Music Manic turned Hypocrite

I remember a time when I used to daydream in Dr. Longton's 20th century theory class to the soothing sonorities of Webern, Schoenberg, Cage and Ives. I thought, what is this?? My ears are bleeding and Prepared Piano should prepare to die... Then I made home videos on my digital camera as everyone else in class was at a higher state of listening or sleep. I somewhat understood the techniques of serialism but never truly appreciated its complexity or craftsmanship.

TODAY: I was asked to give a 50 minute lecture on the first three Sonata's by John Cage for prepared piano. Pretty much, Cage tied the strings of a piano together with screws, elastics and other common kitchen devices to liberate sound and present something 'new' to the musical community. He even used a rhythmic cell structure of 4,1,2, 4,1,2, 2,4, 2,4 in Binary form to tie the first Sonata together. Without turning this entry into a lecture, I must admit I've become baby dr. longton. I had to watch the faces of my students listen to three Sonatas back to back, while they desperately tried to stay awake or go completely mad. WE had a laugh when I tried to relate how they felt to my experiences.. I've become "The teacher who plays wacko music in theory class"... I feel like such a faker, but maybe I can help my students fake there way through this stuff as many have done before them - maybe I'll even uncover someone who truly appreciates it... or maybe they will "prepare" to go just as crazy as I did in 20th century music class....

London's Calling

Efin eh:) what a wonderful weekend in London. I couldn't have asked for it better. Saw Trafalgar Square with Admiral Lord Nelson; Les Miserables in a West London theatre - the longest running musical ever; Met up and drank wine with Heather and her 'faulkin deadly' Irish roomates; Saw Avril and Chris and went out for Aaaaamazing - let me repeat Amaaaaazing Turkish food including Turkish delights; was intimidated with the number of nightclubs I could have danced at sans t-shirt; survived "the tube" and made 25 second transfers like I was a pro; had a snake bite at the "Roundabout" aussie bar; enjoyed some of the best French Toast ever - compliments of Heather & some of the best poached pairs compliments of her 'faulkin deadly' roomate David; and saw marble statues at a museum that were so detailed they even included tendons, nail beds and veins....

Wowsers that's a breathfull, besides the great company of my Canadian Contingent in London, I must say 'Les Mis' won the weekend. It was such a great performance. They had a circular revolving stage, sets and lighting that were unparallel and the vocal parts were superb. I'm hooked, a musical a month from this day foward. There's so much culture here to explore and at the prices of the low season how can I resist? The public transport here is phenominal. They have such a large clientel base that they run trains all over the country ever hour. A weekend get away to most European destinations is under 200 pounds - i'm destined to become a travel slut. I'm revelling in all the possibilities.

I made it back to Coventry on a late train sunday and have picked things up from last week. Whatever the weeks bring, the weekend get aways are well worth every gray hair. This is the adventure I've been looking for!!!

You know when Friday night sorta melts into Sunday moring??

WOW, do I feel good. I just had my first weekend off and I'm loving it. All my prep done on Friday, played football with some of the other teachers in the afternoon, hit up the pub for dinner, a second pub for more drinks and then a Night Club to wrapp things up splendidly. I was informed by my collegues about 1/2 of our senior class was at the club as well - so good thing it was dark??? Saturday became recooperation/movie time/preparartion for Saturday night out. It was crazy, nite clubs here are consistantly busy. Lucky enough it's within walking distance, or should I say stumbling distance from home: And yes I did make it home;)

I met all sorts of people Saturday night. Friendly cougars, bar stars, 20 somethings and some "unclassifieds" who were far more interesting then the rest. They give out nudy magazines at the clubs here as well... let me say I was a little bit caught off guard but I've heard Europe is a little more liberal?? I now have inexpensive xmas presents to send back to the likes of Brian and Kyle.... Next weekend will be a repeat performance headed to london to see Heather, Luke and hopefully Avril. Should be a good time - I'll keep you posted!! Friday was a wonderful end to last week, and I think Monday will bring much more the same;)

First year teaching is like Menopause...

[warning warning warning this entry becomes a total teacher rant]

First year teaching is totally like menopause; hot & cold; hit & miss; one day your doing fine and then..... WHAM down the toilet. I think I sometimes appear to be a massive case of bipolar disorder. One class i'm praising my year 9s, the next i'm aiming for them on the way out the parking lot. Or I think the year 7's are really making progress until they suddenly can't identify crotchet notes (British equivalent of quarter notes). I haven't cracked yet, but sometimes I wonder if the kids are learning anything at all?? The phrase "can we surf the internet" at the beginning of some music classes is like a putting a needle through both my eyes sideways. There truly are days when I wonder if I can hack it or if I’m absolute "rubbish".

Three funny scenarios:

I used the name "Fanny" as an example of a nickname for Francis. I guess Fanny means Vagina here.....

A girl said she couldn't do something, and I attempted some British slang and said "Bollocks"..... apparently Bollocks means "Bullshit" and is quite rude

I told my students to put there workbooks in the Blue Plastic Bin near the door at the end of class. I had a blue tray set aside for this. They all threw their books into the garbage next to my blue tray because "bin" means garbage can.

I now have no sympathy for people who say teachers have it easy since "We" get the summer off.... The last two weeks I've worked 8 hours a day and then prepped 3 hours every night in preparation for the next day. Last weekend was organizing "Extra curricular clubs" and tonight was spent "Meeting the Parents" for 1 out of 7 age groups. Soon it'll be evening concerts and extra help. There are great rewards to teaching but it's a tough gig. No wonder teachers get grumpy when they don't feel valued or get pay cuts under par to the business world...

[warning warning warning THIS is totally turning into a rant......]

Lastly, On top of preparing every lesson. I am assigned a group of 25 students to Tutor like "Homeroom" - every teacher here does this. I track their progress throughout school, collaborate with subject teachers for discipline problems and give them support on a personal level. I have to write a report on their social and emotional development (25 reports above and beyond my teaching). This stuff is great, but talk about stretching yourself thin....

I'm looking forward to some non-teaching adventures. This weekend I'm going to stack my work up Friday night and power through until I 'getter all done'. Then I will take Saturday and Sunday to Relax. My new philosophy is keep work at work, even if that includes staying until 6pm every night. I must find a balance - Motto: work to live; not live to work...

First Daze of School;)

What a whirlwind day: school uniforms, Harry potter keys, “Sir”, general music, and sweating like crazy in a new suit. I can’t wait for my first paycheque; I’m finally getting paid to do this stuff! But this ain’t concert band, snare drums, flutes and tubas anymore, Erika has her hands full of that in Kelowna; my year at North Leamington is all about general music. I have one year 7 class, two year 8 classes, and three year 9 classes at the jr. high level. Each class takes mandatory music twice a week and they’re definitely keeping me busy. At the high school level, years 10 & 11 music is an elective and I teach one group of year 10’s five times a fortnight. To graduate high school music they have to perform 1 solo, 1 ensemble piece, write 2 compositions and write 2 exams for theory, history and listening. The exams are Nationally marked at the end of year 11 including the recordings of their performances... a bit different than Canada eh?? It was funny when they gave me keys for the different classrooms because they’re like the ones you buy for a treasure chest or ancient attic – I feel like I’m unlocking Pandora’s box before every lesson.

Our school also has an Arts college attached for years 12 & 13 (similar to grade 13 in Ontario or CEGEP in Quebec). In music we cover some 1st and 2nd year university material. I though I left 20th century music behind in Victoria, but our first semester is on 12-tone music, minimalism and Webern... let’s just say I have some review/relearning to do – I’ll try not to fall asleep this time through. I’m about a day ahead of the Music Tech class. They compose/analyze music for movie soundtracks, create 8 track MIDI files and record live music performances overtop. Apologies for all the teacher talk, but it’s a bit different than what I had expected to teach in Canada. The next couple months are going to be a pretty steep learning curve!!!



This past weekend I went to the cathedral in Coventry. It’s a massive building bombed by the Germans in WWII. I can’t believe they could build these humungous stone structures 100’s of years ago. The wooden cross was erected the morning after the attack constructed of wood splinters from the demolished ceiling. Locals make fun of me because they see these buildings everyday, and I’m always so impressed and want to stop to check them all out. My last picture is of my roommate Sarah and I. We had just finished a staff meeting and ended up in one of the local pubs for a pint of beer. In England, it’s almost customary to have a pint of beer whenever you go out for dinner. The lagers are quite refreshing so I’m a big fan of English customs. Sit me down to a meat pie and pint of Fosters any day!!!