Music teaching in Universities

[Rod]

I watched a 'fly-on-the-wall ' documentary on TV last night about the music department of an Australian (I think) University. The utter nonsence uttered by the head of department, a female wrestler ("I am a composer" she proposterously announced herself to a class of students..."don't try and compose the Rites of Spring, you can't" she blasted - who would want to!!!??), only proved a most excellent point written by Lang in his Handel biography. Lang was discussing why music never took off in England after Handel's good example - his answer was simple - he said the reason why we produced only lame composers was because the novices were now being trained in Universities/Academies and not by practising composer-teachers hardened to the peaks and pitfalls of the music scene. This can be applied not only to England, but, I think, the rest of the world! The saving grace is that this particular music department was having its funds drastically cut, justifiable considering 90% of the stuff they teach I'm sure serves little or no purpose in promoting the understanding of music and composition.

------------------
"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 08-14-2001).]

[Peter]

I think you're right - Bartok only taught piano at the Budapest conservatoire as he believed composition could not be taught.


------------------
'Man know thyself'

[Bob the Composer]

Originally posted by Peter:
I think you're right - Bartok only taught piano at the Budapest conservatoire as he believed composition could not be taught.

To a certain extent, yes this is correct. A person must have inherent talent and a latent ability to express themselves through it, or else everything they can learn in a university is useless. Nonetheless, university education is not entirely useless, for when done right, it can teach a young composer discipline and perhaps whatever basic knowledge he\she still lacks. However, a composer must also learn some things on their own. I myself am primarily self-taught, and by I now I have picked up most of the basics. I still have some trouble with counterpoint and variation forms, but I am learning, and my counterpoint skills are now improving. I will be going to a university soon, and they teach music there. I look forward to it, but I will be mindful about what they say and wether or not it works for me.

<font color="green">Bob

------------------
Some have said I am ripe for the Madhouse. Does that make me Beethoven? No, but it is interesting.

[This message has been edited by Bob the Composer (edited 08-15-2001).]