PETITION FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF JOHN KADZ

What a shocking and confusing decision, one in a long line of decisions made by this institution that seems to be based on a lack of understanding of the true value of musical education and ignores meaningful support of young musicians' careers and professional development. With continued momentum in this misguided direction, MRU risks losing an already compromised reputation in this city and in the musical community at large.

John Kadz is pre-eminent among cello teachers in North America. First as a colleague, and now as a parent of one of his students, it is inconceivable to me that MRU is unable and unwilling to recognize his immeasurable gifts to his students and the Conservatory. Students come from all over the world to study with him; his former students can be found in almost every orchestra in North America. This decision is short-sighted, ridiculous, and shows the willingness of the administration of MRU to oversee the transformation of the Conservatory from a world-class institution into a corner-store music school.

John Kadz is recognized by the national and international music community as an outstanding, uniquely qualified and deeply experienced teacher, particularly for the age group served by the Conservatory at Mount Royal University. His contributions and developments to every program he has touched there over the past four decades are immeasurable; it is inexplicable to anyone who understands music education that he should not be allowed to continue his work at a place that has - until now - been heralded as a leading institution of its kind in North America!

John Kadz is a musical giant in the Canadian music scene, and he is the pillar of strength and backbone of the MRU Conservatory. As an alumnus, I am deeply saddened and shocked by the recent events. When you're great, you're indispensable. Whether you like it or not, MRU Conservatory needs John Kadz. He teaches at the highest level, and his personal investment in each of his students is invaluable. He is the person that will go the extra mile to help his students, in music and in life. There is no other person I would trust more than John Kadz. John Kadz embodies all the values an institution should look for in a teacher and human being. Without him, the MRU Conservatory would not be where it's at today. It's not hard to make the right choice when you know what your values are. I really hope that as an elite institution, MRU would make the right choice going forward.

I studied with Mr. Kadz during two consecutive summers at Morningside MusicBridge, and was struck by his commitment and energy in guiding his students toward the highest musical ideals. To see him pushed out of the Mount Royal Conservatory is shocking and does not reflect well on the institution's ability to recognize his value as a pedagogue.

I find this news shocking. This is not the way to treat such a long-time and valued faculty member.

I got the opportunity to study with Mr. Kadz 2 times in the Morningside Music Bridge Summer Festival in Calgary. He was one of my favorite teachers who emphasized to me the importance of feeling lose and relaxed while playing. Mr. Kadz is a fantastic teacher who definitely formed and shaped the playing of many great cellists.

As an alumnus of the Academy program, I spent a lot of my formative years studying with John Kadz. When I say formative years, I mean as both a musician and as a human being. I would be neither the cellist I am today- nor the person I am today- had I not studied with him. Reading these other responses, it's clear I'm not alone. He's exactly the kind of person any institution should trust their students' future with, as countless people have done for over 40 years. I am curious to hear why management has decided that this is the best course of action, because I cannot comprehend any legitimate reason for letting go of a man who has given so much to the city of Calgary and the Conservatory. Additionally, I anticipate many would and will say similar things about my father, Bill van der Sloot, and his role as manager of the Academy program, which has been recently revoked.

Simply incomprehensible.

John Kadz is one of the world's finest cello teachers and I have the gravitas to make this statement. It would be a travesty to the school to lose such a distinguished and decorated master.

Mr. Kadz was my chamber music coach for 2 years at Mount Royal - he changed my life as a string player and I wouldn't be the player I am today without him. Mr. Kadz is world-renowned as a cello teacher and coach and Mount Royal would be fools not to hire him back.

When you go to a music school, you rarely if ever go for the school. You're going for the professor, to mislead students into thinking that they're going to be getting lessons with the person that is the only reason they have interest in a program, and then taking that away is unwarranted. I would be furious if I signed up for a university program for a specific prof, and get told a week before classes start that his contract was not renewed and they would not be teaching, that I would immediately start cancelling my registration and look for instruction with them privately. The teachers don't need the program, The program needs the teachers.

How does this make ANY sense???

As an alumni of MRU, I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. Mr. Kadz is one of the most influential teachers in North America and his teaching has had a massive impact on Canadian classical music. The conservatory at MRU would not be recognized as a leader in music education if it weren't for the people who have been there from the beginning like Mr. Kadz has been. There is a reason students from the conservatory have been successful and that is because of the private instruction they receive. As a violinist, I did not study privately with Mr. Kadz but I was greatly influenced by his teaching through chamber music and continue to be influenced by it to this day. Mr. Kadz is a pillar in the Canadian music community and MRU would not hold the international reputation it has built if it were not for his contribution.

John Kadz is a truly amazing educator and should be reinstated immediately!!

The pedagogue for a student is the most critical part of their musical education, far surpassing any other aspect of musical formation or development. John Kadz is an esteemed colleague and a renowned pedagogue. To force his students to study elsewhere at such a crucial point in their education will neither benefit them, nor the long standing international reputation of MRU which is based solely upon the talents and skills of the teaching staff, not of the administration or governing bodies of the conservatoire.

This is may have been a "careful decision", but it is a reckless decision that will prove to be a gross tragedy for the history and the future of the Conservatory and its students. Are you sure this is the legacy you want to leave? Please reinstate John Kadz as an instructor.

Deeply saddened and shocked by this news. John Kadz is one of Canada's musical giants in education and so many of us who are near or at the top of our professions owe so much of our training to John Kadz. His personal investment in the communities, the country, the college, his students - I cannot fathom how this might come to pass. He taught not only cello, but chamber music, artistry, technique, the art of being human. Without Mr. John Kadz, the conservatory of Music would not exist in any way or form the elite institution it is today. I personally, would not have any vibrato - and I'm fairly certain I would not be anywhere near where I am today. I cannot stress enough what a terrible, uninformed and short sighted decision this would be and a true black spot on any recommendations or standing the Conservatory holds today if it's followed through on. William Fedkenheuer Miró Quartet University of Texas at Austin Faculty - Violin and Chamber Music

Hello? MRU? It cannot be clearer that you should renew his contract.

This is an exceedingly short sighted decision made by the Conservatory and is extremely insulting to a great musician and teacher.