#17 (I want...)

I want an iPhone. I want new glasses. I want to wear size 34 jeans again. I want to have a successful career as a band director. I want to look back with no regrets. I want to date. I want to understand middle school students. I want Firely to come back to television. I want to surprise everyone at my 10-year class reunion. I want a real mohawk this time. I want to get better at keeping in touch with old friends. I want to walk my dogs right now. I want my band office to be much more organized. I want to wake up refreshed. I want to believe. I want to watch every season of the X-Files again. I want my house to be perfectly clean. I want you to want me. I want it now. I want to look at the stars on a clear night. I want someone there with me. I want to end this rant.

Ancora Imparo,

Mr. Rohner

#16 (Half Day)

Today is a half day at school (Should that be hyphenated?). Since we had parent conferences this week after school for 3 hours, they have to give us those 3 hours back in the same week. That leads to today's shortened schedule. It makes an easy day for me. While the entire high school celebrates Black History Month by watching "Glory Road," I have to walk around the school and watch classes while teachers take bathroom breaks. Thankfully most teachers can hold it from 8:30 until 11, so I'm not very busy at all.

It will be nice to have an early start on a long weekend. We have Monday off as well for President's Day....or is it Presidents' Day.....or Presidents Day. I could look it up, but I really don't care. Students have been asking all week why we get that day off. Unfortunately, I really don't have an answer for them. I think it is just a day off. Oh well, I'm not gonna complain. So I get a 3 1/2 day weekend to spend alone.....(I hate Valentine's Day, especially when it happens on a weekend). More about that in tomorrow's post.

And in honor of my anti-valentine's sentiment:

Ancora Imparo,

Mr. Rohner

#15 (I have a blog?)

Between my business and my laziness, I managed to let my blog fall by the wayside. However, I really want to bring this thing back to life. So here I go....

It's February. I have been a band director for almost 7 months now in Charlestown, Indiana. I still love my job. I have thankfully begun to figure out how this whole thing works. I don't come home sad and depressed anymore, wondering if I made the wrong career choice. I made the decision to leave work at work when possible. When I cross the river and enter Kentucky, its time to focus on me, my dogs, my relationshiops with other people, and my life. I take my dogs for a walk. I watch my favorite tv shows. I go out to dinner with my friends. I swap stories with my roommate. I talk to mom on the phone. I lead my life. But believe me, its impossible to leave everything back in Indiana. When needed, I still write lesson plans, study scores, grade papers, and do paperwork. I just don't let this take over my every waking minute.

When Dr. Kate Fitzpatrick was at U of L, she gave me some advice that really stuck. She told me to not make my job 100% of my life. She said to get hobbies, date, hang out with friends, go out on the weekends, lay around on the couch on a Saturday, make time for yourself. She (and I) have seen too many band directors quit because of burn-out. I'm not gonna be one of those teachers. I'm gonna do my job and do it well, but I'm not gonna spend every waking minute thinking about my band program. So far, this has led to much saner days for me as a teacher!

So here are a few updates from school since September, the brief version, of course....

Marching band ended in October. The kids were happy with the results of the year. We receieved a bronze medal at District Competition and 1st place in our class at Louisville Male High School's competition. All in all, a successful season. The band learned and had fun. Next year will be better because there will be more time to plan.

In October, my high school concert band was invited to play at Gov. Sarah Palin's rally in Jeffersonville, Indiana. There were 50,000 people there (the biggest audience I will ever have for band concert). And to top it all off, we opened for Hank Williams Jr! However, I never want to be in a room with that many republicans ever again. Actually, I wouldn't want to be in the room with that many democrats either!

In December, our band's winter concert was cancelled because of an ice storm that was supposed to come through that day. It didn't. We were back in school the next day. There wasn't any ice, but there were a lot of upset band students. The middle school bands got to play for the school the next day, but my high school kids just didn't get a concert. That sucked.

In January, we missed a week of school for a real ice storm. Everyone lost power, except for me. I enjoyed the week off work. I will not enjoy going to school until June to make those days up.

Last weekend, some high school students went to Solo and Ensemble. We participated in 12 events (9 solos and 3 ensembles). We received 6 gold medals, 5 silver, and 1 bronze. 4 of the events are going to state competition next weekend in Indianapolis: 1 senior alto sax solo, 1 sophomore clarinet solo, 1 sophomore woodwind trio, and percussion ensemble. I am very proud of these students!

Now you are caught up. More to come. Please remind me to update this thing.

Ancora Imparo,

Mr. Rohner

#14 ( Long Time, No Post)

So I've now been a band director for about 3 weeks.....its tough. Dont' get me wrong, I love it. I'm having a great time, have great students, great administrators, and great parents, but its hard. Getting up everyday at 5:30, going to bed at 9, 45 6th graders in one period, marching band, faculty meetings, new teacher orientation, planning lessons.....its a lot of work. And even though I knew all that was involved in being a teacher, it didn't fully hit me until I experienced it. I'm tired. A lot. I don't get to see my friends as much as I used to. I miss them terribly. I miss sitting in Alie's office between classes, watching people walk by, talking to all of my friends..... Being a band director is gonna take some getting used to. The toughest part is that I am by myself all day long. I do see my students and sometimes another teacher for a moment, but 99% of the time I am alone. This is very new for me. I'm used to being at school with my peers. Going from rehearsal to class to a frat meeting to a social function and then all over again the next day. Its a little depressing and hard to deal with right now. However, I will get throught it, get used to it, and overcome. I always do.

And thats all of an update I have in me right now. Stay tuned for more.

Jon

#13 (First Day)

So right now I'm sitting in my office at the high school band room. I'm eating dinner, waiting for a band booster meeting to begin. As I sat here, I realized that I finally had a moment to update the blog!


So I will first update home life. I am no longer living alone in my nice new house. It so happens that one of my good friends needed a place to live during his student teaching experience. Since I have more than enough room, he is now moving in with me. Actually, he is probably moving in as I type. I haven't had a roommate since I left Arkansas, but I think I'm an easy person to live with. And thankfully, I know he is a quiet and clean person. Very good qualities in a roommate.


And now professional life......what a crazy whirlwind the past 10 days have been! I had my summer marching band camp all last week. It was so great! I was so nervous the first day. It's that feeling that even though everything has been prepared, you know you forgot something. I hate that feeling. But everything ended up being great. I had an amazing staff (thanks AF, BT, AG, SS, AH and AC). I think the most impressive thing about camp was the attitude of my students. Everyday, they came in with a smile and drive to succeed. This band wants to be good.....and they are gonna be great! I can't wait to see the progress this season. And in case you were curious, here is the show we are doing:


Going Places!
I. By Wheel (Free Ride)

II. By Air (Learn to Fly)

III. By Rail (Crazy Train)

IV. By Ship (Come Sail Away)

Everyone seems to really enjoy all the music so far. We played most of it for parents and community members last Friday night. And after we played, there was a reception for us with food and KARAOKE! I ended up singing "Boot Scootin' Boogie." I was amazing, of course.

So as you can see, the high school is running smoothly. My next challenge is the middle school. Over the past two days, I have been in Inservice for both schools and I'm slightly overwhelmed. There are so many committees, acronyms, and meetings that I just can't sort it all out yet. As I've said before, I'm most nervous about teaching the general music course. But I think I have come up with some kind of plan. I'm gonna begin by teaching very basic music reading and rhythm, next on to American Music, then World Music, then finally some Pop/Rock. I'm keeping this 'plan' flexible and always open to change it though.

One of the things keeping me sane and calm right now is all the help I'm getting from all the faculty and staff. The administration seems very supportive. The staff has gone out of there way to answer any dumb question I have. I'm especially thankful for the wonderful choir director here, NH. NH has been here for a few years and knows everyone. He is very friendly and our personalities seem to mesh well. He has already helped me setup my computerized grade book (among other confusing tasks). With everyone's help, I may just survive my first day.

And that first day is tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Pirate Pride!

Jon

#12 (Job Preparations)

So things have been quite insane around here lately. First of all, I just moved into a house. That's right, no more apartment life for me. No more leaky bathrooms. No more saving quarters so I can do laundry. No more pot-smoking neighbors. That's it! It's done! My new house is quite nice. I have a living room with built-in book shelves, a room for an office, bedroom with 2 closets, huge kitchen, and big basement with washer and dryer included! And the best part.....a huge, fenced-in back yard.....that means I can get a dog! Finally! My own dog! I'm thinking about adopting a rescue greyhound. But we'll see what works out for me....

The other big thing in my life is my new job. I am the band director for Charlestown High School and Middle School in Charlestown, IN. So far, I love it. However, its been quite hectic to put together a marching show, camp, and plan for a school year in less then 3 weeks. Thankfully, I have amazing band parents, administration, and staff that are going the extra mile to make sure I have everything I need.

I do have a question for all you music people out there. One of the classes I have to teach is a 9-week 6th and 7th grade general music course. This is quite terrifying for me. I don't feel prepared to do this. I would love any ideas, creative things to do, or just suggestions to help me get through. Please comment or email me.

Also, for all of you music ed majors near Louisville, feel free to stop by anytime. I'll be happy to put you to work and give you some first hand experience. I'm just a call or email away.

Signing off for now,

Jon

#11 (Star Struck)

I made a quick trip to Chicago this weekend with Alie and Alisson to see a Gershwin concert in Millenium Park. Alie's boyfriend's dad, Kevin Stites, was conducting the orchestra so he got us great seats. The concert was really great. It featured four current Broadway stars: Norm Lewis, Harolyn Blackwell, Marin Mazzie, and Jason Danieley. But the greatness did not stop at the end of the concert. The three of us got to go backstage with all of the Stites family, and then on to the cast party! I got to hang out and talk to Kevin Stites (who conducts on Broadway), Norm Lewis (who is starring in 'The Little Mermaid'), Harolyn Blackwell, and many other big names in Chicago theatre! It was so amazing! I was like a little kid that couldn't stop giggling. I know I made an impression on Norm and got teaching advice from Harolyn. What a night! I could get used to this lifestyle.......

Ancora Imparo,

Jon Rohner

#10 (Europe and a job)

I had planned on keeping my blog updated during my travels in Europe. However, internet access was expensive and hard to come by. Let me just say that it was absolutely amazing. We begain in London, then to Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Venice, and Germany. That over 16 days with over 200 music students from Kentucky and Southern Indiana. I'm still working on getting my pictures up on facebook, so keep checking.

But now I have much bigger news than Europe.....I HAVE A JOB! I am not the band director for Charlestown High School and Middle School. There is so much to do and plan now, I feel a little overwhelmed. I just have to remember that this is what I've wanted for many many years. Wish me luck.

and I need to come up with a new signature...

Jon

#9 (Changes)

I'm still looking for a job. Since that is the first thing anyone asks me about, I figured I would just put it right out front. Me = still unemployed. I did not get the job I interviewed for a few weeks ago at Union County. I did not even get an interview for the job I had my hopes up for at Seneca High School. Thankfully, other opportunities are coming. I have an interview tomorrow at Trimble County High School in Bedford, KY. Its only about 35-45 minutes away from Louisville. Also, there is a job in southern Indiana that has a possiblity for an interview. So my idea of the perfect job keeps changing. At this point, having a job will be the perfect job. I can't wait to just get my career going.

Another change in my life is about to occur. I've never been to mainland Europe, and that is changing next week! I, along with several of my friends, are chaperoning a trip to Europe with the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music. This is a group of high school students in both band and choir from all over the state that travel to Europe to perform and be tourists. Most states have them. I really wanted to go with the Arkansas group when I was in school, but never had the money. Well, now is my chance! We begin out rehearsal camp on Thursday and then fly out on Monday the 30th. We fly to London, then travel from there to Paris, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. We finally arrive back in the USA on June 15th! I'm so unbelievably excited!! After travelling to Ireland last summer, my desire to travel was really sparked. This is such a great opportunity. And one of the best parts is I get to share this trip with several close friends: Alie, Liz, Kevin, James, and Phoebe to name a few! If I get a chance, I'll do some international updates! Oh, and I might get to see Sharon while in Germany! and I have now officially used too many exclamation marks in this entry. Therefore, I'm done.

and I'm still dating. Its still good...in case you were wondering.

Peace, Love, & Equality,

Jon Rohner

#8 (Catching Up)

I've actually been very busy lately, so now I'm catching up on the blog.

Two of my best friends, Amy and Ben, got married this weekend. It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've even seen. Amy was radiant. Ben cried. And well, I cried a lot as well. One of the best parts about the weekend was getting to catch up with all my friends back in Arkansas. I got to have lengthy conversations with Alie, Nathan, Mr. Plunkett, Amy, Ben, Carly, and many more. It was so nice to get nostalgic and remember all the good times from high school and college. It was quite refreshing, but I was ready to come back to Louisville.

Louisville really is home to me now. Arkansas is a place I visit to see friends and family. I never thought my life would bring me here. Wow......

So I'm dating again. And it is great! I'm too much of a gentleman to put any more details on the blog, but feel free to ask. I'm sure I'll tell you all about it. ;-)

And for those of you that have been keeping up with my bathroom drama.....it is working again. I got new walls, ceiling, vanity, tiling, and fixtures. It looks great so far, especially since no water is dripping in the ceiling. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the videos on my facebook profile. It's quite entertaining.

Also, I had a job interview last week. I'm not sure I want this job, for various reasons, but the interview went really really well. It did a good job boosting my confidence for future interviews. There is a job I really have my hopes up for, so keep your fingers crossed!

And there is the quick, vague update. More to come later.

Peace, Love, & Equality,

Jon Rohner