ecarroll

...that nobody is thinking outside the box in music education (outside of a few notable exceptions), this popped up in yesterday's NYTimes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/ar...=5070&emc=eta1

Bravi to Joe Polisi and Mr. Gillinson. There may still be hope.

Best,
EC

tpter1

This is a very interesting proposition. I hope we can keep an eye on it and see where it goes.

It is very encouraging to see that someone is willing to step up and do something about the state of music education in NYC school systems. The cultural mecca of the east coast (arguably, at least) should have a diverse and robust arts offering for its student body.

__________________
-Glenn
"Roses have thorns; shining waters mud. Clouds and eclipses stain the moon and the sun; and history reeks of the wrongs we have done. After today, after today, consider me gone."- Sting

ecarroll

Glenn,

It's all about 1) recognition that the majority of Juilliard kids have limited prospects immediately following graduation, 2) music education in NYC public schools is fighting an uphill battle, and 3) following the money.

The Carnegie Hall Corporation and the Juilliard School are both awash with money at the moment and have huge brand names. Their keystone contributions will undoubtedly trigger a large corporate/individual response. Once real money has been raised no.s 1 & 2 are addressed (well, partly).

The Paris Conservatoire used to fund a post-graduate symphony orchestra back in the first half of the 20th century to ease the transition into "professional" life (think New World Symphony today). I remember old recording that they made (undoubtedly on the cheap). The new music academy reminds me of this . . . but recognizes that it's far more important to address music education, both in reality and in the mindset of Juilliard grads (note this is NOT a music education school), than hatching another orchestra into an already saturated environment.

I'm impressed.

Best from sunny but chilly Los Angeles,
EC

KJaeger

Excellent, excellent idea!

Hopefully, this program is successful and can be used as a model in other places. And I hope that the public education establishment at-large (i.e. teacher's unions) will be as receptive to this type of innovative program as the New York schools seem to be...

__________________
- Kevin Jaeger

Pikes Peak Philharmonic
Colorado Springs, CO

ecarroll

Kevin,

I'd hope that the teacher's unions understand that this program is designed to aid, not replace, their membership.

Knock wood,
EC

rowuk

The most wonderful thing about this is the role model-highly qualified Julliard students spending time with the kids. This is the stuff that can multiply into the next generations - those kids doing the same thing in 10 years or so. Let us hope that the school systems don't shoot themselves in the foot over something petty.........

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Khora

And to be so bold as to cross threads here-

wouldn't it be really great if those chosen to teach can shatter some stereotypes at the same time? Women brass players, male flute players, and everything else that shows all kids that anyone can be whatever they work toward, regardless of race, gender, age, etc!

ecarroll

Khora,

Knowing my friends at Juilliard, the Fellowships (a sexist name, I suppose) that are awarded will be gender blind. One of the best in the current crop is a trumpeter named Rachel Morgan. Rachel took the class last summer at Chosen Vale and is just back from touring with the Verbier orchestra. She would be a super candidate.

Best,
EC

Khora

Rachel would most definitely be an excellent choice. I've heard her play several times, and it is always a pleasure. And I have no doubt about the gender blindness at Juilliard.

I was really speaking rather generally about the fellowships (and having received a few, I've never even considered that a sexist word before!), and what opportunities the whole process might afford on a number of different levels. Certainly no offense intended at any point!

ecarroll

Khora,

I agree wholeheartedly. This is an opportunity for kids in the city to experience music brought to them by a talented, young, and (hopefully) diverse group of musicians. It's also an opportunity to teach young Juilliarders that there's more to what we do than the concert stage and recording studio. Our community matters.

I'd wager that the impression made on these kids will be much stronger than one made by another fat, bald, old guy (see: EC) (increasingly all three)

Best,
EC