Maltby Academy axing music

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 06:34 PM

How could the Maltby Academy balance a 15:1 student:teacher ratio across an entire school day without engaging in some form of academic "elitism."

Most Americans are at least passingly familiar with the Catholic Church's historical influence on Western classical "art" music. Almost nobody but the Latter Day Saints know how involved Mormons were in the North American record industry (c.1940-2000.)

I know four full-time music educators, American and Caribbean. All four agree what comes under the general heading of "Post-Colonialism" has been hugely detrimental to classical music education. The argument that one can eliminate the churches whilst retaining the skill sets is not intellectually honest.

All four teachers are currently expanding their music departments in response to parent/student demand. All four work for parochial schools. I can't imagine anything more intrinsically useless than praising an imaginary being. But then all four of my mates are also survivors of the commercial entertainment biz and are now recovering addicts/alcoholics. Obviously they (and the parents and the students) disagree.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 10:58 AM

..and from our late teens to 30s, a youth movement all over the nation, inspired partly by the punk DIY ethic,
spontaneously established a network of local anti corporate music collectives, projects and free festivals.
The objective being to inspire teenagers to learn to play instruments, and find underused facilities to use as regular venues to gig, party, and express themselves....

My part of the south west flourished successfully with the "Sheep Worrying" collective...

Of course, like all great idealistic movements, it shone bright, then gradually dimmed, and extinguished
for various obvious economic & political reasons... plus we all got older, and ended up with jobs 'n' families... [in sadder individual cases, burnt out and dead...]

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 10:37 AM

Actually, to minimise confusion, it's probably about time we each defined what we mean by 'music' education...???

Maltby appears to be dropping Music GCSE.

In my day back in the 70s, most of our band were self taught,
as 'our' kind of music was seen as 'undesirable' and 'uncouth' by the mainstream schooling establishment.
Only our keyboard player had formal training and passed at higher grades.
But I can't remember if he actually did music O & A level at school.
Luckily we had decent younger hippyish teachers who encouraged us,
and would let us have unofficial access to school & 6 Form College rooms to practice in.

From the 80s, schools began to recognise the [economic ?] importance of contemporary popular music, and establish formal courses and training.


These days, I still see Music Technology and Performance courses as being popular and active at FE colleges and Universities.
Probably because they bring in students and money...????
.. 'pop music' being one of the few thriving UK export industries....

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 09:30 AM

This is a senior school axing Music not a University!The removal of choice is aimed at the age group who have not properly worked out their future study or work area.Lack of the "Arts"choices further narrows the vision of these young people who sadly now are taught not educated!

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 04:13 AM

I didn't get the elitist argument in my particular uni - our VC was a classical scholar with a very broad range of interests, including playing the saxophone, and had a wife who was a classical pianist - but I certainly heard the utilitarian one!

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 03:57 AM

I do agree with most of what you say Will, I too have worked in Academia for many years and I am sure that you are aware of how highly politicized it is. I based my statement on what I have seen and heard and much of it is highly charged political rhetoric which mitigates against arts and culture on the grounds that it is elitist, that music is the hobby of the one percent and all that rubbish,
I also see that universities are -becoming very expensive trade schools. I feel very strongly that music enjoyment and education should be available to all, but it seems to be a losing battle, unfortunately.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 03:15 AM

Just a slight observation here. I also agree that music should be available to all in schools and universities. However, the substance of the argument above is that the cut in subjects like music and art history is as a result of a political stance. I think that's misleading - and I spent over 40 years working in higher education.

As I see it, the lack of support comes from a viewpoint, not necessarily left-wing or right-wing, which sees the arts as of little utilitarian value in the world of work and "getting on". The decline of music in school is mirrored by the scorn of many people for the work of the Arts Council. Waste of money, they call it. I've heard it myself in some sections of university life where getting a degree is seen as more important than getting an education. I've seen the contempt of scientists at Faculty Boards when commenting on the validation of degrees in Social Science. "Hmmph", they snort, "where's the science?"

The whole business stems from people who demand that education must contribute to the material furthering of society in practical, money-making ways. Not education as a liberating broadening of the mind. And I've known people of all political persuasions who believe that - and many of whom believe the opposite.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,HiLol
Date: 18 Jul 16 - 06:53 PM

My observation , while working in universities, has been that courses in music and art history have been severely cut from liberal arts degrees. Student unions have cut back on allowing space to voluntary music groups. I am a firm believer in the culturally unify ing aspects of music.
requirements for students in the lberal arts have increasingly deleted music from programs and I think that teachers and students need to seriously resist that trend, but I fear that it is a losing battle unless we inform ourselves as to why it is happening. It is great loss and needs to be brought up in discussions of liberal arts education. I Have continued to conduct music sharing groups but in my last years As a prof was no longer allowed to do this on campus.we need to ask why and fight this regressive trend. If we don't, music will disappear from our e ducational institutions on the grounds that it is elitist. we need to inform ourselves and fight back, I think.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 16 - 03:15 PM

Legally can a school axe a subject half way through an examined course?
This action could have repercussions in a student's chance at higher education if they are missing gcse points for Uni.Or am I so behind the times that gcses do not count towards university places.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 18 Jul 16 - 08:14 AM

GUEST,HiLo - No.. I read and understood your point as written & posted, and responded to it.

If you failed to properly communicate the point you intended, well.. we're not mind readers...

I also responded in the context of mudcat being plagued by a hardcore bunch of bitter right wingers
who will invade & exploit any thread subject to take an opportunistic sly under-the-belt kick at 'the left'...

If you are not one of them, you certainly sounded like it when you posted.


Music Education is one matter very close to my heart, and certainly worth defending...

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 18 Jul 16 - 07:39 AM

You have missed the point ...again. So we will just have to leave it.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 18 Jul 16 - 05:44 AM

Did those nasty lefties also call you pompous and condescending, as well as an elitist... ???

It was you who went off on one blaming the left for your woes, at a time when not just music & arts learning,
but education as a whole is suffering chronic reduced funding and ideological interference and coercion under this tory government... 😣

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 18 Jul 16 - 02:29 AM

you have missed my point. you do have a habit of missing the point. My point is that I have seen the demise of many music programmes in schools and universities over the past number of years. The justification for this , in many cases , was that it is elitist and this line of thinking came from rather surprising elements of the highly politicized world of academia. It is not groundless bias to to state an opinion based on personal experience. In no way did I denigrate volunteers or community youth groups, they are probable the best hope many young people will have of being exposed to. The world of music. I have no idea how the Labour Party got into this conversation, Do please read what is written and don,t go madly off in all directions.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 08:57 PM

"arts"... oops..

I could go on, I can think of more, but I'm tired and need to sleep..

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 08:54 PM

It is also an insult to the countless local community youth music access projects and festivals that have struggled to establish and survive since the 1970s...

Mostly dependant on altruistic left & liberal volunteers,
and sponsorship from Labour council ars funding, and unions, and the like.

Funnily enough, most of these seem to have disappeared since the tories got back in.... 🙄

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 08:13 PM

me..? personal experience..

I've seen popular and thriving Music Technology and Performance courses in FE colleges, Universities, Schools, etc from the mid 90s to mid 00s..

.. coincedently under a Labour Government...

The part of your post that I called out as bollocks is:

" It is seen by the so called "liberal" left as elitists and therefore it must be expunged from the schools and Universities."

Apart from that groundless bias, I'm in accord with your views on the importance of music to our culture,

So, I confidently presume, are millions of other left and liberal inclined musicians....

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 06:53 PM

Pfr, I have worked in these places, heard these conversations and was witness to this kind of "anti elitist" arguments. it is not bollocks, it is based on years of experience and observation. I don,t know what e xperience you have of modern academia, none I suspect, but music and the arts are under siege in universities, it is a great loss.music is a wonderful unifier of cultures and we are losing it in our public institutions.
I have been an a meteur musician for many years and have loved sharing music with students of many backgrounds. The last few years of my career I was told that music clubs were not to continue as it was "elitist". My club was voluntary and many students of many cultures participated. I got so much grief, I finally gave it up. what has your experience been ? Better than mine I hope!

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,Becs Marker
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 02:58 PM

Hi im an ex maltby student, to give a little back ground the school feels the uptake of music has seen a steady decline over the last few years as a GCSE despite there still being on average 15+ students taking the subject. The school often forces students into other subject areas to meet their baccalaureate requirements.

No community consultation has been put forward and the removal of the subject has been kept very much under the carpet till the end of term to avoid the community finding out. From september both KS3 and KS4 music will no longer be offered. Students currently studying for their GCSE will be unable to complete their course, with no other alternative offered.

As ex students, current students, teachers and the local community we are fighting this decision as far as we can.

If anyone feels they are able to sign and share our petition it would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.change.org/p/principal-and-head-of-maltby-academy-save-music-at-maltby-academy?recruiter=572750414&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

There is also a group available on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/545015529019723/548721451982464/?notif_t=group_activity?if_id=1468747814159742

This is for anyone that would like to join in this discussion with those affected and those supporting the fight to keep music as a subject at maltby, which as I'm sure a lot of people are aware has a long successful history as a musical school.

Thanks, Becs

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 02:16 PM

HiLo - a fairly valid observation, apart from the second sentence which is complete bollocks... 🙄

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 01:56 PM

I am not at all surprised by this. In the many years I taught I have seen music both in state schools and in Universities eroded to the point where it is non existent. It is seen by the so called "liberal" left as elitists and therefore it must be expunged from the schools and Universities. A shame, music for all in schools was a great equalizer and students could enjoy lessons for free. In universities it has faded away along with art history and general culture courses...the revenge of the Philistines !

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: Vic Smith
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 12:10 PM

Disgraceful!

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 16 - 10:24 AM

The logic of removing music from the school seems to be that as a science academy there is no place for music...
Strange my predominantly science academy boasted several orchestras ,bands etc. as well as staging an opera each year. G&S featured only once each 4 years!
Our education was the richer for it.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST,Enfield/Swindon Pete
Date: 16 Jul 16 - 02:41 AM

Not surprised. As a lecturer of some 30 years I have and continue to see the stifling of creativity of students in educating driven by an obsession of neo liberalism. Kids are not actually taught anything nowadays they are merely trained to pass exams.   Don't question or think about anything just learn this and regurgitate it. There is an obsession with math as if being an expert in this area will make you the ideal worker in the future. So this news comes as no surprise to me and future generations are taught to be passive automatons to function purely for the benefit of a neo liberal elite. Where are the future designers, artists, musicians coming from? Certainly not from generations now taught dumbed down syllabuses and X Factor style programming.

Subject: RE: Maltby Academy axing music
From: RTim
Date: 15 Jul 16 - 07:38 PM

I assume that Paul Davenport is NOT happy about this.........


Tim Radford

Subject: Maltby Academy axing music
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 16 - 07:08 PM

Maltby Academy Yorkshire is axing music from the begining of next accademic year.
Abandoning those who have chosen and started gcse music as well as the rest of the students.
The news has come just at the end of term and the decision seems to be beyond question or discussion.

Is this happening in other academies or is this an isolated case?