I just got home a few minutes ago from GPC Jazz Band rehearsal. We did a run-through of all of the arrangements we are doing for next weeks concert. The concert should be fine.
Everybody is having trouble finding gas!!!! I'm surprised we even had rehearsal. Most of the guys have anything from a 20min-45min drive to Dunwoody for rehearsal. It shows how dedicated the musicians are to the art form we call Jazz.
This weekend, I played at Loca Luna W/ Serenata. The club was about half full; with the gas situation, I guess people decided to stay home and watch UGA get their butts kicked by Alabama (I was highly disappointed, but that's OK). I was supposed to go to Savannah in October to perform at a wedding reception, but the event was cancelled. I don't think gas had anything to do with that.
Yesterday morning , I was invited to play at a church service. I figured "sure, I need to go anyway". Turns out, this church is a "alternative lifestyles" friendly church (I will not give out the name). I really didn't know what to expect. They worshipped with all of their hearts just like any other "believer" would.
I am a christian. I'm a little frustrated with "church" right now (I will not get into that). I'm not the most spiritual guy in the world. I don't consider myself to be a great example of "discipleship". The last thing I want to do is cast judgement on a group of people, who obviously love God. I will end this segment by saying that once I entered that sanctuary, I was loved and appreciated before I played a note, and the people didn't know me from an hole in the wall.
According to the news, the gas crisis will last another 2 weeks. I don't know yet how it will effect the gigs I have lined up for the next month, but we'll see.
Until next time,
Jason
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Midnight Madness
It's midnight and the wife and Jody are sleeping in our bedroom. I can't sleep!! I guess I have too many things on my mind.
One of the big things is my career path. I have been teaching elementary music now for eight years, with 4 years in elementary band and the other 4 in elementary orchestra. My wife and mother always tell me to never make a decision when you are emotionally charged. I have had every reason to be emotionally charged this week. I'll spare the details because the majority of it is just petty and not worth the time to write about.
I believe for me it is time for a career change. No I am not abandoning music!!! A career option is the reason for me to enter Full Sail University. I want to have career options. If I decide to keep teaching music, I can not stay at the current school that I am employed. This is something I have been thinking about for the past year. I do not feel I have any say so as to what I have to teach. There are 3 music teachers at my school and I feel that I am just a "shadow" or "echo" of anything the other two may try to accomplish. Its selfish, I know, but I want to be in charge of my own ship. It has gotten to where It's really pointless for me to say anything. People don't want to listen, don't care and administration doesn't really believe that the enrichment teachers do anything. They might say that they care, but they are too busy pacifying the classroom teachers. If the classroom teachers complain about the enrichment teachers, we all have notes in our box to see the principal or some dumb email. Right now, mentally, I have disconnected myself from the people at the school (Not the kids!!! They're cool!!). I shouldn't work that way, but I would rather do that than loose sleep or get frustrated over every little thing that goes on in the building. Honestly, it's just not worth it, not matter the job or the pay!!
Maybe I should speak up more. I really don't believe that will do any good. The majority of the people I work with are insecure and can't handle the criticism. As a man, I really don't think I can speak my opinion to a staff that is 90% Female, with an all female leadership team;they have a "do what I say" attitude. Most of the time, I just sit and wait for the person to just shut up. I am not sexist in any way!! I just work with a bunch of women(which can be VERY interesting at times).
I am hoping to transfer because I really don't want to apply to another school system. The school that I work in is 5-7 minutes from the house. What I have been asking my self is "Is it worth it?" Right now, I think I would rather be happy and drive 20-30 minutes to work than miserable near the house.
OK, I have spent too much time on this. Gotta go
Jason
One of the big things is my career path. I have been teaching elementary music now for eight years, with 4 years in elementary band and the other 4 in elementary orchestra. My wife and mother always tell me to never make a decision when you are emotionally charged. I have had every reason to be emotionally charged this week. I'll spare the details because the majority of it is just petty and not worth the time to write about.
I believe for me it is time for a career change. No I am not abandoning music!!! A career option is the reason for me to enter Full Sail University. I want to have career options. If I decide to keep teaching music, I can not stay at the current school that I am employed. This is something I have been thinking about for the past year. I do not feel I have any say so as to what I have to teach. There are 3 music teachers at my school and I feel that I am just a "shadow" or "echo" of anything the other two may try to accomplish. Its selfish, I know, but I want to be in charge of my own ship. It has gotten to where It's really pointless for me to say anything. People don't want to listen, don't care and administration doesn't really believe that the enrichment teachers do anything. They might say that they care, but they are too busy pacifying the classroom teachers. If the classroom teachers complain about the enrichment teachers, we all have notes in our box to see the principal or some dumb email. Right now, mentally, I have disconnected myself from the people at the school (Not the kids!!! They're cool!!). I shouldn't work that way, but I would rather do that than loose sleep or get frustrated over every little thing that goes on in the building. Honestly, it's just not worth it, not matter the job or the pay!!
Maybe I should speak up more. I really don't believe that will do any good. The majority of the people I work with are insecure and can't handle the criticism. As a man, I really don't think I can speak my opinion to a staff that is 90% Female, with an all female leadership team;they have a "do what I say" attitude. Most of the time, I just sit and wait for the person to just shut up. I am not sexist in any way!! I just work with a bunch of women(which can be VERY interesting at times).
I am hoping to transfer because I really don't want to apply to another school system. The school that I work in is 5-7 minutes from the house. What I have been asking my self is "Is it worth it?" Right now, I think I would rather be happy and drive 20-30 minutes to work than miserable near the house.
OK, I have spent too much time on this. Gotta go
Jason
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Gig update
Last weekend, I had to go to Ft. Stewart for a performance at a Latin Festival on the base. The gig,overall,went fine; however, I had an issue with having to be there at noon and we didn't start playing until 4:00PM. The person in charge of the festival wanted both bands to alternate sets (they played the 1st and 3rd , while we did the 2ND and 4Th). It was a good thing that there was 2 PA systems; I didn't know how that was going to happen.
The other band was Orquesta Con Clase. This band is made of musicians from the 3rd infantry division at Ft. Stewart. This was their 1st gig in 15 months;they spent some time in Iraq serving our country.
We finally started around 4:30. The sound of the band was fine; I still think we need at trumpet & trombone. For the last set, we combined bands and played about 5-6 tunes together. That was probably the best part of the night. It was very, very loud, but i don't anybody cared at the time.
We finally ended around 7:30. At that time, I was starving and tired. We were going to just drive back home,but when I started to get dark, we decided to stay; I didn't want to drive in the woods late at night. We got paid in cash (thank you God!!!) and we were taken to our hotel (which the stay was donated by the local Hispanic Heritage Club; many thanks!).
We went to Wal-Mart to pick up some items and went back to the hotel to watch the UGA vs. Arizona State football game and finally went to sleep.
On the way back the next morning, I got sick. The sickness really started last week, but I didn't do anything about it. I went to work on Monday and I was miserable. Now I have been home for 2 days and I feel much better. I even had enough in me to go take a computer test that is required for my teaching certificate and I passed.
That's my update. Until next time.
Jason
The other band was Orquesta Con Clase. This band is made of musicians from the 3rd infantry division at Ft. Stewart. This was their 1st gig in 15 months;they spent some time in Iraq serving our country.
We finally started around 4:30. The sound of the band was fine; I still think we need at trumpet & trombone. For the last set, we combined bands and played about 5-6 tunes together. That was probably the best part of the night. It was very, very loud, but i don't anybody cared at the time.
We finally ended around 7:30. At that time, I was starving and tired. We were going to just drive back home,but when I started to get dark, we decided to stay; I didn't want to drive in the woods late at night. We got paid in cash (thank you God!!!) and we were taken to our hotel (which the stay was donated by the local Hispanic Heritage Club; many thanks!).
We went to Wal-Mart to pick up some items and went back to the hotel to watch the UGA vs. Arizona State football game and finally went to sleep.
On the way back the next morning, I got sick. The sickness really started last week, but I didn't do anything about it. I went to work on Monday and I was miserable. Now I have been home for 2 days and I feel much better. I even had enough in me to go take a computer test that is required for my teaching certificate and I passed.
That's my update. Until next time.
Jason
Friday, September 19, 2008
Random thoughts
It's 11:26 on a Friday night. It's really hard to believe that I am at home on a Friday night. This year, most of my Fridays have been booked with gigs. I am glad that I'm at home. It gave me a chance to spend some time with my wife and daughter. Jody, my daughter, didn't see me that much this week because of my schedule for the week. When she saw me, she just could not get to me fast enough. It showed me that I need to spend as much time as possible with her. If I'm not careful, she'll grow up and I will miss it and I don't want that to happen.
Both the wife and kid are asleep and I'm just hanging' in the office. I have to leave in the morning for a gig at Ft. Stewart in Savannah, GA. I think we'll stay overnight and try to catch some music on River St. My gig goes from 3-6 and I have to be there at Noon for set up and getting on the base. The good news is that my wife and daughter get to come.
I am getting the paperwork in for starting at Full Sail University. It's a lot of paperwork , but I believe it will be worth the trouble. I totally believe that this is the right decision for me. If I want to be a performing musician, I don't need a degree. I have been tempted to apply to a composition program, but after reading a few articles about graduate school in composition, I have decided that an academic degree in composition would be a useless gesture on my part. The music that I like to write and arrange is not suited for the academic setting. Besides, I don't want to study things I'm not interested in just so that some professor can make some money. It goes deeper than that , but i really don't want to go in that direction.
What I will do next in school is uncertain, maybe a DMA or Ph.D in music ed or something. Right now I don't want to think about that until I'm finished at Full Sail."One thing at a time", as my mother would say.
That's all for now. I will attempt to post pictures tomorrow of my gig in Savannah. Until then.
Peace and Blessings
Jason Passmore, M.M.
Both the wife and kid are asleep and I'm just hanging' in the office. I have to leave in the morning for a gig at Ft. Stewart in Savannah, GA. I think we'll stay overnight and try to catch some music on River St. My gig goes from 3-6 and I have to be there at Noon for set up and getting on the base. The good news is that my wife and daughter get to come.
I am getting the paperwork in for starting at Full Sail University. It's a lot of paperwork , but I believe it will be worth the trouble. I totally believe that this is the right decision for me. If I want to be a performing musician, I don't need a degree. I have been tempted to apply to a composition program, but after reading a few articles about graduate school in composition, I have decided that an academic degree in composition would be a useless gesture on my part. The music that I like to write and arrange is not suited for the academic setting. Besides, I don't want to study things I'm not interested in just so that some professor can make some money. It goes deeper than that , but i really don't want to go in that direction.
What I will do next in school is uncertain, maybe a DMA or Ph.D in music ed or something. Right now I don't want to think about that until I'm finished at Full Sail."One thing at a time", as my mother would say.
That's all for now. I will attempt to post pictures tomorrow of my gig in Savannah. Until then.
Peace and Blessings
Jason Passmore, M.M.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
120 Seconds
Please go to my other website. Click on "about me" then "project" and subscribe to my new podcast. It is a podcast of original material written by yours truly. You will hear my new work "120 Seconds". Check it out!!!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My daughter
This is Jody Renee Passmore! Yesterday she turned 10 months old and she's into everything. She has definitely been a joy to watch. She's so smart and Cute! Jody already has an appreciation and love for jazz. Every gig that I bring her to, she has a great time.
Now , I'm going to do what Jody is doing now: Sleeping!!! Bye Bye!
This weekend
This weekend I was looking forward to relaxing at home and playing w/my daughter. However, a gig that was cancelled is back on. I'm now going to be in Savannah at Ft. Stewart. I have had 2-4 weekend days off from gigging all year. I usually 2-3 time a week, most of the days being Friday and Saturday. I'm getting tired!! With me going back to school, I can predict a deduction in the amount of gigs that I do on a weekly basis.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
School Decision
I have decided that I'm going to apply to Full Sail University. They have a masters program in Education Media Design and Technology. I can't tell everything why I decided to go to an online program, but I will say that will the educator's scholarship of $12,000 , it will be cheaper than going to Georgia State or West Georgia;and I don't have to buy gas to go to class, since the Full Sail program is 100% online.
Also, I already have two music degrees (with enough credits for a 3rd). If I want to be a better composer, I just need to find a teacher. I found one and his rates are not that expensive. 2ND, I can start a saxophone quartet if I want to do classical literature. I don't need the hassle of auditions, juries, finding an accompanist (music majors you know what I'm talking about). I can give a recital anytime I want to. I wanted to do something that can give me more career options. I don't know how long I will stay in the classroom. This degree at Full Sail will provide me with some more choices.
Until next time!!!
Also, I already have two music degrees (with enough credits for a 3rd). If I want to be a better composer, I just need to find a teacher. I found one and his rates are not that expensive. 2ND, I can start a saxophone quartet if I want to do classical literature. I don't need the hassle of auditions, juries, finding an accompanist (music majors you know what I'm talking about). I can give a recital anytime I want to. I wanted to do something that can give me more career options. I don't know how long I will stay in the classroom. This degree at Full Sail will provide me with some more choices.
Until next time!!!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
School Search
Some of you may know, but I've been thinking about going back to school. I had started doctorate study in 2006,but quit shortly after my dad passed away. To tell you the truth: at the time, I was going for the wrong reason. When my dad passed, I realized that I was doing it to prove something to my father;to prove that I can do anything without his help. It worked out for the best: My dad is fishing w/Jesus and I HATED the program I was in.
Back on track: I'm looking to go back to Georgia State or University of West Georgia. There are a couple of online programs I'm considering,but by Jan 2009, I hope to be in somewhere.
Why am I going back to school
1. Increase my musical/technological abilities
2. Ultimately, to increase my pay an an educator (the only real benefit of getting an advanced degree, IMHO).
I'm getting portfolios together and considering audition pieces. I'll know soon what i will decide to do
Until next time!!!
Back on track: I'm looking to go back to Georgia State or University of West Georgia. There are a couple of online programs I'm considering,but by Jan 2009, I hope to be in somewhere.
Why am I going back to school
1. Increase my musical/technological abilities
2. Ultimately, to increase my pay an an educator (the only real benefit of getting an advanced degree, IMHO).
I'm getting portfolios together and considering audition pieces. I'll know soon what i will decide to do
Until next time!!!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Late night musings
It's 2:55AM on a Saturday morning. I just got home from a gig at a nightclub called Opera. This gig was Serenata Band's better sounding gigs.
What's on my mind now is Hurricane Ike. At the time of this writing, Ike is making landfall on the coast of Texas heading for Houston. I don't have any family there, but i know of people who do. What is really scary about this situation is that the emergency management agencies have all said that if people did not obey the mandatory evacuations,death was certain. If you are a person who prays, the people of Texas need your prayers now.
What does this have to so with music: NOTHING!! However; I am again reminded of my own mortality and I'm grateful that I can go out and play my favorite instrument and get paid for it. I realize that there will be a time when I can not play my saxophone; i have to enjoy each day that God gives me. The end could be around the corner. Hopefully, the end will not be for a long time.
What's on my mind now is Hurricane Ike. At the time of this writing, Ike is making landfall on the coast of Texas heading for Houston. I don't have any family there, but i know of people who do. What is really scary about this situation is that the emergency management agencies have all said that if people did not obey the mandatory evacuations,death was certain. If you are a person who prays, the people of Texas need your prayers now.
What does this have to so with music: NOTHING!! However; I am again reminded of my own mortality and I'm grateful that I can go out and play my favorite instrument and get paid for it. I realize that there will be a time when I can not play my saxophone; i have to enjoy each day that God gives me. The end could be around the corner. Hopefully, the end will not be for a long time.
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