junior high and high school, I began drifting back towards my early elementary school idea of being a teacher. I squished five years of science into four and took every college-prep math class imaginable. I thought, "Maybe I'll end up teaching chemistry or biology or something."

Then Ms. Sopha told me she figured me teaching choir. Teach choir? Hmmm... I'd get to do music, keep up on my singing and piano playing, State Honors Choirs (directing and sending students to participate), festivals... that could be lots of fun.

Finally, senior year of high school, I finally decided to act like I wanted to teach (and earned one scholarship for that specific reason). Probably music? Sure, but I didn't make any concrete decisions. The registration forms arrived for classes at Hope, and I rifle through them. Then the point of no return (so it seemed) arrived: "If you want to major in music, be sure to register for these classes," and then the whole battery of freshman music classes was listed. Holy crap, how am I going to do all this...?

Now I get asked, "What do you want to teach?" I initially answered "high school," but I keep thinking of teaching university-level music now. I feel music education is my calling and I've seen signs of that last semester, but I've noticed some of the biggest during exams and this semester already.

It began during the performances for semester compositions for Theory II last semester. All the sophomore music theory students, a few other musicians, and some outside guests all gathered in Snow Auditorium for the performances. Dr. Hodson gave a brief introduction on what we'd be doing, what the performance was all about, etc. Jay leaned over to Steven while Dr. Hodson was talking and whispered in his ear, "That's Tyler Racey in twenty years!"

With the onset of a new semester has meant two big things in the music department: Dr. Richmond & Prof. Wolfe's departure for the semester and the arrival of Dr. Jeff Buettner. Dr. Buettner is filling in Dr. Richmond's role for the semester while the whole Richmond family goes cavorting throughout Europe. Having only VERY briefly been introduced to Dr. Buettner at a Chapel Choir recording session, no one in the department really knew what to make of him. However... here are the reactions some of my friends have had regarding him.

Sarah: He's SO much like Andrew Meyers! (note: I've been compared to Andrew in personality)
Jessica: Tyler! Dr. Buettner reminds me SO much of you!
Megan: Oh my gosh! Tyler: Dr. Buettner reminds me of YOU!
Kara: He reminds me of Tyler!
Maggie: Kara's right. Dr. Buettner DOES remind me of you...
Amanda: All the vocal music ed. people tell me he's you in twenty years.

Currently Listening Worship By Michael W. Smith Open the Eyes of My Heart see related

Comments(3)

I kind of know that i have absolutely know idea exactly what I'll be doing or where- I hope I stay in Michigan.

chickenlittle27

Wow... what a post. Would you like to be married with children in 20 years? Have you thought about where you would like to live? I wonder if the Angela would like the U.P. - there's lots of trees and wild life up there...

[End Dorothy's random thoughts]

dorothygale27

Okay, an addendum...

I usually think I'd like to be married and raise a family (in that order, please) when I'm "grown up," but I've discovered here at Hope how much I value my independence. It's quite nice to not have to constantly explain to everyone where you'll be going, how long you'll be gone, who's there, and the list goes on. However, I can't imagine NOT having a family. There definitely will be kittycats in my home and they will be loved. Hopefully I'll still be living in Michigan-unlike so many people that come from our great state, I love it here. There are four seasons (usually) instead of just "hot" and "hot and wet" like in Hawaii, and it's home. I'd prefer to live in western Michigan, but I think I could hack it over on the eastern side of the state, too (sorry my east Michigan fans).

Major_General_Music