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Patricia Baser

just another average week

September 8, 2007 at 1:53 PM

Even though we had Monday off, it's been a wild week. Yesterday, out of the blue, one of my best students had a sudden "break from reality". Nothing had happened; the student just totally became nonfunctional.

I finally was relieved of the music appreciation class that was scheduled in place of my planning period. It took a near melt down on my part to get it. There's nothing like being asked to teach something with no established curriculum. Who wouldn't enjoy spending an extra 10-12 hours a week developing materials for an overcrowded class populated with the biggest discipline problems in the school. Students doodling gang graffiti on whatever was available just added to the charm.

This past week in our community, several high school girls were arrested for beating up another girl at a fast-food restaurant, taping it, and then posting it on myspace. Last week, it was a hostage crisis at a house near school (luckily resolved without incident).

This week's symphony program is a good antidote to some of the craziness. We are playing La Forza del Destino(gotta love that last page), Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #2 and the fourth symphony of Brahms. The Brahms is one of my favorite symphonies, so I can just play and forget all that other nonsense, at least until it rolls around again on Monday.



From Albert Justice
Posted on September 8, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Just be glad the dramas are somewhat at a distance with exception to the MA class. I'm getting into Yoga--immediately.

If it's any comfort--you are not alone.

I had MA in High School and loved it. I'm sorry it was structured as it was for you. You could have touched a lot of kids under the right circumstances.

Likewise, I've seen this funky structuring more than once. Art, general music.... "We'll just send them all to a 'nice' place". Babysitting at it's best.

From Ruth Kuefler
Posted on September 9, 2007 at 4:44 AM
Wow, sounds like it's been a tough week. Hope things are going better soon . . . at least you have some great music to look forward to. There's been more than one time that I've been cheered up or comforted by listening to something I loved.
From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on September 9, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Brahms #4 is awesome! I hope playing it can transport you away from the other stuff.

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