But this job is very challenging. I'm not referring to the fact that it's a lot of work, because I really don't mind that at all, granted that I have the time to work. But there are certain aspects of this job that make it challenging in other ways. For one thing, teaching lessons is a very inconsistent profession. What I mean is that even with 25 scheduled students each week, you can't count on teaching all 25 students each week like you plan. You get cancellations for illnesses or family trips or whatever, or what I hate the most, people forget their lessons. All of this stuff factors in to a loss of resources. I don't want to be one of those teachers that says "You will pay for every week of lessons whether you are there or not" because I want to retain students, and I feel like that kind of policy will drive them away. Not until I have 40 students and a waitlist will I start enacting that policy. Plus, I don't think that's always fair when kids get sick or some unavoidable circumstance comes up...they shouldn't have to pay for that.
Of course, when people forget to show up for lessons, I do expect them to pay, and they usually know they need to. That's simply just not cool. It's gotten to the point where now I have to remember to send a reminder to them!
But that's kind of the realistic truth of it. Here on Whidbey Island, the kind of people who sign their kid up for lessons are very busy people who's kid is involved in 100 different extracurricular things. I'm not apposed to that at all. I just wish we could have our lesson every week.
Another thing I'm having trouble with is my Harbor Brass Choir, which is my middle school brass group. Now, this trouble mainly stems from the fact that I'm not really super-great with children. Not growing up around children or having siblings, I've taken a very long time to develop a sense of patience. I also don't have any experience teaching a group of children. I guess what I'm getting at is that when I conduct my Harbor Brass Choir each week, I have to remember that they are in middle school. They don't necessarily think in a businesslike manner about the rehearsal technique--they're there to have fun. The mistake I've been making is that I've been rehearsing them too much. We only meet for 1 hour each week, I really just need to get them playing the music more and rehearsing less. I think that will solve so many more problems right now then trying to be meticulous. For one thing, they won't always remember what we rehearse. And plus, when I work with a certain section or individual, it's a perfect chance for the others to lose their focus. So I just need them to play. That's how it has to work.
And, of course, i have to mention the lack of performance opportunities for professional musicians here...actually, no, I don't have to mention it. You people already know that.
So I sort of apologize for the complacent tone of this blog, but I appreciate your understanding. This job, just like any other job, comes with its challenges that I have to overcome. But if you notice, I have solutions to make things better. Because I believe there's always a way. That's how a professional musician thinks.
Take care and value music.