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, Guitar Class, High School Orchestra class, and Intermediate Orchestra.
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:
- Stadtmusik Kandern – I played tuba, bassoon, and flute in Kandern’s community band for the past 2 years. Band is a great way for me to get German language experience and build relationships with people in the German community.
- Markgräfler Symphonieorchester - Last year I played violin in this community orchestra. It is an enriching experience and it reminds me every week why I wanted to be a music teacher, although due to small groups and difficulty of transportation this year I have been unable to attend.
- 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 in September 2010.
- Dorm Subbing – HBR, short for Haus Bad Riedlingen, is a boys’ dorm. For my first two years at BFA I would go peel carrots, serve dinner, cook, help boys with homework and studying, and just hang out & talk with them.
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!
Hi Jill, I teach strings and wind instruments at Stonebridge School in Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.A. Stonebridge is a principle approach Christian school – I have taught there for almost 10 years and incorporate biblical principles into all my music classes, from K-4 general music through H.S. band and orchestra. Perhaps we can exchange ideas, etc. I am very interested in teaching strings in another country, ie., England, Germany, etc. God bless, Jim Edwards
In a year I’ll be leaving BFA, so there should be a string teaching opening here if you’re interested. Keep following my blog and pray about coming here!