Summer Vacation

Well Summer Vacation is officially upon most teachers(at least in Illinois). This is my second summer vacation as a teacher. It is a fantastic feeling, knowing that I taught my students so many things. Maybe I should blog about those things since it'll be nice to look back on some of the things we accomplished together. However, this is not the time nor the post!

Last year I spent the summer working a for a summer theater group and getting things in order for the next year. I moved to Peoria and I have really enjoyed the city. Hopefully my towns will keep getting bigger as my career continues. I had a lot more work to do last year, but I think as a third year teacher I'm starting to get in the groove. I'm finding what works.

This summer I'm trying to expand myself and with the help of my free-spirited girlfriend of almost two years, I think it's the perfect time for it! I have already done some new things for me, such as getting a library card. I had one in my hometown, but let's be honest the Peoria Library System is a little different than that of my hometown of population 1,400. So how will my summer be spent you ask?

I am currently reading a book called "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles. It's about a brotherhood of 16 year old boys at a New England boarding school during the World War II era. It's supposedly a classic piece of literature and I'm in enjoying it very much. It's prose is well-written and the story of these boys loss of innocence is intriguing. It makes me wonder what my job as a music teacher would have been like back then or would I have been called to war...I'm sure my asthma would've barred me from the draft come to think of it.

I plan to take some type of trip, but I haven't settled on the right kind of trip. Camping and outdoor adventures? A place of historic value? Somewhere that seems indulgent? To be honest I'd like to be on tour with a drum corps...I need to see if I can get on staff somewhere next summer, what an adventure that would be. As of now I'm just going to a couple of weddings in July. Why do people insist on getting married in the hottest months of the year? I digress.

I am going to begin planning more specific year long goals and start thinking about literature for next years groups. I will probably grab a couple books to energize my teaching techniques. I know I will be going back over my Ed Lisk book. I think I'm going to utilize even more of that book with my classes this year. I also am going to start looking into grad schools, going back might be in my future.

Of course there will be time spent at the pool and grilling at my apartment. I love being a creative cook. Jes and I like exploring the local restaurants and I will make frequent trips to Buffalo Wild Wings to play trivia. In fact, she just texted me to go to one of our favorite new spots, Sullivan's in Peoria Heights. Make to check it out if you're in the area!

That's all for now. I hope all of you are enjoying your summer, no matter how you choose to spend it. Any ideas for me? Feel free to comment with some great tips.

IMEA Conference

I always love the All-State Conference in Peoria. Here's why:

• It brings together music teachers from all over the state!
• The best students in IL get to perform and have great experiences.(I was so glad one of mine got this opportunity)
• I get to go clinics where I learn new things and talk about how to improve myself.
• Of course there's also the exhibit hall...can't go wrong with all that cheesecake.
• Best of all it reignites my passions so I get to be the person I want to be.

This past weekend was the conference and it delivered. I was able to do all of these things. I'm tired, but since one of the sessions has resparked my interest in my professional blog I thought I'd spend my Sunday afternoon blogging a little. So here's "How I Spent My All-State Weekend".

My student and I took off from the HS right as first hour was starting. It was nice to get everything ready and then get on the road. It's also nice that we only at 45 minutes from the conference. We listened to some Coltrane to get the vibe going for his audition. Did I mention he was a tenor player? Anyway, we got there with plenty of time to spare. I got him settled for his audition and then went to register.

Awesome Moment #1 - When I returned he was jamming on an Ellington tune with five other kids who were waiting to audition. How cool that this is what they chose to do, a bunch of 17 year olds who had never met, just playing.

After all was said and done I headed off to sessions where I got a text from him saying he was lead tenor All-State Jazz Band. It was the perfect place for him to be as a junior. However, anywhere in the state bands would be an honor. We met up for food after some rehearsal and...

Awesome Moment #2 - Over meals I had a chance to talk with him a lot. I really wish more of my students could have experienced this, but it couldn't have happened to a more humble kid. He got quiet and when I asked what was up he just talk about how the "magnitude" of this whole event was blowing him away. He couldn't believe he was worthy of this. He is.

We had a little bit of hotel drama. There was water damage and we were just weren't in the nicest place anyway. I guess I shouldn't really complain since our school does cover it all. We got back to the hotel around 10:30 and both went right to sleep. It was a great first day.

The second day was more of the same. I went to some great sessions by Milt Allen from EIU. I wonder how EIU would be for graduate work. I had lunch with some other teachers, one the guy I student taught under, the other my predecessor at EPG. It was cool to just talk shop(and other things) with friends.

Awesome Moment #3 - As I left lunch it was cool to reflect on all of the conferences I had attended here. I was able to go as a senior in high school. I went every year of college and then student teaching. Last year I was a teacher with no students and this year with a student. It's been different, but enjoyable in every stage. I'm pretty lucky huh?

That night was the concert. When the students got out of rehearsal we went to dinner, but I sat across the restaurant. Now he had made friends and I wanted to give him space. How cool. We made it over to the concert and I took my seat in a box. I love the box seating in the Civic Center Theatre. I was more nervous than he was, but when he finished his first solo the place went nuts. I can't even imagine how he felt. I'm so glad IMEA gives this opportunity to these kids.

Awesome Moment #4 - Seeing a student that I see everyday successfully soloing on stage at the All-State Conference in front of hundreds.

That night I went out with Ben and Jordan, two of the Galesburg band guys. We sat for a couple hours just talking about students I'd known and everything else you could imagine. I really miss that district. I had a really great experience there, maybe someday I'll be back. Band directors are kind of nomadic aren't they?

The next morning is the reason I am back here blogging away. I went a clinic about this stuff because I'm presenting next month at my school about using blogs as a communication tool. I was shocked that after speaking a little at the end of Mrs. Muench's clinic a few people came up to ask about my blogging specific to being a band director.

Awesome Moment #5 - The IMEA Technology Chair asked me to submit for presenting next year. I was flattered for sure. I thought only experienced teachers and college professors got to do that, but he was for sure I'd have something to offer.

The conference was slowing down. I walked the exhibit hall and saw that my band's new uniforms were being featured at the DeMoulin booth. Again, pretty cool that they thought that highly of my design. After saying some goodbyes, I turned in my CPDU's and walked out.

I think I slept for the next 20 hours, but it was worth it. I am already excited for next year!

ICC Honor Band

To the left: Jeff(tpt-soph), Jessie(euph-soph), Miranda(horn-jr), Mark(tpt-jr), Danny(alto sax-jr), and I after peforming in the First Annual ICC Honor Band Festival in East Peoria, IL.

We performed with ICC students, high school students, and the 85th Division Army Band for a packed house.

The program was called an American Celebration and featured your standard patriotic music as well as some original band literature.

I had a great time attending this event with my students. We spent a whole Saturday during Spring Break rehearsing and meeting the other musicians. I'm lucky that they're all underclassmen as I look forward to the growth they will make over the next year(s).

I was lucky enough to be approached by both conductors about coming out to see my band. I hope to have Mr. Jones and Commander Walker both out at my high school over the next year. What a cool experience this proved to be and I hope to participate again next year.