Finally getting out in the field has helped me realize some of the areas I may have needed to work harder on during school.
Piano Skills: These are crucial to an elementary general music teacher. Although with help for my cooperating teacher we found some ways to work around this weakness.
Conducting: It is difficult to conduct an ensemble with only one semester of conducting. I have no problem hearing problems but I feel some of them might be fixed if I could better convey what I wanted through my conducting.
I need to listen to more Wind Ensemble Music: I was lucky enough to have played great literature through my schooling. However, I need to always be listening to the few professional wind bands that exist.
Becoming more familiar with non-brass instruments. Even if it’s just becoming familiar with the one phrase you can always tell the students. For example brass=more air.
Hopefully, I can improve upon these weaknesses quickly so they don’t hinder the students ability to learn.
