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Topic: What would you do .... (hypothetical question)  (Read 1885 times)

Offline cygnusdei

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What would you do .... (hypothetical question)
on: March 01, 2007, 02:20:51 AM
Say you are commissioned to spearhead a new music department at a university. What would be your roadmap to establish the music school to, say the top 5 in the country (any country)?

Excluding initial startup fund from the university, I see a hurdle in securing future funding. Since the school is new, alumni donations would be out of the question. However, you need to offer competitive salaries to attract prestigious teachers, who in turn will attract talented students/applicants. You will also need top-notch facilities (think new Steinways).

What do you think? Would artist-in-residence programs help place your school in the map? Any other thoughts?

Offline pianistimo

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Re: What would you do .... (hypothetical question)
Reply #1 on: March 01, 2007, 03:30:33 PM
as i see it - what's the rush? good things take time.  look how long julliard took to establish itself.  the money ran off with itself a few times.  you know - bad investments and then good ones. 

what you need is a radio station right at the uni where you advertise extensively every weekend with a show that highlights the students playing and the teachers knowledge.  kind of like temple university with 'from the top' hosted by christopher o'reilly.  everytime i hear that show - with 12 year old's playing as good as everyone else who's studied years and years - it makes me think 'hey, this is good advertising.'

also, the fact that temple does seem to allow students to take classes whatever their ages and isn't against homeschoolers (which a lot of brilliant pianists tend to be - so they don't have to waste busstop time when they could be practicing) and in fact - promotes any sort of education that helps a student become a professional musician.

of course, it is sort of one-sided and biased - and what do these people really make when they have  acareer in music?  i don't know!  but, they play really well.

personally - if I was in charge - i'd not worry if it was in the 'top five' - but whether the students were able to support themselves afterwards by what they learned.  i would take them to locations where musicians are thriving and making money.  say - for theory students - to visit local composers (for both film and advertising) - to take performers to visit several local artists - for it to be explained how much personal sacrifice and income is sacrificed to be a music teacher (because you love it).  also, the idea of having other means of income (whether investing or part-time jobs that bring in side money).  in fact, having groups of musicians helping other musicians 'learn the ropes' of the real world is more valuable than just plopping down money for a degree and not knowing if it will produce the results you are looking for.

usually students just 'love music.'  but, living off of a love for music really takes good health (can't be sick for performances), lots of exercise (to stay focused your entire life), good eating habits, etc etc.  these are not necessarily taught - but should be the focus of the cafeteria and the gym.  we used to have a van that drove around west chester with organic foods (whole wheat sandwiches - really great crunchy nut cookies - drinks without sugar).  imo - i'd focus on the atmosphere of things like this,t oo.  students are often too busy to worry until lunchtime about what they are going to eat.  by then, it is too late.

i would run a music school like a ballet studio.  basically, make it very rigorous and full of extra-curricular things that they are forced to do.  ie EXERCISE.  how many pianists just play hours and hours and hours and then finally crash and burn.

Offline pianistimo

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Re: What would you do .... (hypothetical question)
Reply #2 on: March 01, 2007, 03:37:40 PM
ps btw, uni of alaska used to actually have the ballet studio near the piano teacher's studios.  so, while waiting -you could actually peek your head in and see the ballet stuff going on.  at west chester - you have the art exibits (or used to anyways) in the same building.  these extra impulses of artistic endeavors would also be a welcome diversion, imo, for artistic students taking piano.  why not explore the entire realm of the arts?  i would think it couldn't hurt.

same for earning money for the university - i would combine all the arts programs and work out an art exhibit (donations at the door) where a pianist played while the art was viewed.  then, split the profits.  or a ballet - where a pianist is featured.  again, splitting the profits.  and, also, giving students many opportunities to play recitals for the public (inviting ballet or art students to participate).  it seems that you get more people if the sign says 'donations' rather than a set fee.

 

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