[CAUT] Rating schools (was Re: position announcements, etc)

[Fred Sturm]

	This sounds like a really promising approach. Logistically, coming up  
with ratings on all the music programs all at once is probably  
impractical. But maybe an additive approach would work, and I think it  
should be purely on a positive basis: we come up with some sort of  
standard (or, better, multi-tiered standard as in Acceptable/Good/ 
Excellent), and find schools which meet the standard(s). And publicize  
that list. Then it becomes a matter of schools asking to be evaluated  
and considered for inclusion, a prestige thing (in direct competition  
with "All-Steinway" <G>. Sometimes overlapping, perhaps).
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu



On Aug 24, 2008, at 9:04 AM, DCyr141833 at aol.com wrote:

> Well, here's my 2 cents......
> When Larry Fine came out with The Piano Book, he, in effect, was  
> looking to educate the consumer, who then would know what to look  
> for, and what questions to ask, which then put the manufacturers on  
> notice, and in the end made the manufacturers more responsible for  
> their end product.  Why can't something similar be done with schools  
> of music?  I put this to Larry, asking if this was something he'd be  
> interested in adding to his book.  He thought it was an excellent  
> idea, but probably should be undertaken as a separate project, by  
> CAUT.  His thoughts...
> My suggestion would be that CAUT should come up with -- to the  
> extent reasonably possible -- precise, objective criteria for piano  
> condition, maintenance, budget, etc. that music schools should  
> ideally have, and then give each school a numerical rating based on  
> those criteria.  These ratings, along with comments, could then be  
> published and offered to music educators and others who influence  
> student and parental decisions concerning choice of school to  
> attend.  It could be updated every few years.  I would be interested  
> in publishing such a book, or perhaps PTG would like to.
> I truly believe that the educated consumer - the music degree  
> seeking  student and their parents - knowing what questions to ask,  
> knowing what to look for, guided by some sort of "Handbook on Music  
> Schools" in which could be "ratings" of schools according to CAUT  
> guidelines - they will demand and cause more change among music  
> schools, more quickly, than all of our foot-stomping, rants, and  
> emails could ever do.
> All we need is someone willing to do the leg-work.
>
>
> Debbie Cyr
> Registered Piano Technician
> 508-202-2862 cell
>
>
>
> It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal  
> here.

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