I have been hired to be in the pit orchestra for the Theatre Guild at Georgia Perimeter College's production of "Jekyll & Hyde". I love do these pit orchestra gigs: you really have to pay attention to what is going on. For this production, I'm playing the woodwind 3 book : Clarinet,bass clarinet and alto saxophone. Being primarily a saxophone player, I find parts of this book to be really difficult. The book is really a clarinet/bass clarinet book. I play sax on one piece.
I thought I was just going to embarrass myself. I'm playing better than I thought. I just have to be confident and count; if I do that I will be O.K. It is also good to know that everyone is missing entrances and cues and that EVERYONE is practicing their parts at home.
Tonight we do not have rehearsal so I'm going to chill at home with my wife and daughter. Until next time...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Modifications
After talking with Mrs.Passmore, I realize that the last thing I need to write about is work. Even though I couldn't care less what people think of me, I have to be careful about what I write. I don't need anyone taking anything that I say out of context, or misunderstanding anything. I don't blog to offend anyone or to tear down. I write because I want a record of things that happen in my life; it's that simple.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Update from previous week
I know it has been a week since I last wrote. A lot has happened
1. I got to spend some time with the family. Yea!!!!
2. I did a few gigs (I still haven't been paid for them yet).
3. I got my hands on a bass clarinet for a musical that I am performing w/ Georgia Perimeter College
One of the craziest things happened today:
I was walking to the bus area, where I have duty at the end of the day. I had all of my materials to put into my truck so that I don't have to be bothered after bus duty. My principal was at the end of the hall. She comes up to meet me and ask,"Mr. Passmore, are you trying to slip out of the building?" I told her,"With the stuff that I have and my size,I can't be missed"! I was trying to make a joke; she KNOWS I have bus duty at the end of the day. I had the CB radio in my hand!!! The next thing she asked me was to ride the bus SHE was supposed to ride (the teachers at my school ride the bus with the students so that they will behave; total waste of time!!!!!!!!!)The next words out of her mouth were,"We have to find ways to keep you here!"
I can't believe that she thought I would leave early right in front of her face!!! Based on this and other events that have happen this semester, I really believe that she thinks I don't do anything for the children. I'm not going to rant and rave about what I do;however I will say 2 things:
1.I do what I'm allow to do by the administration and the students. If the students allow me to teach, fantastic. If they want to misbehave and throw away their futures, God be with them.
2.I have a life outside of my school and I REFUSE to let my J.O.B. get in the way of taking care of and spending time w/my family. When work time is over,I leave; it's that simple! Staying to 6:00 PM (there are a few teacher at my school who do this), will not help my classes or my status in the building at all.I can replace a job. I can't replace a wife and child.
This is starting to make me upset again. I'll go now.Bye.
1. I got to spend some time with the family. Yea!!!!
2. I did a few gigs (I still haven't been paid for them yet).
3. I got my hands on a bass clarinet for a musical that I am performing w/ Georgia Perimeter College
One of the craziest things happened today:
I was walking to the bus area, where I have duty at the end of the day. I had all of my materials to put into my truck so that I don't have to be bothered after bus duty. My principal was at the end of the hall. She comes up to meet me and ask,"Mr. Passmore, are you trying to slip out of the building?" I told her,"With the stuff that I have and my size,I can't be missed"! I was trying to make a joke; she KNOWS I have bus duty at the end of the day. I had the CB radio in my hand!!! The next thing she asked me was to ride the bus SHE was supposed to ride (the teachers at my school ride the bus with the students so that they will behave; total waste of time!!!!!!!!!)The next words out of her mouth were,"We have to find ways to keep you here!"
I can't believe that she thought I would leave early right in front of her face!!! Based on this and other events that have happen this semester, I really believe that she thinks I don't do anything for the children. I'm not going to rant and rave about what I do;however I will say 2 things:
1.I do what I'm allow to do by the administration and the students. If the students allow me to teach, fantastic. If they want to misbehave and throw away their futures, God be with them.
2.I have a life outside of my school and I REFUSE to let my J.O.B. get in the way of taking care of and spending time w/my family. When work time is over,I leave; it's that simple! Staying to 6:00 PM (there are a few teacher at my school who do this), will not help my classes or my status in the building at all.I can replace a job. I can't replace a wife and child.
This is starting to make me upset again. I'll go now.Bye.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Change Pt. 2
I will start by saying this: I love teaching. I have 2 sets of students: The ones I see everyday at my school and my private students. My private students are running circles around my public school kids. To get to the point: My public school students think that my class doesn't mean much and they can do whatever they want. Today, I had to remind my 5th grade students "who's the man". They got my point: If they don't want to be taught anything,they will be treated as such! I can hear you now; "How dare you refuse to teach!!!" I'm not refusing to teach exactly. I'm only teaching as much as I'm allowed. If they allow me 10 min before they begin to be obnoxious, that's what they will get.
I CONSTANTLY tell my students THEY are responsible for THEIR future!!! It doesn't matter what my principal says, nor superintendent, No Child Left Behind, whatever!!!!! They can blame me and take away my certificate; the students STILL have to go to school and get educated. My public school kids don't realize that they have more control over their futures than they realize.
I guess most kids are like that. I was not. I had plans for my life from about 6th grade on. It change when I got to 10th grade biology. I knew who I wanted to marry (at least I thought I did). I guess i was the exception to the rule. I don't know.
I keep getting the feeling that I need to transfer. My wife and I always say "There is crap in every toilet." No matter where I end up, there will be issues. Even knowing that, I think I will still transfer. One former principal told me that she never stayed anywhere longer than 5-6 years. She was always looking to grow as an educator.
I'll keep everyone posted. Right now, I just need to have a positive attitude for the rest of the year and stay strong. Good night.
I CONSTANTLY tell my students THEY are responsible for THEIR future!!! It doesn't matter what my principal says, nor superintendent, No Child Left Behind, whatever!!!!! They can blame me and take away my certificate; the students STILL have to go to school and get educated. My public school kids don't realize that they have more control over their futures than they realize.
I guess most kids are like that. I was not. I had plans for my life from about 6th grade on. It change when I got to 10th grade biology. I knew who I wanted to marry (at least I thought I did). I guess i was the exception to the rule. I don't know.
I keep getting the feeling that I need to transfer. My wife and I always say "There is crap in every toilet." No matter where I end up, there will be issues. Even knowing that, I think I will still transfer. One former principal told me that she never stayed anywhere longer than 5-6 years. She was always looking to grow as an educator.
I'll keep everyone posted. Right now, I just need to have a positive attitude for the rest of the year and stay strong. Good night.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Change
The title of this posting is called "change": This is exactly what I have been thinking about for the past few months. Here are some of the changes that are happening to me (or I have been thinking about):
1. I will be starting school as a graduate student for a 2nd Masters Degree. This is going to require at least 20-25 hrs of study and work a week for the next 12 months.
2. One of the groups that I play with on a regular basis has lost all of the steady gigs that the group had. The ironic thing about it is that I have been thinking about reducing my time with this group. This is the group I have done most of my gigs with for the past 3-4 years. It has been heavy on my heart recently because of some of the gigs we have done. I believe that I'm getting tired of playing in the late night clubs that stay open until 3-4 in the morning( I'll write more detail in another posting).
I'm tired. I really can't think right now. Bye!
1. I will be starting school as a graduate student for a 2nd Masters Degree. This is going to require at least 20-25 hrs of study and work a week for the next 12 months.
2. One of the groups that I play with on a regular basis has lost all of the steady gigs that the group had. The ironic thing about it is that I have been thinking about reducing my time with this group. This is the group I have done most of my gigs with for the past 3-4 years. It has been heavy on my heart recently because of some of the gigs we have done. I believe that I'm getting tired of playing in the late night clubs that stay open until 3-4 in the morning( I'll write more detail in another posting).
I'm tired. I really can't think right now. Bye!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
It's official
It's official; I have been accepted into Full Sail University in the Education Media Design and Technology program. They even gave me a teacher's scholarship worth about $12,000. This makes the cost cheaper than going to Georgia State or West Georgia. I always wanted to do something in technology, but I wasn't sure what direction I should go. This program is an instructional technology program; this will give me the option of leaving the classroom or changing teaching fields. I'm enjoying the next 2 1/2 weeks from studying and doing homework. Starting Oct. 24, I will be working a ton. I will be done with this Masters program in 12 months. I plan to go straight to a Ed.S degree or a doctorate degree in music education; I'm not really sure. I have decided that once I'm done with school this time, I will be done. I want to go all the way; I just hope I can keep my sanity.
I'm tired
I need a break!!!!!!!! I've been playng around town and teaching w/o a weekend break for months (teaching has been for 9 weeks).I leave my house between 6:30-7:00 and I don't get home sometimes until 8-9PM. I'm just worn out. I'm glad that next weekend I don't have any gigs or teaching to do. The Passmores are going to take a trip to Nashville, TN (one of our favorite places) for the weekend of Oct.17. I'm ready to do now!
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