synthesis

Most teachers will tell you that one of the marks of real learning is that the learner is able to integrate information gained in one context in another context: this is synthesis. Drawing connections between concepts is an important developmental step. Without it, we wouldn't tell stories, write convincing speeches, or be able to do all the steps necessary to drive a car. Some connections are easier to make than others, and some take a significant amount of time to discover, and then to motivate to implementation. We can relate these connections to the actual synapses, or pathways, formed between neurons the brain when new concepts are learned. Cool!

All this to say: I am so thankful for the coursework here at the grad school I'm attending. I've had the opportunity to study music from a Christian perspective over the course of two semesters, and now I'm studying the history of church music. I am having the greatest time! In my Choral Literature Seminar, we're studying Mass from its beginnings to present day use, and I've been researching Josquin des Prez, a 15th c. composer. I am finding so many connections between my church music history class and this one, and it's delightful.

Back to my studies. Presentation on Friday morning!

back in the saddle again

I'm studying! It's so strange to be doing this again - actually opening my Music History book and trying to remember a list of terms that's many pages and centuries long. However, I'm enjoying the cup of jasmine green tea and bowl of fruit loops next to me, and the very furry Oscar Cat at my feet. It's nice to have my own desk, to have my laptop set up with wireless internet, and to be in a space that feels like my own. I haven't had my own study/work space for about two years, now, and this is great!

On another note, it's hard to have the confidence I once did about these subjects. I know I've forgotten so much of this, though it's coming back. My husband will be helping me to study...

Onward.