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EDWARD JACOBS

Author: Ed Jacobs

  • Monday, August 24, 2020

    Sure do love the morning video calls that often come in from Joe/Jackson. The call yesterday morning (in addition to watching Jackson enjoy his peanut butter & banana breakfast) was a particular treat, as he took on a flight of stairs successfully for the first time.

    First stair-steps, captured on a video call (alas, no sound)
    and finishing the flight of stairs with an assist from dad

    And that was the best news of the day.

    Shortly after that call, received official notice that ECU will go all-remote (for undergrad classes) beginning Wednesday. No classes today/Monday and Tuesday, allowing students to begin clearing out of dorms–although they have until Aug 30 to do so. Don’t know what all the people who’ve signed lengthy leases will do, of course.

    Am glad to hear that they’ve extended the deadline to Friday to drop classes and still get refunds. And they will be giving pro-rated refunds for housing and meal plans. Really, the least they can do, but i know some schools aren’t even doing that much.

    Students are disappointed, to say the least. They’re also upset that it took so long to do this, instead of going all-remote from the get go. But there have been more outbreaks, and it’s all undeniable at this point.

    So, with this news, i’m glad that i chose to go all-online a while ago, and have been prepping in this way well in advance of the semester’s start. And, of course, the students know how to get materials, how to log in, what the routine is, etc., so that will limit the adjustments. Still lots of variable, of course, not the least of which is what kind of access students may have from home; their ability to find a quiet place to sit for class, and to do work. Let alone how they’ll practice their instruments–thinking particularly of students who depend on university instruments (pianists, percussionists, some bassists)–and, of course, the loss of even the limited ensemble experience they need to build fundamental musicianship skills.

    Too many problems, too few solutions.

    __________________

    And yet another police shooting of a black guy, this one as he had his back turned https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/23/us/kenosha-police-shooting.html will undoubtedly lead to more justified outrage, now in Wisconsin. What will it take for us to get our country to see people as people instead of “types of people”?

  • Sunday, August 23, 2020

    Eggs and toast, breakfast of champions.

  • Saturday, August 22, 2020

    A week of long days. Teaching feels more manageable, though I and several others experienced a major technical glitch on Friday (unable to connect to Webex for a class). This was my first big tech issue. I think the good news is that even with outbreaks on campus, students seem to be doing ok.

    As the students are really in a kind of anti-social restriction (not necessarily a full lockdown, but definitely not ‘normal’ college), some are doing work at all hours. I see homework submissions coming in from more than one student between midnight and 4am. I am trying to get them very fast feedback while the iron’s hot; if they submit, i get back to them so that they can make adjustments and resubmit. During these first two weeks (we’re 30% done with this 7.5-week term!) this approach has set a good tone, i think. I won’t keep up the rapid-feedback pace, but also won’t need to just b/c of the nature of the pace of assignments, etc.

    Catching up a bit on the teaching has allowed me to even get out on my bike, to do some yard work, and to generally get my head out of my computer. Certainly an improvement over the past 6 weeks, but more non-teaching work is the goal, for sure.

    The absolute absurd posture taken by some university administrators across the country is truly remarkable, even if not a surprise (Chronicle of Higher Education article via “Download”).

    The-Student-Blaming-Has-BegunDownload

    Just hoping the students, and my faculty-staff colleagues, stay as safe as possible.

    Donated blood yesterday (you should do this!), and learned while checking in that they’re doing anti-body tests on donated blood these days. Turns out my last donation (8 weeks ago) was negative. Good information to have.

  • Wednesday, August 19, 2020

    76 days until Nov. 3.

    Growing up outside Boston, we took pride in the “Don’t blame me, I’m from Massachusetts” bumper stickers generated by the results of the 1972 presidential election. That year, George McGovern won a single state, the crook took the other 49. Of course I was just 11, really had no clue about anything, but I learned pretty quickly what it meant to have a lying cheat in the White House.

    I know it won’t happen, but gosh I’d love to see this election prove even more of a landslide than ’72.

  • Tuesday, August 18, 2020

    A fabulous piece written by a long-ago classmate from UMass, truly worth the quick read. Was so very glad to see this via Facebook.

    UNC cancelling in-person classes after one week; making all kinds of national headlines, of course, as a major university.

    ECU reporting a cluster at a freshman dorm. Students (that’s where all students in my frosh class live) are, of course, frightened (if not terrified).

    Just such an impossible situation.

    After Isaias, then a rare derecho storm in the midwest causing people to be without power for over a week now.

    CA experiencing rolling power blackouts during an incredible heatwave–friends reporting temps between 105-110.

    Incredible numbers of people without jobs. None able to find work. Electricity bills soaring with the heat, the wifi, more people home; less money coming in.

    Half-expect to see boils, lice, and frogs (already had locusts in Africa.

    Biblical times, these are.

  • Monday, August 17, 2020

    Truly, these two items say it all:

    An ABC news piece

    and a editorial from the UNC student newspaper

  • Sunday, August 16, 2020

    Yesterday’s treat was a zoom-party for a bro who turns 65 today. Odd to write that, “65,” as it seems a big number. As I’m the youngest of the five siblings in our family, all the ‘numbers’ of my sibs seem big, I suppose, and really always have. Cliched those it is, it truly does seem that these are just numbers, and not states of mind or condition.

    For sure, each of us has and is mellowing in our own ways; and there’s a distinct slowing down to be observed among a few–one is a little concerning, the other i find welcoming. This is the process of life, isn’t it? They each seem no less vital than ever, it’s perhaps just the level of animation that’s less obvious. In truth, I don’t detect those changes in phone conversations; perhaps only in settings where the visual is so important and, more key, the ability to hear from a computer speaker a few feet away is not ideal. So, the zoom session was very welcome–amazing to see nieces Kyla (and hubby John), E-J, nephew Michael, the next generation (Owen, Mia) and, of course my sibs and two sis-in-laws. So very glad that big sis Martha set that up.
    ____________________
    Got a call from a colleague yesterday morning, frustrated that his ear-training course was at its maximum cap for the room/safety (actually higher than the cap we use for teaching those classes ideally) and that a new student was being added to the group.  He protested; pushback.  He said he did not feel safe; pushback.  He sent a picture of the class’s occupancy sign (noting also that the occupancy was to be exceeded with the addition of another student), and perhaps there might be action, as there was now just silence. No news, though.

    At 6pm yesterday he texted that one of the students informed him that he had symptoms, had been tested, was being asked to quarantine. And so it goes…

    And the latest news on COVID-at-colleges…
    _____________________
    Things with teaching have truly been surprising.  From my end, all’s gone surprisingly smooth in the theory class, the e-music class, comp lessons, and the first of the weekly comp Colloquiua.  But I’m also aware that it’s a bit like “writing for a computer,” in that things may seem just fine from the perspective of the little hovel I’m in; those on the other end of this pipe may feel very differently, indeed.

    Yesterday/Saturday found a pretty steady stream of counterpoint submissions coming in.  I used the system’s easy grading/markup system to make comments, return the papers, extend deadlines for them to resubmit for higher grade, if interested, etc.  About 5 of the 17 students were very actively engaged in this process.  And the constant back-and-forth with them has extended the teaching into what amount to ongoing tutoring sessions, which they clearly like, and I really don’t mind, at all. It feels very hands-on productive teaching, and if that helps them succeed or feel more secure with the materials coming at them at light-speed, I’m absolutely fine with that.

    The other students?  I don’t know if they’re just prioritizing other responsibilities, or are overwhelmed by the feedback coming at them quickly, or just need to breathe after a very intense first week.  We’ll see as week two develops. I am definitely concerned with two of them, but we’ll soon see what’s up with them.

    I will finish up the 5th Species/Florid videos today, then all of our Species Counterpoint will be online.  In truth, during a typical semester I spend 4+ weeks on this stuff.  This semester, I’m really putting the entirely of Species Counterpoint online for them to do via video lessons, assignments and my feedback to those assignments followed by resubmits.  I’ve had to condense it so much in terms of time that I’m only asking for one homework assignment per species—when typically I have three.

    I was looking forward to a weekend of writing and yard work (edging, rebuilding a fence-gate broken by Isaias), but we’re having intermittent downpours all weekend, it seems, so really just working on school…

    Am questioning the balance with how much to be available for the students.  This 7.5 week sprint for the frosh, who’re so stressed about so many legitimate concerns (COVID-19, health/safety steps being observed around them, wifi outages) in addition to the normal ones of an 18-year old frosh away from home for the first time (homesickness, making friends, roommates, courses and homework, etc.), has led me to think that I’m really just going to suck it up until September 28 (1st term’s Final Exam) and give them every moment they ask for.    Honestly, I just feel so horrible for these frosh, and I really don’t know how they’re going to get through this in a healthy way.  After that, and until November 17 (end of semester) I can cruise on the much easier 15-week e-music, comp stuff I’m teaching for upperclass students.

    On to prepping for that final video…

  • Saturday, August 15, 2020

    Joe, Cristin, and Jackson are, thankfully, back in NY, a/c intact. I’m sure they spent yesterday cleaning their kitchen and, likely waited for a stiff drink before opening their refrigerator. Glad they’re home, and glad they had an almost-week in a place they love (Maine) with Allan and Sharon, and that they got to connect with Kyla, John, and Owen. Here’s a final pic i got, which i really just love.

    Ellie, Jackson, and great uncle Allan

    What a whirlwind week this has been.  And if it feels that way to me, I cannot imagine the ride it’s been for our students, especially the frosh.  The adjustment to being away from home that every frosh goes through, to the oddness of being in a dorm room and taking online classes, to not having a reasonable ensemble/rehearsal experience…let alone the accelerated curricula that’s happening as a result of the compressed “block” schedule; so much to take in.

    Many students only have face-to-face experiences in lessons—though many are taught remotely.  Some only in the oddly rostered ensembles, with far fewer people than usual in large groups, or ensembles rehearsing in enormous spaces to facilitate distancing, but an acoustic concept that’s just bizarre.  I haven’t spoken to my conductor-colleagues yet to get their sense of things, but will likely do so late next week, after they’ve gotten a sense of the approach they’ll take.

    My frosh class, honors theory, has gone pretty well from my perspective.  That is, the materials are being delivered online properly, they’re accessible, most students are both accessing things and, based on their performance on homeworks, understanding things as well as students in past years.  But these students are dealing with much more than other years: there’s the materials, and there’s the online system, their wifi service, their adjustment to college, the pressures of being on their own, the covid-19 cloud over their heads threatening a return to home at any moment.

    I’ve checked in with all of them, and 10 of 17 have chosen to respond with concerns.  The stress level is extraordinarily high.  They know about resources, they know that I and, knowing my colleagues, then entire SoMusic faculty, are hear to check in with, to get help from, etc.  The support system is there for them—but it’s always so—and now it’s in their hands to reach out as needed.

    Some are being great about emailing questions; I’m being diligent about responding to submitted homeworks with very quick feedback (usually less than 30 minutes), unlimited resubmissions, etc.  But I’m wondering if the quick feedback and offering optional re-submit opportunities is actually creating additional pressure.  Am really not sure.

    All of the videos (13) I’ve created re counterpoint are, essentially, putting that entire curriculum online for students to do on their own time.  There’s very little I’m doing on that topic during classes.  Rather, I’ve set the tone of “active, analytical listening” and am already moving on to materials which would usually not be addressed until the second MONTH of class.

    I’m worried about how fast things are moving.  As I wrote to a colleague last night, we’ll see if it’s me or the students who cry ‘uncle’ first.  I am ready, at the first sign of serious distress on the part of more than 2 students, to put the brakes on, big time.  That would drastically impact the materials covered as they enter the second semester of this five-semester sequence, but that may just be the price of this block-compressed term adjustment we’ve been cornered into.

    The other classes are fine, largely because they’ll run the full fifteen weeks, so don’t feel the same time pressure.

    Yesterday’s Composers Colloquium (weekly meeting of all students studying composition, all levels, all teachers; this term slightly small 18 students) went ok.  As the person who runs and shapes the composition program here over the past few decades, I’m usually the one who sets the ‘curriculum’, tone, etc., of these weekly sessions. 

    [My youngest colleague is an enormous help, very eager to offer input and ideas.  He is taking over the NewMusic Initiative director’s spot, something we’ve been working towards for the past three years now, and I’ve no doubt that when I retire he’ll really be running the comp program.  Another composer colleague is very occupied with music theory research, and with administrative responsibilities which he takes on and does with vigor and rigor.  Another colleague is, and has always been, a poster-child case against tenure.  ‘nuf said.]

    So yesterday’s session included about six students and me via Webex; the other students (eleven or twelve were there, I think) and my colleagues were in a large room, in person.  I ran the session, sharing a document with points of discussion, etc.  The tech in the room needs some work (which we will get from an excellent engineer at school, thank goodness for Alex!) to allow for more smooth discourse and engagement.  Hopefully this will be squared away before next Friday.

    In soliciting responses from my colleagues about how the session went, whether it makes sense at all for it to be led by me remotely, rather than by those in person; they’re questioning the sense in even having a face-to-face component, especially given the expectation that at some point things will shift to all-remote.

    At any rate, I am looking forward to making the most of all of this.  I’ve foreshadowed discussions about identifying and creating community (in these times, or any times), both musically, artistically, and more broadly; and about trying to figure out what it means to be/make “relevant” art or other contributions.  Lots of friends, I think, might have something important to offer on these topics.  Do you have a few minutes and/or idea you’d be willing to share with our students?  Nothing would make me happier than to introduce our students to some new perspectives.

    Just not knowing is creating so much stress for everyone.  Would you be a part of helping our community incorporate new thinking?

  • Friday, August 14, 2020

    These in from Jackson in Maine, where yesterday he met his 2nd cousin Owen (son of Joe’s cousin Kyla)–just warms up the cockles!!!

    In this pic, Jackson an absolute mini-me of Cristin’s dad.

  • Thursday, August 13, 2020

    The big news, of course, is the announcement of Kamala Harris as Joe Biden’s VP at the top of the Democratic ticket for November’s elections. Heard their first appearance yesterday afternoon, and was very impressed by their presentation. Especially impressed by Senator Harris, who’s a wonderful, passionate, focused speaker. I have no problem imagining her as President of the United States; she seems terrifically smart, very well-informed given her experiences as both Senator and as California AG. Can’t say i support every position she’s ever taken, but can’t say that about anyone else, living or dead. What is clear is that she has a history of making very difficult decisions, some unpopular, and that tells me she’s up to the job. Unquestionably far more up to the tasks than the present idiocy in the White House. Fully support Biden’s selection of Harris, and by the end of their presentation found myself imagining the sense of relief I hope we feel on November 4 (or whenever results become clear). Fingers crossed for another 83 days…

    Very little to share visually these days, as most all time is spent in front of the computer with a view that’s basically this.

    There are some diversions–getting out and mowing the lawn between raindrops is a very welcome one–but generally I’m just grateful for the little standing-desk thing that Joe got me a few years ago. The constant sitting just makes me feel so sluggish.

    The teaching, albeit just a few days in, is going surprisingly well. The frosh class is moving along ok; our synchronous time actually seems ok. The two big things i’m missing are my own physical motion around a classroom (feeling a bit “caged” in the space near the webcam), and the students ready-engagement.

    The latter there seems to be related to the fact that they need to take a positive action (unmute) to speak up, in contrast to what happens when simply speaking up. I may ask them to unmute from the get-go, but am not sure how that will work out as all are in their dorm-rooms, and in many cases i see their roommates in the background doing their own thing. Not sure about the best approach to this…perhaps i’ll find a forum to see how other teachers deal with it. It’s not a crisis, but it does make for more talking on my part than I’m happy with. But, things have just started, so we’ll see about how things change in the coming week.

    Students are now readily accessing videos (I’ve made about 13 at this point) and seem to be using them to good effect. Early homeworks are coming in and looking surprisingly good; and i haven’t introduced any of the materials of their homework assignments in class, but all entirely via video. I have two more to make to get us through the end of next week, and hope to get those done by the weekend’s end.

    Another class is just two students, and that’s basically a seminar. We will soon dig in to technical matters, teaching the software, getting into basic assignments which nonetheless encourage some creative thinking… This class is a 15-week one, so am feeling much less stressed here.

    Private lessons are simple. And, likely based on the fact that I was gone last semester and the younger students thought me unavailable for study, I’ve only got two of them, both upperclassmen. Very easy, and my efforts will go into the weekly composition Colloquium for all students, which begins tomorrow.

    Some ideas about what we might address in there (beyond the usual occasional session where I and my colleagues talk about our own music) related to “these times” and “relevancy”. Isolation, activism, community, responsibility, etc. Hope to bring in some colleagues from all over to vid-link in and chat about their thoughts on these matters. Just working on the calendar, coordinating with colleagues, etc. But will get started on that today, in prep for tomorrow’s first meeting of the semester.