Got a call and two e-mails from a parent involved with one of the girls sports. Apparently there's a big game tomorrow. League finals or something. They want some kind of musical representation. Our drum line or something.
Now, I know this guy. He's a big player in one of the bigger campus support organizations. He's helped the music department out before. Part of me wants to help him, and part of me feels a little dismayed that we're being expected to show up with a day's notice. The thing that gets me is that the athletic parents don't quite understand what they're asking for when they approach me like this. They've had the game on their radar for months. I think they assume that it would be on my radar as well.
Tomorrow morning I'll e-mail him back. I can't rally a cause like this on short notice. But I'm a little apprehensive that Palpatine might catch wind of this and lay some heat on me. (Then again, she's a little preoccupied right now.)
We'll see how it goes.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday Musings
Tuesday... When I woke up this morning I couldn't believe that it was only Tuesday. Yesterday I got out of bed right at the first alarm. I always do the Monday after a long break. Today I slept in an extra half-hour. Still had time to go to Starbucks.
It turned out to be a give-take kind of day.
On one hand, I felt particularly on-the-ball in band and music theory. It was just one of those days where everything clicked... especially in theory. We got down and gritty with a Mozart serenade - doing full harmonic analysis, identifying the phrases, periods and cadences and naming the form. It was awesome.
On the other hand, I had a few things that I procrastinated on that came back and bit me in the ass. Chief among them was the paperwork for the vocal festival that I was supposed to fill out weeks ago. Well, I checked on-line today and saw that the festival I really wanted to go to is now closed.
Crap.
On the Palpatine front: I returned to my office to find several students huddled on the couch. They looked at me in fear when I walked in... one of them said "Don't tell him, he'll just freak out."
"Don't tell me what?"
"Ummm.... have you seen the course offerings for next year?"
"No."
"AP Music Theory isn't on it."
"Yeah, I fugured as much... it's okay"
"Marching Band is..."
"Yeah I knew about that too..."
The truth: The counselor came to me the week before our break and told me that Palpatine wants to add a Marching Band class to the schedule. Actually, she wants to call it 'Drum Line' but there's no listing for it at the district level. She also wanted to make it a 0 period class.
*Sigh* oh that lady.
I'm officially reccomending to her that in her enthusiasm for the drum line she doesn't a) split it off from the band class b) throw a whole bunch of kids in it that don't want to be there c) fill it with kids who have never played drums before.
I am going to reccomend that she d) splits the band class into beginning and advanced classes and e) keeps the drum line in 3rd period band so that we can have combined band-drumline projects.
Maybe she'll buy it.... or maybe she'll say "No, we have to make your program GROW! It will be okay, you'll see. You can handle it."
In the mean time, the only thing close enough to "Drum Line" they could put on the sheet was "Marching Band." The counselor seems to think that if not many kids sign up for it, that she can go to Palpatine and say "Can we really fly this class? It doesn't have enough recruits." But see, knowing Palpatine, she'll just find students to put in it.
We'll see.
What I really find amusing... some students who were really interested in taking AP Music Theory are trying to rally enough people to keep it afloat. There's even a "Save AP Music Theory" Facebook group. Awesome.
Hey, if they can find 25-30 people who will do it... who knows?
It turned out to be a give-take kind of day.
On one hand, I felt particularly on-the-ball in band and music theory. It was just one of those days where everything clicked... especially in theory. We got down and gritty with a Mozart serenade - doing full harmonic analysis, identifying the phrases, periods and cadences and naming the form. It was awesome.
On the other hand, I had a few things that I procrastinated on that came back and bit me in the ass. Chief among them was the paperwork for the vocal festival that I was supposed to fill out weeks ago. Well, I checked on-line today and saw that the festival I really wanted to go to is now closed.
Crap.
On the Palpatine front: I returned to my office to find several students huddled on the couch. They looked at me in fear when I walked in... one of them said "Don't tell him, he'll just freak out."
"Don't tell me what?"
"Ummm.... have you seen the course offerings for next year?"
"No."
"AP Music Theory isn't on it."
"Yeah, I fugured as much... it's okay"
"Marching Band is..."
"Yeah I knew about that too..."
The truth: The counselor came to me the week before our break and told me that Palpatine wants to add a Marching Band class to the schedule. Actually, she wants to call it 'Drum Line' but there's no listing for it at the district level. She also wanted to make it a 0 period class.
*Sigh* oh that lady.
I'm officially reccomending to her that in her enthusiasm for the drum line she doesn't a) split it off from the band class b) throw a whole bunch of kids in it that don't want to be there c) fill it with kids who have never played drums before.
I am going to reccomend that she d) splits the band class into beginning and advanced classes and e) keeps the drum line in 3rd period band so that we can have combined band-drumline projects.
Maybe she'll buy it.... or maybe she'll say "No, we have to make your program GROW! It will be okay, you'll see. You can handle it."
In the mean time, the only thing close enough to "Drum Line" they could put on the sheet was "Marching Band." The counselor seems to think that if not many kids sign up for it, that she can go to Palpatine and say "Can we really fly this class? It doesn't have enough recruits." But see, knowing Palpatine, she'll just find students to put in it.
We'll see.
What I really find amusing... some students who were really interested in taking AP Music Theory are trying to rally enough people to keep it afloat. There's even a "Save AP Music Theory" Facebook group. Awesome.
Hey, if they can find 25-30 people who will do it... who knows?
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Grim Reaper Cometh?
So anyone living in Calif.... ummmm... anyone living near Cal....
Okay, anyone who's ever heard of California knows that we're in a financial pickle. Of course, it's hard to find a spot on the planet that isn't in a financial pickle... but California actually has the State Fair Blue Ribbon All-Time Sweepstakes Champion Pickle. It's going to suck for everyone.
So what does that mean for me? Well, let me tell you, there are two things that spell death for music programs in the public school systems: a) Educational reform (Big high-five to Mr. Bush and "No Child Left in Band") and b) financially turbulent times.
I am confident of one thing: no one, not even Prinipal Palpatine, wants to see the music program disappear here at Empire High. Hell, if she had to slash the arts program, she'd probably try to save music out of all of the departments (only because we're the most useful to her). I don't think I should be worried just yet - given that we are a basic-aid district, my job may not be automatically on the chopping block. It does, however, put me in a position where I will have to play ball more than I would like.
Waving my contract at me in these financially difficult times is much more powerful than before. No one... and I mean no one wants to be an arts teacher looking for a job in this economy. There may be a silver lining, however - with districts trimming their budget, she may not find as much support for diverting funds into starting a marching program. If that's the case then the only way we could have one is if there is a significant number of students and families who are willing to fund-raise for one... because the football parents sure as hell aren't going to.
Okay, anyone who's ever heard of California knows that we're in a financial pickle. Of course, it's hard to find a spot on the planet that isn't in a financial pickle... but California actually has the State Fair Blue Ribbon All-Time Sweepstakes Champion Pickle. It's going to suck for everyone.
So what does that mean for me? Well, let me tell you, there are two things that spell death for music programs in the public school systems: a) Educational reform (Big high-five to Mr. Bush and "No Child Left in Band") and b) financially turbulent times.
I am confident of one thing: no one, not even Prinipal Palpatine, wants to see the music program disappear here at Empire High. Hell, if she had to slash the arts program, she'd probably try to save music out of all of the departments (only because we're the most useful to her). I don't think I should be worried just yet - given that we are a basic-aid district, my job may not be automatically on the chopping block. It does, however, put me in a position where I will have to play ball more than I would like.
Waving my contract at me in these financially difficult times is much more powerful than before. No one... and I mean no one wants to be an arts teacher looking for a job in this economy. There may be a silver lining, however - with districts trimming their budget, she may not find as much support for diverting funds into starting a marching program. If that's the case then the only way we could have one is if there is a significant number of students and families who are willing to fund-raise for one... because the football parents sure as hell aren't going to.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Drama Wars: Episode II (revised again)
So, the showdown between Principal Palpatine and Drama Teacher is getting very heated, and very public. Chances are, Imperial spies have sent their drones out to monitor the internet. To be on the safe side, I'm yanking my post on it. Rest assured when the dust settles, I'll have some commentary.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February Bleahs
Dear Parents of the Munchkins in the After School Elementary Music Program,
I know you paid a lot of money for the program, however it does not cover attending to your children a full hour after the class has ended. Please be on time to retrieve them... especially if they are going to be loud, annoying, and full of curiosity as to what I have stored in the various cabinets around the music room. The next time you fail to pick them up on time, I will drive them to Disneyland, take them into "It's a Small World" and nail their feet to the floor, after which they will be forced to sing that song for eternity.
On the Principal Palpatine front:
Well, apparently her Imperial majesty has decreed that all of the Drama Dept's plays must now pass her inspection before they open for the public. Apparently she got a few phone calls from parents. So now, students will refrain from kissing on stage, as well as uttering the words "damn" or "ass." Not only will we raise the moral content of said productions to an appropriate level, we will be sure to protect any young theater goers from being exposed to influences that are far milder that what they get into in their own regular lives. Yessssireee... it's a kinder, brighter future, and I for one am proud to be a part of it!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Craptastic Part II
So... the call to Disney's Lost and Found yielded no results. On one hand I appreciate the fact that they were SO nice, and told me over and over "Don't give up... it may turn up yet." On the other hand I think I'd like to just accept the fact that it's gone and move on.
I do have to say.... I was expecting something of a lecture from my wife. She didn't give me one. She just gave me a big hug when I came home and said "I love you" which is exactly what I needed. And in turn, I handed over the box of "Mickey & Friends" mints that I bring home every year for her.
So... here's the deal. I am going to have another camera eventually. I'm not going out and ordering one on the internet tomorrow. I have to save up. I teach private lessons on the side... that's how I buy most of my toys. With what I have stashed already, I can get another camera by April, probably.
Here's what I lost: Nikon D80 with a Nikkor 18-200mm VR lense. I paid about $1500 for the body and lense separately. But a few months after I bought the D80, Nikon unveiled the next model, the D90. The D80s are still available but for considerably less. I could replace the eaxct kit I had for about $1200 sooner -or- I could spend something more like $1600 to get the D90 kit. It has some nifty new features, like a self-cleaning sensor (and if you work with digital SLRs you know how awesome that is)
I'm inclined to do the latter. By my calculations, I should be able to order one just before Spring Break. *Sigh* I'm such a consumer whore....
I do have to say.... I was expecting something of a lecture from my wife. She didn't give me one. She just gave me a big hug when I came home and said "I love you" which is exactly what I needed. And in turn, I handed over the box of "Mickey & Friends" mints that I bring home every year for her.
So... here's the deal. I am going to have another camera eventually. I'm not going out and ordering one on the internet tomorrow. I have to save up. I teach private lessons on the side... that's how I buy most of my toys. With what I have stashed already, I can get another camera by April, probably.
Here's what I lost: Nikon D80 with a Nikkor 18-200mm VR lense. I paid about $1500 for the body and lense separately. But a few months after I bought the D80, Nikon unveiled the next model, the D90. The D80s are still available but for considerably less. I could replace the eaxct kit I had for about $1200 sooner -or- I could spend something more like $1600 to get the D90 kit. It has some nifty new features, like a self-cleaning sensor (and if you work with digital SLRs you know how awesome that is)
I'm inclined to do the latter. By my calculations, I should be able to order one just before Spring Break. *Sigh* I'm such a consumer whore....
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Craptastic.
Took two groups to perform at Disneyland today. It's our annual trip where we go perform for 30 minutes, then spend the rest of the day in the park (well, not counting in the 2 1/2 hours we spend before and after the show getting in and out of costume, etc.)
It would have been a spectacular day: the weather was gorgeous, the kids were well behaved, the performances were great.... If I hadn't managed to let my $1500 camera disappear.
Yup.
It was literally the first thing that happened to me when I got in the park. I had it out in the parking lot, and on the tram. I also remember having it when we went through the security check. Then I picked up the group tickets... passed them out to the kids. (At this point I don't remember if my camera was in or out of the bag.) Then I sat out in front of the gate and talked with one of the parent chaperons for about twenty minutes. Eventually we all went inside the park... at which point I split off from the chaperons saying "I'm going to go take some pictures"
Not five minutes later I'm standing in front of the Walt/Mickey statue looking at the inside of my empty camera bag. I probably should have noticed earlier that it was light (but not that light... it still had my speed flash, iPod, car keys and a bunch of other stuff in it.)
I ran back to the gate, and out to the group ticket window. They directed me to the Lost & Found. I also talked with the guy at the security check....
nada...
I went back to the Lost & Found office four or five times throughout the day. Eventually I just filled out a lost item report form and gave up.
The wierd thing is that I have no memory of being anywhere where I would have put it down. People told me they saw the camera around my next when I went into the park. So I don't see how it could have gotten away from me in the five minutes that it took for me to walk down Main Street to where I forst noticed it was gone. I didn't stop in any of the shops. I didn't use the restroom. It just vanished.
And this was all within the first half-hour of getting into the park. Talk about a buzz kill. I spent the rest of the day going through the "5 Stages of Mouring"... okay everything except for the "acceptance" part. I haven't hit that yet.
I'm supposed to call Disney's L&F tomorrow. They said that they don't get everything sent to them right away... they go around and collect stuff from the park at the end of the day. There's a chance they might get it tomorrow.
I'm not holding my breath.
*Sigh* At least I still have my old camera and some decent lenses. It still takes great pics, it just a little shy on the megapixels for my taste. I'll eventually replace the one I lost, but it's going to take a while.
It would have been a spectacular day: the weather was gorgeous, the kids were well behaved, the performances were great.... If I hadn't managed to let my $1500 camera disappear.
Yup.
It was literally the first thing that happened to me when I got in the park. I had it out in the parking lot, and on the tram. I also remember having it when we went through the security check. Then I picked up the group tickets... passed them out to the kids. (At this point I don't remember if my camera was in or out of the bag.) Then I sat out in front of the gate and talked with one of the parent chaperons for about twenty minutes. Eventually we all went inside the park... at which point I split off from the chaperons saying "I'm going to go take some pictures"
Not five minutes later I'm standing in front of the Walt/Mickey statue looking at the inside of my empty camera bag. I probably should have noticed earlier that it was light (but not that light... it still had my speed flash, iPod, car keys and a bunch of other stuff in it.)
I ran back to the gate, and out to the group ticket window. They directed me to the Lost & Found. I also talked with the guy at the security check....
nada...
I went back to the Lost & Found office four or five times throughout the day. Eventually I just filled out a lost item report form and gave up.
The wierd thing is that I have no memory of being anywhere where I would have put it down. People told me they saw the camera around my next when I went into the park. So I don't see how it could have gotten away from me in the five minutes that it took for me to walk down Main Street to where I forst noticed it was gone. I didn't stop in any of the shops. I didn't use the restroom. It just vanished.
And this was all within the first half-hour of getting into the park. Talk about a buzz kill. I spent the rest of the day going through the "5 Stages of Mouring"... okay everything except for the "acceptance" part. I haven't hit that yet.
I'm supposed to call Disney's L&F tomorrow. They said that they don't get everything sent to them right away... they go around and collect stuff from the park at the end of the day. There's a chance they might get it tomorrow.
I'm not holding my breath.
*Sigh* At least I still have my old camera and some decent lenses. It still takes great pics, it just a little shy on the megapixels for my taste. I'll eventually replace the one I lost, but it's going to take a while.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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