I hardly have the words to express my feelings regarding this disastrous situation. Mr. van der Sloot was my first violin teacher and when he moved from Medicine Hat to Calgary, my mom drove three hours (both ways) every week so I could continue studying with him and benefiting from the Academy Program. During my post-secondary education, I studied at MRU for two years in the Advanced Performance Program before going to school in the US. The van der Sloot family has made me who I am today. Most of what I know I owe to them, and I am a different person than I would be had I not been a student of Bill's or a pupil of the Academy Program.
During my time at MRU I had the opportunity to study chamber music with Mr. Kadz and his influence inspires me to this day. These are two of the most accomplished, dedicated, and brilliant instructors at your institution and the music world of North America recognizes that. How could you cut out two of the most important pedagogues your institution has to offer? It is because of their dedication and commitment that MRU is on the world map as a respected school for music education.
Personally, I owe so much to these teachers and to the programs they built, as do so many people. Just look at this list of names! Many are pillars in the music world who have been influenced by the greatness of John Kadz and Bill van der Sloot. This is not only a massive blow to the reputation of Mount Royal University, but a great loss to the City of Calgary, to Alberta, and to the future of Canadian music.
H
Heather Bergen
9 years ago
I have known John Kadz since my time in the Calgary Youth Orchestra in the 1970's. My respect for him as a cello teacher and person was so high that when our daughter was 5 years old we begged him to take her as his student. She was the first young student he ever took and following his success with her - he started to take more young students. I strongly ask you to reinstate him. He is valuable to the Conservatory and the music community in Canada and abroad.
D
Donna DeLong
9 years ago
Your actions appear to be arbitary and irrational. Top down decision making causes distrust and disrespect. Remember that It is the year 2016, not 1950. If financial cuts need to be made please consider taking a collaborative approach and let the Conservatory faculty and staff make their own decisions about where and how to cut back their budget,or increase their revenue. In some fashion a collaborative approach might still be able to maintain some level of trust and respect. Unfortunately the message you are giving to the world right now is that this internationally renowned department at MRU lead by 2 internationally renowed faculty members does not add to the prestige that MRU so ardently craves. Please re-consider your decision.
C
Carol Sonnenberg
9 years ago
I am not a student or parent of a child attending Mount Royal but I believe this music program and its instructors are important. The arts should be encouraged and music students should have the best teachers that they can to further develop their talents. The world needs beautiful music and the other arts - it would be a pretty bleak place without them!
D
David Hetherington
9 years ago
The Mount Royal program spearheaded by Bill and John is the envy of the whole country and around the world. For all of us familiar with the incredible success of these two men this action to end their participation makes no sense at all.
H
Hallgrimur Benediktsson
9 years ago
I am mystified by this action. The Conservatory is probably the best known department in the institution - which used to be MRC and which is now a fledgling university. As a university it is poorly funded, and it will be a tough battle to garner a strong academic reputation as such. The last thing that the administration should do in such a situation is to cut off something that is actually working well and which has created a world wide reputation for MRU (MRC). This myopic action will punish the whole institution, unless the administrator(s) responsible see the light and take it back. It is perhaps not too late.
A
Alina Kazmierczak
9 years ago
This is very sad that highly educated teachers are being pushed out all over the country and good music programs are being replaced with some populist "art" or erased totally.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Put a musician to run the Conservatory.
A
Arlene Quackenbush
9 years ago
It is a very sad day when such a gifted teacher is denied the opportunity to continue to do what he does best. A terrible loss of Calgary.
A
Adele Hagen
9 years ago
This is so important to the Calgarians
L
Lance Knight
9 years ago
Please reconsider the most recent staffing decisions. Help keep MRU's music programs as attractive as they are now.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
A short-sighted and disappointing move on the part of the university though not surprising given a less than impressive track record in dealing with faculty challenges.
T
Trudy Fossey
9 years ago
Stop cutting the arts! Our culture and enjoyment in life is greatly enhanced by music. We need to give our children the opportunities to be creative and contributing members of society!
A
Anne Bouscal
9 years ago
I understand the current economic environment, but to terminate these programs and positions without warning shows poor judgement which reflects poorly on the faculty and institution.
M
Martin Kraemer
9 years ago
The Conservatory has a positive effect .n the cm unity far beyond the walls of the University. This is a disturbing pattern with wide implications.
B
Bruce Zeisel
9 years ago
Angry at the small minded willful step by step destruction of something fine.
G
Gord Baldwin
9 years ago
Give your collective heads a shake Charlie et al! Terrible decision...poorly timed and demonstrating no foresight!
P
Paul Chidley
9 years ago
Music is extremely important to the development of intelligent people. Sounds like the school needs less Deans and Board Members and more constructive staff (teachers).
S
Sheila mcdonough
9 years ago
We need all the arts now more than ever!
T
Tricia Davies
9 years ago
Unbelievable ! For who's profit or political gain ? A reptuable one of a kind international music program in Canada. Whats the future for Canada in support of any talented and gifted individual persuing a professional career as a musician ?
I hardly have the words to express my feelings regarding this disastrous situation. Mr. van der Sloot was my first violin teacher and when he moved from Medicine Hat to Calgary, my mom drove three hours (both ways) every week so I could continue studying with him and benefiting from the Academy Program. During my post-secondary education, I studied at MRU for two years in the Advanced Performance Program before going to school in the US. The van der Sloot family has made me who I am today. Most of what I know I owe to them, and I am a different person than I would be had I not been a student of Bill's or a pupil of the Academy Program. During my time at MRU I had the opportunity to study chamber music with Mr. Kadz and his influence inspires me to this day. These are two of the most accomplished, dedicated, and brilliant instructors at your institution and the music world of North America recognizes that. How could you cut out two of the most important pedagogues your institution has to offer? It is because of their dedication and commitment that MRU is on the world map as a respected school for music education. Personally, I owe so much to these teachers and to the programs they built, as do so many people. Just look at this list of names! Many are pillars in the music world who have been influenced by the greatness of John Kadz and Bill van der Sloot. This is not only a massive blow to the reputation of Mount Royal University, but a great loss to the City of Calgary, to Alberta, and to the future of Canadian music.
I have known John Kadz since my time in the Calgary Youth Orchestra in the 1970's. My respect for him as a cello teacher and person was so high that when our daughter was 5 years old we begged him to take her as his student. She was the first young student he ever took and following his success with her - he started to take more young students. I strongly ask you to reinstate him. He is valuable to the Conservatory and the music community in Canada and abroad.
Your actions appear to be arbitary and irrational. Top down decision making causes distrust and disrespect. Remember that It is the year 2016, not 1950. If financial cuts need to be made please consider taking a collaborative approach and let the Conservatory faculty and staff make their own decisions about where and how to cut back their budget,or increase their revenue. In some fashion a collaborative approach might still be able to maintain some level of trust and respect. Unfortunately the message you are giving to the world right now is that this internationally renowned department at MRU lead by 2 internationally renowed faculty members does not add to the prestige that MRU so ardently craves. Please re-consider your decision.
I am not a student or parent of a child attending Mount Royal but I believe this music program and its instructors are important. The arts should be encouraged and music students should have the best teachers that they can to further develop their talents. The world needs beautiful music and the other arts - it would be a pretty bleak place without them!
The Mount Royal program spearheaded by Bill and John is the envy of the whole country and around the world. For all of us familiar with the incredible success of these two men this action to end their participation makes no sense at all.
I am mystified by this action. The Conservatory is probably the best known department in the institution - which used to be MRC and which is now a fledgling university. As a university it is poorly funded, and it will be a tough battle to garner a strong academic reputation as such. The last thing that the administration should do in such a situation is to cut off something that is actually working well and which has created a world wide reputation for MRU (MRC). This myopic action will punish the whole institution, unless the administrator(s) responsible see the light and take it back. It is perhaps not too late.
This is very sad that highly educated teachers are being pushed out all over the country and good music programs are being replaced with some populist "art" or erased totally.
Put a musician to run the Conservatory.
It is a very sad day when such a gifted teacher is denied the opportunity to continue to do what he does best. A terrible loss of Calgary.
This is so important to the Calgarians
Please reconsider the most recent staffing decisions. Help keep MRU's music programs as attractive as they are now.
A short-sighted and disappointing move on the part of the university though not surprising given a less than impressive track record in dealing with faculty challenges.
Stop cutting the arts! Our culture and enjoyment in life is greatly enhanced by music. We need to give our children the opportunities to be creative and contributing members of society!
I understand the current economic environment, but to terminate these programs and positions without warning shows poor judgement which reflects poorly on the faculty and institution.
The Conservatory has a positive effect .n the cm unity far beyond the walls of the University. This is a disturbing pattern with wide implications.
Angry at the small minded willful step by step destruction of something fine.
Give your collective heads a shake Charlie et al! Terrible decision...poorly timed and demonstrating no foresight!
Music is extremely important to the development of intelligent people. Sounds like the school needs less Deans and Board Members and more constructive staff (teachers).
We need all the arts now more than ever!
Unbelievable ! For who's profit or political gain ? A reptuable one of a kind international music program in Canada. Whats the future for Canada in support of any talented and gifted individual persuing a professional career as a musician ?