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Jazzin' Up
Jan. 15th, 2009 09:39 pmI failed to write after last Tuesday's post. A lot has happened since then.
Classes have started and I've worked out almost all of the kinks.
I forgot to mention that I took tests last week for english and German proficiency and placement.
I received an 84 on the reading section and a perfect 8 on the writing section.
The proctor in the special needs department said that in her seven years of being at MCC, I was the first student who received a perfect on the writing. She was super impressed with me. The department was encouraging me to pursue honors english rather than stay in regular english. I don't know if I will do this or not. I took the German proficiency on Friday of last week.
I placed into German 2. But there were a couple mix-ups with that class. They had dropped it out of the system due to lack of students. The director of the special needs department pulled some strings and I got to do an independent study. Yay - individual attention. I am in a class with 6 other people. They are studying at a higher level than I. Overall, it's not bad.
Monday classes started at 11 AM. Kudos to Barb for getting us to class late. The choir director had us sing warm-ups. Jim didn't like the chromatic pitches and was whistle-whining. The class laughed as the director stated Jim was singing with us. The director dismissed the chicks and tested voice parts for the men. I hung out with Barb and Tracy and we went to offices and took care of business. I walked into Music appreciation. The professor was very interesting and alert. He caught my attention. Barb, Jim, and I left for Barb's house in search of food. Fortunately, she had some food. I got back to MCC and was almost late for my class. I walked around the third floor of the A building because I was confused as to how the numbers corresponded. I found the class and realized that it was right next to the elevator. So much for being on time.... After class, Adam drove me to TKD. It was amusing as always.
Tuesday, I experienced German and how they teach it in college. Adam and I arrived on campus and played some BINGO. I also ate lunch with some people I knew. You wouldn't believe how many people I know at community college.
Wednesday was my long day. I had choir at 11 AM, which we were late for again. I sang for my voice part. Jim watched cautiously from the sidelines while I was at the piano with Barb and two other girls. Barb and I were the two strongest in our little group. We went to the cafeteria and ate our food. I moseyed back to the music wing and listened to Mr. Hillstrom lecture. It was actually interesting and I learned things. Kudos to finally learning how to read music efficiently. After that class, Barb and I worked on music and our voices. I went into the freezing cold and brought my trumpet and Barb's books from the car. Jim hung out with Barb while I went outside. He got to be out of harness and lazed around. Barb and I were hungry and at the very last second before my english class started I had to spring to English holding and navigating a guide dog with my left hand and balancing a plate with a burger and onion rings with my right hand. The hallway was full and it was difficult not to run into people. Quite the amusing experience..... I had the burger finished and then my class started. I left my onion rings on the desk outside of the room. I did this because the room was filled with computers and I didn't want to accidentally destroy one by dropping a greasy onion ring somewhere. We were released early. Jim and I walked to the music wing again. Barb was in her theory class. She was taking a break so I talked with her and other people from her class. I watched some videos on Youtube as I waited for Barb's class to be finished. They finished around 6:55 PM. Barb came out and gave me my trumpet. I walked into the ensemble room and met new people. My friend from high school, Ryan was also in the band. The director for the Jazz band is super nice. We started out playing a piece entitled Sister Sadie and worked on it for an hour. They wanted me to solo, but I was too chicken. We moved on to play Samba de Orfeu. I played a little bit. It was so much fun! I was one of 4 new people in the ensemble. THere are only two trumpet players including myself. Bruce is a very nice guy. Kudos to him for refining his passion for jazz music. The rehearsal was over before I knew it. It was a blast! I am really looking forward to next week. I was given the book to take home with me to memorize the music.
Yesterday, THursday, I only had German. I hung out with Maggie and Katie for two hours. I also found out that financial aid came through for me. I will be getting a refund for all of my money I spent at MCC. I went to my German class. During my class, a guy named Chris offered to buy my book for me. He was very nice. I was flattered by his sincere effort to help me. I'll write more about my thoughts later. I came home and spent time listening to Miles Davis and doing other small things.
Overall, perhaps I am excited about being at a community college. There are more people I know there and atmosphere is comfortable. I am not afraid of trying new things. My plans include auditioning for the play on Tuesday and auditioning for a small voice ensemble. Perhaps I will savor these moments instead of whisking myself to finish at a faster pace.... I'm really considering enjoying myself rather than being miserable.
Classes have started and I've worked out almost all of the kinks.
I forgot to mention that I took tests last week for english and German proficiency and placement.
I received an 84 on the reading section and a perfect 8 on the writing section.
The proctor in the special needs department said that in her seven years of being at MCC, I was the first student who received a perfect on the writing. She was super impressed with me. The department was encouraging me to pursue honors english rather than stay in regular english. I don't know if I will do this or not. I took the German proficiency on Friday of last week.
I placed into German 2. But there were a couple mix-ups with that class. They had dropped it out of the system due to lack of students. The director of the special needs department pulled some strings and I got to do an independent study. Yay - individual attention. I am in a class with 6 other people. They are studying at a higher level than I. Overall, it's not bad.
Monday classes started at 11 AM. Kudos to Barb for getting us to class late. The choir director had us sing warm-ups. Jim didn't like the chromatic pitches and was whistle-whining. The class laughed as the director stated Jim was singing with us. The director dismissed the chicks and tested voice parts for the men. I hung out with Barb and Tracy and we went to offices and took care of business. I walked into Music appreciation. The professor was very interesting and alert. He caught my attention. Barb, Jim, and I left for Barb's house in search of food. Fortunately, she had some food. I got back to MCC and was almost late for my class. I walked around the third floor of the A building because I was confused as to how the numbers corresponded. I found the class and realized that it was right next to the elevator. So much for being on time.... After class, Adam drove me to TKD. It was amusing as always.
Tuesday, I experienced German and how they teach it in college. Adam and I arrived on campus and played some BINGO. I also ate lunch with some people I knew. You wouldn't believe how many people I know at community college.
Wednesday was my long day. I had choir at 11 AM, which we were late for again. I sang for my voice part. Jim watched cautiously from the sidelines while I was at the piano with Barb and two other girls. Barb and I were the two strongest in our little group. We went to the cafeteria and ate our food. I moseyed back to the music wing and listened to Mr. Hillstrom lecture. It was actually interesting and I learned things. Kudos to finally learning how to read music efficiently. After that class, Barb and I worked on music and our voices. I went into the freezing cold and brought my trumpet and Barb's books from the car. Jim hung out with Barb while I went outside. He got to be out of harness and lazed around. Barb and I were hungry and at the very last second before my english class started I had to spring to English holding and navigating a guide dog with my left hand and balancing a plate with a burger and onion rings with my right hand. The hallway was full and it was difficult not to run into people. Quite the amusing experience..... I had the burger finished and then my class started. I left my onion rings on the desk outside of the room. I did this because the room was filled with computers and I didn't want to accidentally destroy one by dropping a greasy onion ring somewhere. We were released early. Jim and I walked to the music wing again. Barb was in her theory class. She was taking a break so I talked with her and other people from her class. I watched some videos on Youtube as I waited for Barb's class to be finished. They finished around 6:55 PM. Barb came out and gave me my trumpet. I walked into the ensemble room and met new people. My friend from high school, Ryan was also in the band. The director for the Jazz band is super nice. We started out playing a piece entitled Sister Sadie and worked on it for an hour. They wanted me to solo, but I was too chicken. We moved on to play Samba de Orfeu. I played a little bit. It was so much fun! I was one of 4 new people in the ensemble. THere are only two trumpet players including myself. Bruce is a very nice guy. Kudos to him for refining his passion for jazz music. The rehearsal was over before I knew it. It was a blast! I am really looking forward to next week. I was given the book to take home with me to memorize the music.
Yesterday, THursday, I only had German. I hung out with Maggie and Katie for two hours. I also found out that financial aid came through for me. I will be getting a refund for all of my money I spent at MCC. I went to my German class. During my class, a guy named Chris offered to buy my book for me. He was very nice. I was flattered by his sincere effort to help me. I'll write more about my thoughts later. I came home and spent time listening to Miles Davis and doing other small things.
Overall, perhaps I am excited about being at a community college. There are more people I know there and atmosphere is comfortable. I am not afraid of trying new things. My plans include auditioning for the play on Tuesday and auditioning for a small voice ensemble. Perhaps I will savor these moments instead of whisking myself to finish at a faster pace.... I'm really considering enjoying myself rather than being miserable.
