And from the other most opinionated woman on Mudcat:
Why doesn't anyone read the previous threads (here's the last one) which mushroom annually with monotonous regularity? Or better still, examine the course content?

I really can't be arsed to repeat everything I've written before for the benefit of the wilfully ignorant because they really ought to engage in a smidgeon of basic research themselves. There again, as Ruth says (more or less), these ill-informed whingers probably failed O level in coherent thought. This is just one contribution I made previously:

People might take a moment to read about what the four-year BMus course actually entails. such as course content and entry requirements, before deluging this space with the usual prejudices such as 'we never needed this sort of thing in my day' and 'reading music stops you being a proper trad musician', blah blah . . .

Also they might bear in mind that England is very much behind other countries (not least Scotland and Ireland) as well as Finland and Sweden, in giving equal recognition to traditional as to establishment arts.

The website is a bit crap and I can't link to the actual course page. You have to click through from 'Learning & Participation'.

http://www.thesagegateshead.co.uk/

In short, the Newcastle degree is performance-based and although there are no formal entry requirements, it is unlikely that a student would be admitted were their abilities noticeably below Grade VIII. Additionally, the course provides modules in business elements which equip students with skills relevant to a wide area of expertise. It does not exist to churn out fodder for "f*lk clubs", nor should it. That would be as idiotic as the wholly stupid putdown jeer of those same whingers who decry a catering course for its oriental cuisine element as "degrees in curry-making".

Today, 50% of the population is expected to graduate in something (anything) purely to complete their formal education. If this can be achieved in a subject dear to the student's heart, which they will enjoy and be able to continue throughout their lives whether or not they are actually making their living in a related field, so much the better