My name is Jill Musick, and I graduated from Wheaton College in 2009 with a degree in Music Education. The following August, I moved to Germany to teach at Black Forest Academy. I am here now teaching violin, viola, and cello lessons and orchestra class.
The orchestra at BFA is not yet an established class; in fact, I am basically starting the orchestra program. Previously, there had been violin lessons and chamber music once a week, but now we have orchestra every day as a class, with chamber music times built-in and extra chamber music before school for those who cannot take the class. During my first semester there were some mishaps with the scheduling program, so only two students were able to get into orchestra. Many students were also uncertain about taking a new class with an unfamiliar teacher. As one of the students put it, “We were kind of scared to get graded on something we had just done for fun before.” I have been working to overcome those obstacles, building trust little by little with each student.
Second semester, there were 7 students in the class – 3 times as many as first semester! The students saw how much my two orchestra girls improved just from playing their instruments every day. They are no longer apprehensive about what orchestra would look like with me as their teacher because they have taken lessons with me all semester. I also let all of the other string players play in the Christmas concert, so they now see how much fun rehearsals with the group can be.
This year I also have a Beginning Orchestra and Intermediate Orchestra that meet after school. It is exciting to see the program grow!
Starting an orchestra program seems like a daunting task (especially as a new teacher moving to a foreign country!), yet at the same time it is exciting because I have the opportunity to shape it for future years. My goal is that the orchestra would exist to serve and glorify God, and that within the orchestra there would be a strong sense of community. Just as the body of Christ has many parts but is united, the orchestra has a wide range of skill levels but can glorify God by making music together.
Though I came here expecting to teach orchestra, I have become involved in many other activities:
- Study Hall – I immensely enjoyed leading devotions every morning with the students first semester. Second semester I had 7th period study hall. This year I don’t have a study hall.
- Dorm Subbing – HBR, short for Haus Bad Riedlingen, is a boys’ dorm. Every other Monday I get to go peel carrots, serve dinner, cook, help boys with homework and studying, and just hang out & talk with them.
- Stadtmusik Kandern – I played tuba in Kandern’s community band last semester, and in January a bassoon became available for me to play. Band is a great way for me to get German language experience and build relationships with people in the German community.
- Markgräfler Symphonieorchester - I play violin in this community orchestra. It is an enriching experience and it reminds me every week why I wanted to be a music teacher.
- Freie evangelische Gemeinde – I attend the German Evangelical Free Church in Kandern.
- Running/hiking through the hills of the Black Forest is great for exercise and a wonderful way for me to enjoy God’s creation, especially in this beautiful area of Germany! I ran a marathon on September 12.
Hi Jill! Erika sent me the link to your blog so I could read the squirrel story. I haven’t finished it yet (my German is a bit rusty), but it’s a hoot! The idioms so far are ones that I didn’t learn back in high school, but language changes.
Sounds like you’re having a great ministry there. I didn’t know you play all those instruments! God seems to have fit you in just the right place. Blessings on you!