Bruno, Gwyneth R.

2019129441

Reflection/My Conducting Journey

What are the

1. Challenges

2. Learning Experiences

3. Plan

The major examination is way pressuring, a lot of downsides and drawbacks were
encountered. The examination is different and challenging. But throughout all of these I’ve
learned a lot not only in musical forms but I’ve also learned that a conductor must give his/her
best to grow as an individual therefore your choir members will grow as a team. Aside from
getting fond and motivated by period songs, my love for my passion for music grew more during
the examination. It’s true that if you really love what you’re doing you will initially urge to survive
situations and exert effort to things that a conductor must do.

I have a regular choir (Coro-Cultura Alumni Choir) from the school I studied before but
with the situation nowadays the pandemic blocks a big wall that hindrance the choir members to
meet personally to conduct rehearsals. As their conductor, running and training the choir is
much different from before routine. Instead of meeting personally, we meet virtually through
online software that has advantages and disadvantages in some ways. As we meet every night
I’ve noticed the choir members are suddenly quitting one by one until there are two sopranos,
one alto, one tenor, and no bass left. It is disappointing actually but my choir members’ reasons
for quitting are understandable. Every time I go through problems like this I knew that God has a
better plan for me.

God made me through hardship and failures in these examinations but in the near end,
he enlightened me and reminded me of the first reason I took Choral Conducting as my Major
Course. Actually, I took choral conducting because being the person who teaches and
commands people who sing and serve in the church is actually my dream. I want to be a
conductor so I can be the person who’ll prove in our church that Music especially Choral Music
is beyond beautiful, great, and spectacular.
 It is really the best for me; I became the assistant conductor of the choir I used once
before for examination. The head conductor told me that he is really glad for the lesson’s I
shared and they are really grateful for what they’ve learned. Throughout all, the examination
gave me big lessons, I decided that I’ll serve in the church through regular teaching of the adult
choir and to continue my plan in giving free music lessons for the church youth even though I’m
still a student.

After the examination, I believe that learning in Music is limitless, as a conductor and a
musician, I should study, grow, explore and discover Music more especially in Choral Music not
only to graduate someday but the most important thing is “I learn to love the passion I want to
grow in”.

Dear Maam Tikya,

I always wanted to become a choral conductor, I indicated Choral Conducting as my

Major course back when I filled up my form in the admission and my Second Choice is to study
Bachelor of Music- Vocal Performance. In my life deciding and choosing life decision is the skills
as a person I’m lack. And I know a Choral Conductor is a person who has the full authorization
and a person that leadership is his/her specialty inside your choir. In short “Natakot po akong
mag Choral Conducting” HAHAHAHA. Then Back when in my first-year first semester; taking
my second choice, I can feel some progress but I can’t really tell that I love what I’m doing. I
cannot tell that I love studying vocal performance. Then I met Kuya Michael and friends from the
Choral Conducting and ask about the things they do in Choral Conducting and I envy them. I
found myself when I shifted to Choral Conducting.

Maam Tikya, I know even teachers are having a hard time in this virtual learning but you
never failed to guide and help us as a teacher. Thank you for the wonderful semester Maam
Tikya. I also share your Large Ensemble lessons especially the ges-taphor techniques with my
choir and they really enjoyed it. Thank you so much Maam Tikya, we miss you and we love you
take care always. :)

-Gwyneth Bruno