"You've gotta start somewhere"

So—first time out in creating a blog, albeit a week earlier than I planned.

I've just been notified that I'm cleared for U.S. Peace Corps placement and that an invitation is in the mail.  Consequently, I thought I'd begin this process of describing and evaluating the application process, preparations, and my final semester of teaching.  I’m not under any illusions that this blog will attract a wide readership, but—for my current and future friends—it's a way of communicating.  Again, “you've gotta start somewhere.”

Fast facts:  I’m a music professor who’s about to transition from academe to volunteer work, in addition to being a composer and keyboard performer who alternates between orchestral playing, chamber music and rock/jazz.  I’ve been teaching for almost 40 years, with my students ranging in age from 5 to 91.  However, the majority of my students have been University-level, with all the triumphs, tragedies, earnestness, and quirkiness you’d expect from a population coming to grips with their own adulthood.  In between classes, we’re just as likely to discuss Hogwarts, Middle-Earth, or initiatory practices as enharmonic chord spellings or Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

More, later—probably by the end of the week when I receive “the big envelope” with specific country and date information.  Until then, my best for a great start to a fine and fulfilling 2011.