Comments on: APU School of Music, 1999 vs 2009

By: Wendy Hinkle

Wendy Hinkle — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:59:44 +0000

Yeah, well David, at least you’re WORKING in the music industry. I’d say that’s a success, in and of itself. :)

Congrats Mike, on being a part of all that growth. And thank you, Matt and Chad for getting funnier every year! My cheeks hurt from laughing.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:18:42 +0000

I’d happily adjunct #4. And by adjunct, I mean be a case study. Sort of a Goofus and Gallant thing.

By: michael lee

michael lee — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:47:34 +0000

OK, in all seriousness, the 5-year goals are a long list, but here are some that are close to my heart.

1. A dedicated recording studio, staffed by both a professional staff engineer and student assistants, along with a B room and a C room that are readily available for student engineers to use.

2. Right now, we offer no online courses. Within 5 years, we want to make a significant portion of the 1st-year coursework available in an online format, so that students who are motivated can get some of the early courses completed over the summer, before their first semester. Also, students who take remedial courses (music fundamentals, etc.) can use online courses over the summer to get back on track. This would also make it possible for students to commute from longer distances, and only be on campus one or two days a week for ensembles and lessons.

3. We want to secure a reduction in General Studies units for BMus students, so that they can complete their schooling in 4 years instead of 5.

4. A regular seminar in how to be a professional musician. How to balance accounts, how to use debt wisely, how to manage income for taxes, how to market yourself, how to connect with people who can be influential in your career, things that don’t have to do with music, but have everything to do with being a professional.

5. A proficiency exam for every single program within the School of Music, that must be passed prior to the Junior year of study. At the end of your sophomore year, if you can’t explain the basics of music theory, can’t pass an aural exam (ear-training), can’t correctly identify the ranges of standard instruments, you no longer get to be a composition major. That sort of thing.

By: David Michael Loucks

David Michael Loucks — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:24:48 +0000

Holy crap! I can’t stop laughing about “Asshatery”… that might be the funniest comment I’ve read in 10 years! Kudos Matt.
This is a GREAT list, Mike… from my perspective as an alum who’s relatively out of touch with what’s been going on since I graduated in… ahem… 96, this is EXTREMELY encouraging and marks what I would call a HUGE step forward in a short amount of time. Thanks for sharing this good news.
And Chad… as a word of encouragement, ummm I actually won that GMA top award too, so if MY subsequent success is any indication… it’s a relatively useless honor. So I don’t think you’re an asshat. :-)

By: Bill Heatley

Bill Heatley — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:15:16 +0000

Very impressive list. I read it via email and was wondering what effusive and gorifying comments about what God has been doing at APU over the last 10 years would be filling the pages of Addison Road…saw Chad’s initial comment and fell off my chair laughing. You people have got to stop making me laugh that hard.

By: michael lee

michael lee — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:18:23 +0000

Now, most of the good ones start over there for 2 years, then come over to APU to finish up.

By: sharolyn

sharolyn — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:05:15 +0000

#7 – When I was in college, some of the decent jazz players went next door to Citrus College.

By: sharolyn

sharolyn — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:03:44 +0000

Thanks, Matt. Very informational. :)
Also, I don’t think the latter would go over very well with the Dean.

By: Matt Eby

Matt Eby — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:22:04 +0000

Very interesting and informative; thanks Mike.

By: Matty

Matty — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:06:20 +0000

Sharolyn means “The Asshattery”, I believe.

The Asshatery is already an established “heterosexual-only” club in West Hollywood.

By: Chad

Chad — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:56:07 +0000

I eat free. Every day.

By: Sharolyn

Sharolyn — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 04:18:14 +0000

Goal #4 – Install snack bar called The Asshatery.

By: Chad

Chad — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:37:39 +0000

Asshat is a pretty funny term.

By: Laura Britvec

Laura Britvec — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:58:17 +0000

Here Chad, I’ll go for the *unmistakably* self-deprecating angle:

1999: No Laura
2009: Still no Laura

We got it–Brian and I laughed. That said, I think we laughed harder that Mike called you an asshat. Hee hee hee…I mean, ahem.

By: michael lee

michael lee — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:32:23 +0000

1. Faculty hottub.
2. Eliminate the degree in vocal performance.
3. Make the whole school a two-year technical college instead of a university.

All in all, good changes I think.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:55:34 +0000

It is refreshing to see a positive post anywhere about our School of Music. Granted, it is by someone IN the department, and numbers are certainly not everything, but I second the fact that these are great changes. There are always losses as personnel and priorities change, but there are great gains as well. I transferred to APU in 2001, and I am planning to finish my Master’s this May. I have witnessed most of these things, and they are greatly worth celebrating.

So what are the goals for the next 5 years?

By: Sharolyn

Sharolyn — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:24:46 +0000

Asshat?

I was wondering how the demise of Jubilant Song came about.

And, it’s kind of hard to wrap my brain around all the brilliant stuff that is going on.

By: michael lee

michael lee — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:20:28 +0000

Was it Rosy? Cause that totally sounds like Rosy.

By: Jon Mann

Jon Mann — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:36:44 +0000

1999 featured myself on bass in the defunct Jubilant Song playing alongside a drummer who was told repeatedly by our director “Don’t groove”

By: Rach

Rach — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:13:18 +0000

I think 1999 also featured Jubilant Song’s final glorious year, featuring moi…