choral Reaching the Next Level
Music ians: You’re Among Friends! Lynn Seidl, WMEA State Chair, Choral
The theme paragraph which guided the writers of this maga- zine suggested that the articles contain “a cross-sharing of ideas and resources for all sorts of top- ics, ranging from tools for survival
and developmental support systems, to ways of nurturing, growing and sustaining a music teaching career for generations to come.” Ultimately the conclusion of the suggestion provided me with the most guidance for this article: “It’s like exercise for all levels. If there were ever a “Wii”
for the music professional, perhaps this issue would be it.”
My Wii system has a place in my living room and even though I am not a serious video gamer, I enjoy the games and Wii Fit exercises. I opened my Wii Opera- tions Manual to help compose this article and draw parallels to the music education profession.
System Setup
In music education, your version of “Sys- tem Setup” might occur with a first job, a new job, a new building, a new class for which to teach and prepare or even new co-workers in your music department. All
these new experiences can cause stress and even though change can be good, there still exists a period of adjustment.
Remember the old Wisconsin marketing slogan of “Wisconsin, You’re Among Friends?” Let’s bring that slogan back and reinvent it for our purposes: “Musicians, You’re Among Friends!” When you find yourself faced with a new experience and need some advice, remember to use those friendships. Contact your peers, men- tors and representatives in professional organizations. Ask their advice, pose questions, plan a get-together for coffee, a meal or even just a chat. We sometimes become so wrapped up in our day-to-night activities that we forget to take time for ourselves. Take a class in something you are interested in, other than what you do in your day-to-day normal routine. Attend a conference or a seminar to recharge your batteries and to provide you with new ideas or a fresh approach to compliment your teaching. Your friends, old and new, are there to support you and music educa- tors comprise a huge network just waiting for you to connect with while doing your “System Setup.”
Making Your Mii
For those of you already familiar with the Wii system, you have probably already created and understand your virtual Mii. For newcomers needing a bit of an ex- planation, a Mii is a “mini-you” (or an avatar) that you create during the setup of your video game system. Your Mii is the on-screen representation of you, and each player has their own Mii. You can create your Mii in your image, with gender, face shape, hair color and skin tone. Eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, glasses and even proportion can even be fine-tuned.
The parallel to creating a Mii in the Wii system to music education might begin with the creation of your music education
16 April 2011
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