Degrees and jobs
So I've noticed that I tend to mock my own education a bit. Whenever I am asked about the masters program I am embarked upon, I generally write it off as "..a 2nd useless degree to go with the 1st useless degree." The problem is that this is absolutely false. My degree got me my job. My dream job, as it turns out. I LOVE my job. I get to play with kindergartners and touch their lives with an instrument they may never get to see up close again. I would love to see how it influences them down the road. IF they're lucky enough to have orchestra and band in 4th and 5th grade, does our trio having spent a year with them affect their choice? Will they give it a try because of us? Will one of them ask to play the bassoon? I'm intrigued and I wonder about it all the time. My first choice of movie theater is on the side of town where I teach because it's a great theater with student discounts, and I'm hoping every time that we'll see some of my students.
Since I knew what it was, I have always wanted to play the bassoon. My choir teacher in third grade, whose name I cannot even remember, bears the thanks for introducing it in class. I love what I do. Every time I pick it up I think of how Lucky I am to be doing exactly this, exactly the thing I have always wanted to do. So many people don't get anything like this chance or this choice.
So, yes. I am getting a Masters degree in Music Performance. I'm planning to add a little focus on music education, but because it interests me and supports the educational aspect of my career. Not because my performance degrees are useless and I really need to stop saying that.
Since I knew what it was, I have always wanted to play the bassoon. My choir teacher in third grade, whose name I cannot even remember, bears the thanks for introducing it in class. I love what I do. Every time I pick it up I think of how Lucky I am to be doing exactly this, exactly the thing I have always wanted to do. So many people don't get anything like this chance or this choice.
So, yes. I am getting a Masters degree in Music Performance. I'm planning to add a little focus on music education, but because it interests me and supports the educational aspect of my career. Not because my performance degrees are useless and I really need to stop saying that.