Woodwind.OrgThe Clarinet BBoardThe C4 standard

 
  BBoard Equipment Study Resources Music General    
 
 New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Search  |  Help/Rules  |  Smileys/Notes  |  Log In   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 
 Growing by Shrinking?
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2010-04-02 15:13

The Longy School of Music is trying to grow -- by firing 20% of its teachers.

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/04/01/cambridge_music_school_cuts_jobs_seeks_partner/?page=full

Note also the number of undergraduates: 44.

Ken Shaw

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Growing by Shrinking?
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2010-04-02 15:31

That's often made in order to lower the amount of obligations (that might be difficult to get rid of in the future) to appear more attractive for an investor. Investors like to buy a lean company with as little overhead value (cash, long-term commitments) as possible.

Slightly odd that a school would do this, however. Unless your concept of a school doesn't differ from any other value generating entity.

--
Ben

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Growing by Shrinking?
Author: Bob Phillips 
Date:   2010-04-02 15:51

Be part of the problem, get your MBA.

Interesting article recently in Newsweek, pointing out that knocking off employees may not be the best long-term strategy.

The prime Newsweek example of staff conservation is Southwest Airlines --that did not go into hiding after 9/11, but built to become the most successful airline in the USA.

People, in fact, are an organization's most important resource; but if they are considered to be a commodity, like floor wax, then the organization's management is ignorant and the organization is doomed.

Bob Phillips

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Growing by Shrinking?
Author: Ed Palanker 
Date:   2010-04-03 00:54

As much as I hate to see people laid off or fired, especially music teachers and performers I must ask this. Why do we have so many music schools in this country? It seems every college and university today feels that it has to have a music major department. I'm not talking about music ed, music history or music 101, I'm talking about performance degrees. Just how many students do we have to train for a field that has little or almost no opportunity to find a job. Boston alone has several major music performance schools and I have no idea how many other schools in the area offer performance degrees. It's not like we're growing more opportunities for these graduates to compete of a job, as a matter of fact, we're losing positions in that field. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Growing by Shrinking?
Author: Katrina 
Date:   2010-04-03 01:15

I wouldn't write off the current glut of extremely talented players as one of the causes for the "too many music schools" problem.

Many good teachers with no other skills need jobs too, sadly.

Most schools do not prepare their students for a (probable) job outside their major. I know I am pretty much a trained clarinet monkey with no other quantifiable skills. And that's as a performance major who didn't end up wanting an orchestra gig after all!

Reply To Message
 
 Re: Growing by Shrinking?
Author: Bob Phillips 
Date:   2010-04-03 01:45

I am saddened by many things in our society, but one of the most painful is the disrespect that we render to our talented young people by failing to have a lively and active industry for them.

As an orchestra groupie, I'm stunned at the sensitivity and artistry of the professional players I know. I get so much out of associating with them, listening to them play --and more importantly, having them teach or to watch them teach.

These are the people who have had the talent, and dedication needed to meet Malcom Gladwell's 10,000 hours of work to become virtuosic.

They should be valued by orders of magnitude more than some of our "respected" artists who accomplished their musicianship in less than 15-hours playing "guitar hero."

For goodness sake, buy tickets to your local performances. Buy extras and take your neighbors...

Bob Phillips

Reply To Message
 Avail. Forums  |  Threaded View   Newer Topic  |  Older Topic 


 Avail. Forums  |  Need a Login? Register Here 
 User Login
 User Name:
 Password:
 Remember my login:
   
 Forgot Your Password?
Enter your email address or user name below and a new password will be sent to the email address associated with your profile.
Search Woodwind.Org

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

The Clarinet Pages
For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.

 
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org