I grew up with many students of Mr Kadz and van der Sloot. I didn't even need to live in Calgary to know the great reputation these teachers brought the school. I don't understand why a decision like this would possibly be made, the conservatory is losing the two most instrumental the conservatory had probably ever had. These two teachers were the reason people internationally knew Mount Royal, and to lose them is a huge loss to Calgary, Alberta and Canada.
Z
Zachary Cetinic
10 years ago
This is outrageous!
B
Beth Nickel
10 years ago
Shocked to hear of this. As a previous student of Mr. van der Sloot, I can attest to his high level of instruction. A high percentage of his students have been trained and prepared by him for a career as a professional musician. Mr. Kadz is also an amazing teacher and musician. The shortsighted termination of their positions will prove to be a detriment to Mount Royal.
L
Lou Dunand-Vincent
10 years ago
I just truly don't understand how a university can put so much efforts towards the destruction of their students' year and possible future. Everybody that had the chance of working with Mr. Kadz and Mr. van der Sloot have only good things to say about them and that is the only testimony that matters. MRU says on its website that they are "committed to a strong undergraduate experience and admires the excellence in teaching found at Mount Royal University". I cannot see any of it in their actions of the past few days.
G
Grace Yip
10 years ago
I grew up in Saskatchewan and am now working as a professional musician in Ontario where there are numerous arts organizations, all competing for recognition and for funding. When I moved out here, I was surprised to learn that this Western Canadian institution had earned a good reputation and respect from many people in this province, and not just with musicians but with the general population. Mount Royal must have been doing something quite remarkable if people from Eastern Canada were taking notice- we have so many organizations even just in Toronto, not even counting the GTA and Ottawa and further beyond into Montreal/Quebec. With so much going on here and a tendency to be focussed on our own local scenes (a lot of it being Toronto-centric), it is easy to be lost in the shuffle. The board should be proud and take note that Mount Royal conservatory was well regarded in communities on a national level, being recognized in purely on its good reputation in a part of the country that owns the national capital, as well as holding its own against some the oldest and most revered artistic institutions in Canada. The board needs to respect its history and be very cautious about moving forward in a way that threatens the backbone of what has been established over the many years of its success. The results will affect you not just locally, but on a grander, national level.
L
Lianne Jones
10 years ago
You can't put a dollar value on arts education. It is invaluable and its effects can't be measured! Please restore funding!
K
Kathy Dornian
10 years ago
It is difficult to add any other comments to those that have been already so beautifully expressed in the letter to the Board of Governors, as well as by those coming from students, parents, members of the community and faculty, all of whom, like myself, feel utterly shocked by these recent and not so recent events. Neither vision nor integrity have been demonstrated by the current MRU administration, whose actions have shown a complete lack of understanding of the Conservatory and its significant role within the community at large as well as a blatant disregard of two esteemed individuals who have been pillars of our institution, Bill VanderSloot and John Kadz.
A
Andrew T Park
10 years ago
This decision is appalling. It was clearly made by people ignorant of the true workings of music education in the international community. These teachers' loss of position is a tragedy to the conservatory, Alberta and Canada.
D
Darryl Webb
10 years ago
Short sighted vision
T
Tessa Rogers
10 years ago
Keep this awesome establishment going!
C
Claire Bourgeois
10 years ago
This is incredibly disappointing. I hope that MRU administration will realize the value of conservatory programming.
G
Gayle Parker
10 years ago
Government can afford the most atrocious so called "art" like the revulsifying monstrosity of anti art hanging over Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary yet the want to cut a most valuable person and program from MRU!!? What planet are those people from making those decisions?
S
Sam McNally
10 years ago
The academy has had an imeasurable impact on me both as a human and musician. It needs to remain a "pillar of excellence" for generations to come.
A
Adele Bird
10 years ago
Music is a vital part of education. Our youth deserve these opportunities.
P
Paul Dornian
10 years ago
Featured
Bil van der Sloot and John Kadz are absolute leaders in their field. They are recognized and sought after nationally and internationally and are 'rock stars' in the music education world. Hard to understand what the decision makers think they are accomplishing.
A
Andres Cardenes
10 years ago
This is an outrage. Professor Vandersloot is one of the world's greatest teachers and has built a respected and world renowned conservatory at Mt Royal University. A complete abuse of power and an obviously stupid maneuver. This gentleman deserves utmost respect and consideration. He should be reinstated immediately with a humble (is that even possible?) and public apology for this un fathomable insult to him, the students, Canadian arts education and the world music industry. Shame on those responsible.
L
Larry Sloan
10 years ago
Disgraceful and pathetic. Someone is paid to make such decisions?!!
F
Frank Cao
10 years ago
Absolutely.
J
Jamie Parker
10 years ago
This is spectacularly disappointing news. The leadership of MRU should be ashamed of their systematic dismantling and destruction of the Conservatory faculty and leadership.
MRU must make this right!!!
I grew up with many students of Mr Kadz and van der Sloot. I didn't even need to live in Calgary to know the great reputation these teachers brought the school. I don't understand why a decision like this would possibly be made, the conservatory is losing the two most instrumental the conservatory had probably ever had. These two teachers were the reason people internationally knew Mount Royal, and to lose them is a huge loss to Calgary, Alberta and Canada.
This is outrageous!
Shocked to hear of this. As a previous student of Mr. van der Sloot, I can attest to his high level of instruction. A high percentage of his students have been trained and prepared by him for a career as a professional musician. Mr. Kadz is also an amazing teacher and musician. The shortsighted termination of their positions will prove to be a detriment to Mount Royal.
I just truly don't understand how a university can put so much efforts towards the destruction of their students' year and possible future. Everybody that had the chance of working with Mr. Kadz and Mr. van der Sloot have only good things to say about them and that is the only testimony that matters. MRU says on its website that they are "committed to a strong undergraduate experience and admires the excellence in teaching found at Mount Royal University". I cannot see any of it in their actions of the past few days.
I grew up in Saskatchewan and am now working as a professional musician in Ontario where there are numerous arts organizations, all competing for recognition and for funding. When I moved out here, I was surprised to learn that this Western Canadian institution had earned a good reputation and respect from many people in this province, and not just with musicians but with the general population. Mount Royal must have been doing something quite remarkable if people from Eastern Canada were taking notice- we have so many organizations even just in Toronto, not even counting the GTA and Ottawa and further beyond into Montreal/Quebec. With so much going on here and a tendency to be focussed on our own local scenes (a lot of it being Toronto-centric), it is easy to be lost in the shuffle. The board should be proud and take note that Mount Royal conservatory was well regarded in communities on a national level, being recognized in purely on its good reputation in a part of the country that owns the national capital, as well as holding its own against some the oldest and most revered artistic institutions in Canada. The board needs to respect its history and be very cautious about moving forward in a way that threatens the backbone of what has been established over the many years of its success. The results will affect you not just locally, but on a grander, national level.
You can't put a dollar value on arts education. It is invaluable and its effects can't be measured! Please restore funding!
It is difficult to add any other comments to those that have been already so beautifully expressed in the letter to the Board of Governors, as well as by those coming from students, parents, members of the community and faculty, all of whom, like myself, feel utterly shocked by these recent and not so recent events. Neither vision nor integrity have been demonstrated by the current MRU administration, whose actions have shown a complete lack of understanding of the Conservatory and its significant role within the community at large as well as a blatant disregard of two esteemed individuals who have been pillars of our institution, Bill VanderSloot and John Kadz.
This decision is appalling. It was clearly made by people ignorant of the true workings of music education in the international community. These teachers' loss of position is a tragedy to the conservatory, Alberta and Canada.
Short sighted vision
Keep this awesome establishment going!
This is incredibly disappointing. I hope that MRU administration will realize the value of conservatory programming.
Government can afford the most atrocious so called "art" like the revulsifying monstrosity of anti art hanging over Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary yet the want to cut a most valuable person and program from MRU!!? What planet are those people from making those decisions?
The academy has had an imeasurable impact on me both as a human and musician. It needs to remain a "pillar of excellence" for generations to come.
Music is a vital part of education. Our youth deserve these opportunities.
Bil van der Sloot and John Kadz are absolute leaders in their field. They are recognized and sought after nationally and internationally and are 'rock stars' in the music education world. Hard to understand what the decision makers think they are accomplishing.
This is an outrage. Professor Vandersloot is one of the world's greatest teachers and has built a respected and world renowned conservatory at Mt Royal University. A complete abuse of power and an obviously stupid maneuver. This gentleman deserves utmost respect and consideration. He should be reinstated immediately with a humble (is that even possible?) and public apology for this un fathomable insult to him, the students, Canadian arts education and the world music industry. Shame on those responsible.
Disgraceful and pathetic. Someone is paid to make such decisions?!!
Absolutely.
This is spectacularly disappointing news. The leadership of MRU should be ashamed of their systematic dismantling and destruction of the Conservatory faculty and leadership.