COLLEGE TEACHERS:

[windshieldbug]

OK bloke, I'm one of those people who ALWAYS thinks of themselves as a student (but may not be in the age group you're looking for... )

First of all, I've seen the conservatory model not work in an university. I've seen it fail where the adjuncts were so worried about their own playing gigs (and rightfully so, since the university was "saving money" by just paying for the adjunct part, not full-time) that they weren't at all helping the students who weren't raised in the conservatory environment (self-directed or die), nor should they have been, since the students would have gone there instead if they were truly self-directed and serious about playing. For most, if not all programs, applied tuba (and/or euphonium) just isn't a full time job.

So how do you make it a full time gig and get the type of students you've got IN your school the type of teaching they're paying for? By adding something else, be it history, methods, theory, or whatever. And how should someone who is seriously looking into a university gig prepare for getting one? By getting some backround in another subject, which usually means an advanced degree.

Should you be able to play your *** off? Yes. But, unless you're a trumpet teacher, expect either to spend some contact time teaching a class as well, or put your school behind your gigging. Should paying students be happy with that? (plus, while you may be able to play, it doesn't automatically mean you can do more than just grunt at the students, or tell them what works for YOU).

[side note] Why is Bill Bell considered a GOD? He could both PLAY and TEACH.

[windshieldbug]

I was looking for an emoticon with it's tongue out

Here:

[Sean Greene]

My favorite quote on this issue comes from Richard Davis. He often says he holds a doctorate from the Sarah Vaughan Academy.....And he does.


The only other thing I can add is another quote from a trombonist friend of mine who says, "A bad music teacher has to listen to bad music all day".

[windshieldbug]

I've heard that Your Name Here guy play before, and I wasn't ALL THAT impressed...

[jmh3412]

It is very interesting reading all the debate about performance degrees etc. In the UK, it was virtually impossible until fairly recently to apply for a Ph.D in performance. (although honorary doctorates have been the case for some time - e.g. Lambeth degrees for Church music etc.)

Admittedly certain colleges do offer this qualification now, but I suspect that there is still some degree of academic snobbery from the majority academic players regarding the granting of Doctorate status for performance studies.

I am not denying the efficacy of an educational system that offers doctorates in performance but am rather questioning how the two disciplines measure up in terms of academic rigour.

In short - I would be very interested in finding out, just what level of academic research is required for a performance doctorate , and whether the degree is afforded equivalent staus to a more tradition musicology doctorate.