Cleo Venner, PERF2622 Portfolio
Introduction
Host Organisation: Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music (Muswellbrook)
Site: http://www.uhcm.com.au/home/.aspx
Dates: 2nd-4th May, 13th-15th June, 2nd-4th July
My contact at UHCM is Wendy Brooks, once a lecturer at Sydney Con, now director at UHCM. The conservatorium runs various community programs which I will be joining in on, as well as private and group lessons and ensembles. They also provide a primary classroom teacher who drives out to local schools and takes their music lessons. I will be spending most of my time with her. I'm hoping that my background in percussion will be useful in the classroom, since Wendy has told me they no longer have a percussionist on staff. I am also hoping to experience a wider range of community activities not readily available at the primary school where I did my first practicum and to get some practice in working with elderly and disabled students.
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Enthusiasm: I'm excited to explore options outside the traditional role of classroom music teacher assigned to a single school. As a curious young person, I'm very much looking forward to seeing the range of different jobs I might get on the completion of my degree.
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Patience: A vital skill for any teacher, but especially when working with young children, the elderly, and the neurodivergent.
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Percussion Skills: Percussion is a hugely versatile medium for people of all ages and walks of life to experience music. No matter what they hope to gain from it, whether as a social group, hobby, curricular or extra-curricular activities, or even music therapy.
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Affirmation: The first and most important thing I hope to gain from this experience is the reassurance that I am on the right path. I know there are many aspects to music education and I am interested in many different things. I hope I can experience a range of different perspectives which I may take (some or many) into my future.
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Direction: Of these options, which ones will I take? What experiences excite me and make me want to know more?
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Short Term Ideas: As well as ideas for my future career, I also hope to get ideas on teaching techniques for my current job as an instrumental tutor from educators at UHCM.