Oh boy...

this semester is going to be crazy! Between 18 hours of graduate assistant work, 12 credit hours, orchestra and practicing, I'm going to be running quite a bit. I'm taking:

Private Conducting lessons

English Diction/IPA

Music History and Research

Independent Study: Orchestral Repertoire

My graduate assistantship is in the following:

6 hours - Theory III (This is very ironic, but basically I grade homework/tests, tutor and set up the class room)

6 hours - Orchestra (Setting up the orchestra seats, taking care of the music library and conducting)

3 hours - Basic Conducting (Co-teaching and also help with set-up)

2 hours - Music Office (working in the music office, answering phones, etc.)

1 hour - House Manager (working at recitals/concerts where I set up the hall, turn on lights, set out programs, watch the door so no one is walking around while people are playing, etc.)

So yeah, it's a bit insane. I like it so far. All the professors and staff are really nice! I can tell that I'm going to learn a lot here. The only thing I'm bummed about now is the conducting lesson I just came from. I know I'm here to learn, but I have this awful need for perfection and it really gets me down sometimes. I love conducting so much and I really just want to get up there and do it, but there is a lot to learn first. Hopefully, I will be on the podium soon.

For something to listen to, here is one of Beethoven's symphonies. Symphony No. 1. This piece is different because it is Symphony No.1 in C minor, but instead of starting the first movement on a C minor chord, he starts it on a V7 chord. This was very unusual for the time! Beethoven truly was an innovator and I'm sure this made just a few people upset. :) Enjoy!