"When I Grow Up"

Hello Music Educators! I hope everyone has had a successful semester thus far, I know I have! As always, the fall is a very busy semester with marching band rehearsals, musical practice, and general classes, but we need to take the time to breathe and do things that we truly enjoy.

One thing I really enjoy is getting comfortable with the otherwise unknown parts of my major. I am classified as a "band person" because I have been in all but two bands. Yet, I love singing and playing in the orchestra as well. One of my major goals for the last year-and-a-half is to get involved with the choirs, the orchestra, and some of our novelty ensembles on campus. For the longest time, I wanted to be a high school band director because that was the know-all, be-all of my music education goals. I wanted to perform great band literature in concert band, play pop tunes at basketball games, and have a fantastic marching band. My goal was to be like all the awesome band teachers I used to know while at High Plains Band Camp in high school. But now I am expanding my horizons. Do not get me wrong, I cannot wait to teach band, but I have seen that there are other things out there for me.

Over the last few semesters, I have changed my idea of my "dream job." I am sure many of you have probably done so at least once every semester! At this point in my college career, I have found a passion for elementary school children and beginning band. I want to teach little kids how to play the clarinet. I know I will hear horrible noises most of the time because my band director did! I just think that the "aha" moment when a student can play 'Hot Crossed Buns' for her or his parents is the greatest feeling ever.

In addition to fifth grade band, I would love the chance to teach beginning strings and mariachi. I really became interested during the summer in teaching mariachi because it has such a rich history and great benefits for students. Plus, as my string teacher would say, it is FUN! I am a big advocate for providing as many opportunities for students as possible and those are just a few ideas.

The moral of the story is that it is completely okay not to know what you want to do "when you grow up." I change my mind every day! My advice to you is to make yourself marketable by getting involved in things that you think are awesome. Perhaps you enjoy world drumming or are interested in mariachi or want to take up an instrument like guitar or mandolin. DO IT WHILE THE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE! Search for conferences and associations to which you can belong, for example the Texas Association of Mariachi Educators. Enroll in classes that are outside your graduation plan and volunteer with your local arts alliance. These opportunities will help you see what you want to do when you "grow up."