I never told you about my Summer Term at Phoenix College. It went so well. So well, that I am signing up for Theory III with Dr. D'Ercole for the Fall of 2020. Before I talk about the upcoming fall semester, I am going to talk about my first ever online classes.
Dr. D'Ercole is so awesome. She is of Asian decent. I was one of 6 or 7 participants in her Theory II class and 4 students in her Aural Perception class. At first, Theory II was a little difficult. I got an 80% on my first homework assignment. It had to do with part writing, which is something that was never really discussed in my Theory I class. I told myself that I was going to do well from then forward and from then on, I conquered those homework assignments and I did extremely well on the tests. Throughout the duration of the classes, I averaged from 96-97% in both classes.
Doing it online was not that difficult. Probably the hardest thing was getting up for the 9am classes. Things that I didn't like were that I didn't really get to meet any of the classmates. Aural Perception was a little different, with only 3 other students. But it was still difficult to meet people.
I had a talk with Dr. D'Ercole, to see if it was at all possible that I take III with her and still go to MCC. Of course she said yes. I then had a good opportunity to talk with her about who I was and what I was aspiring for. She told me that I would make a perfect Choir teacher. And that I was a joy to have in class. I was happy for the praise. And I told her that I really liked her teaching. It was definitely much better than the theory teacher at MCC. I really liked talking with her and connecting.
Today I had my placement test for Piano Class. I was a little nervous, I do have to say. I wasn't nervous getting prepared for it, though, which is interesting. The actual doing of the thing in a performance was a lot more nerve wracking. I asked, in an email, for Dr. Stojanovic to send me the placement pieces to get into Piano Class III, but then decided, after playing those pieces, that they were pretty simple pieces. So I asked for the pieces to get into Piano Class IV.
I only had one day to prepare, but that was enough. It was very apparent that I was lacking in the skills of doing scales. However, all the pieces that I performed I did with flying colors. She could tell that I was a musician. She then explained to me that I would be floundering in level IV because at the end of level III they are pretty proficient with scales. So, we made the decision that I would be in level III. I had a small tinge of disappointment, but I got over it.
It's weird. I have been so worried about specifically piano class, and what level I would ascertain. Because of what it might say about me. But, I feel really good about my placement. I was practically in level IV, had it not been for my scales skill level. And frankly, I need that training, especially if I want to become a choir teacher.
I still don't know how choir is run online. So that'll be a surprise when choir starts up.
I am taking French Diction. It will be probably my most difficult of the classes I take this semester. But I am really looking forward to this semester. It was really hard to think about all the things I will be doing this upcoming semester, because I didn't want to get overwhelmed with things. But I am looking forward to it.
I also don't know if I will be getting Leia back for voice lessons. I don't know if I weirded her out. I hope not.
