Senior Project Reflection

1) Positive Statement

I think many things went well during my Senior Project.  The thing that stood out the most in my opinion was my 2hour presentation.  The main reason why this stood out the most is because it was the one component that actually ran smoothly for me.  I didn't procrastinate once, finished my powerpoint early, and even went above the 30min talking time requirement.  I breezed through my presentation without any problems.

2) 2hr Presentation Assessment

I think i deserve a P because i met all the requirements for that grade, i even went over the 30minute limit of talking time.  I had no complications with my powerpoint and all my activities complimented their specific answers well.

3) Senior Project Assessment

I think that i deserve an over all grade of P for my senior project.  The reason why is because i had many good and a few bad components but in the end the effort i put in to my senior project should be a P average.


4) What worked for your Senior Project

Definetily the 2hr presentation, my independent components, and my service learning because i finish all those components efficiently without running into any problems.

5) What didn't work

The components that didn't work for me were the I-Search paper and Science project.

6) The senior project has taught me how to organize a lengthy presentation, and it has also given me the opportunity to increase my piano skills at a rapid pace.  Other than that, the senior project will not help me with my future endeavors because i do not plan to pursue piano as a career but more as a leisure activity.

2-Hour Presentation

2hr template

Service Learning

1)
Literal 

• service learning log
• Mrs. Aurora (626) 854-2091

Interpretive 

• The most important thing i gained from doing my service learning at a music studio would be learning new playing techniques and getting a better understanding of the piano learning process.  Since my service learning involved performing and teaching, i was able to increase my performance ability as well as create my own teaching techniques for beginner pianists.  

Applied

• To have a successful piano performance, one must understand how to effectively use dynamic techniques.  During my service learning, i had to perform for the studio during their recital.  Mrs.  Aurora, my service learning provider, told me that the control flow of dynamics can help me have a "successful" piano performance.  

Independent Component 2

Independent Component 2 log


Literal
a) I, Ryan McConnaughey, affirm that i completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
b) Throughout the last 2 months, i have continued the same independent component as i did for my independent component one.  I kept taking 2 hour private lessons every Thursday.  I reviewed all my old piano pieces i have learned for the past 4 years, then began refining the composition that i have been trying to master all year.  That composition is Claire De Lune by Debussy.  For my independent component 1, my first step was to learn it.  For my independent component #2, my second step was to memorize and perform it at the piano recital. I also include my ifest performance and practices for it as part of my independent component 2.


Interpretive
My independent component 2 demonstrates 30hours of work by showing how much i have improved in my piano playing skills. Here is the video of me finally playing my finished product of Claire De Lune by Debussy.


Claire De Lune by Debussy




Applied
My independent component 2 helped answer my EQ because it pretty much gave me the 3 answers to my 3 column chart.  While talking to my piano instructor ms.  Sally, she gave me all the information about harmony, dynamics, piano exercises, and helped me master the composition i have been trying to learn all year.  

Helping 2013

Who did i interview: Rachel Hernandez
What day and time: 4/27 at 12:45pm

(1) What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

• I am planning to do my senior project based around deaf culture.  I chose this because i plan to pursue this as a career and will use the senior project as a head start.  I also chose this because my sister is deaf.
• Since she only gave me one topic idea, i just told her that if deaf culture is something you know you can present 2hrs on, finish a science project, and be able to obtain independent components and service learning, than this would be a great topic.

(2) What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting?  Note: They also have to complete the 50 hours during the school year.

• My cousin is an interpreter for deaf people, so i will ask to follow her around and get a better understanding on what deaf interpreters go through during their job.  
• I told her that it was great that you had a family member that had a career in your senior topic.  This will make obtaining service learning very easy for you.

(3) What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

• I don't really know what to expect.  I just hope that the senior presentations that i will be put in will be fun and entertaining, if not engaging. 
• I told the junior that she should avoid texting and talking to her friends at all times.  Focus on the presentation and make sure you do not disturb the presenter because they will be very nervous.

(4) What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  Be specific and note what you told them.

• Unfortunantely i do not any more questions about the senior project, I've just heard that it is quite challenging but it will be worth it in college.  I will worry about this senior project once it comes.  
• I told her that she already planned out her service learning and independent components is a great thing so that she won't have to worry about obtaining those later.  I also told her not to procrastinate on the science fair project because that was the component that killed me by staying up all night. 

Answer #3

EQ: What is most important to have a successful piano performance?

Answer: My 3rd answer would be to show expression during the piano performance.

Evidence 1: According to my piano instructor, showing your passion while performing defines your performance.  She said that knowing when to play softer , then switching gears to playing louder and upbeat turns you’re performance from good to great.  This is called controlling the dynamics of your composition.

Evidence 2: According to my piano instructor, after a good amount of practice you should be able to know when to play faster or play slower.  Changing up the speed during the performance goes very well with changing the dynamics(volume).  For example, starting off the performance with a slow speed is good because it creates tension.  then during the middle of the performance it is wise to combine both fast and slow speeds.  for the end of the composition, it is best to play at a fast speed all the way up until the last 8 count, once you reach it you play slow and finish the piece gracefully.

Evidence 3: According to my piano instructor, knowing what type of song you're playing is extremely important.  For example, if you're playing a classical song mainly based on a minor scale, the song will clearly be something sad, depressing, or an angry type of composition.  If the composition is based purely on major chords, it is clearly a much happier and more upbeat song.

Source: All three pieces of evidence came from my piano instructor mrs.  Sally Griffin.

3-Column Chart

3- Column Chart