another great piece, Ted. There's also the SFCM's Roots Jazz and American Music (RJAM) program that was launched under Stull. The program draws on the SFJAZZ Collective for faculty, so there's some smart neighborhood synergy. I'm hoping that space for jazz and kindred traditions continues to expand at the school...
Thanks, good to hear. I love that place, which is only less than a mile down the hill, and now it looks like music is beginning to return. I look forward to some SFCM performances in my near future.
I agree with others—this is great news! As a Juilliard graduate I couldn't agree more with the word "moribund" to describe the "Old Master" conservatories. As much as I hate being a cynic, though, I'm doubtful these innovations will even move the needle in terms of real-world jobs for music school graduates. But it's certainly a step in the right direction! And perhaps in a few more decades, the payoff will be more jobs in a generally healthier music performance ecosystem.
May 12, 2022·edited May 12, 2022Liked by Ted Gioia
Best news I've heard for years. My favorite living conductor is Herbert Blomstedt, former director of the SF SO, and his recent recordings are on Pentatone. Any and all such synergies are welcome!
The vision is awe-inspiring! If the operation and integration of the pieces matches the core values, it will be truly the state of the art in service to musicians, technicians, and educators, and eventually those of us who listen. It deals with “the tyranny of or”. I hope Mr. Stull has full support and the vision is shared so succession will seamless rather than heroic. I love this piece.
This is intriguing. Digital audio recording technology is getting better at the moment at a rapid pace, in the sense of technology at the same time being better and much cheaper than before. Now if you would get super top talent to practice and then record with the old workflow, ie. "studio live" you'd get fantastic audio recordings at a very, very low cost. One could imagine that a music school could incubate this level of musicianship. Maybe, just maybe, there might be something to this concept.
The biggest problem with music in general is that it has become an elitist cult. Music schools tend to promote a hierarchical and exclusive approach to music. A Mozart or Bach today would not find many academic music schools in which to thrive. Debussey walked out of Cesar Franck's orchestration class calling him "a modulating machine". Academics and creativity are often at odds. The former insists on rules that often crush creativity. As you mention, Ted,
an un-brainwashed culture needs to thrive before creative artists are allowed to surface. I'm not sure of the difference between a thriving recording company and an academic music school.
A new model for a music school is one of the answers.
I wouldn't want to take Stull from where he is and where is doing these great things ... but can you imagine what he might do at a great university? His ability to think outside the box and look for new ways of connecting is beyond amazing.
Another wonderful music scholar, teacher, lecturer, performer and composer spent time at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Dr. Robert Greenberg; I wonder whether Mr. Gioia is familiar with this brilliant man and his work.
Ted, you continue to break the mold. So important in the moribund music business world to point to poignant successes such as this. Kudos brother
another great piece, Ted. There's also the SFCM's Roots Jazz and American Music (RJAM) program that was launched under Stull. The program draws on the SFJAZZ Collective for faculty, so there's some smart neighborhood synergy. I'm hoping that space for jazz and kindred traditions continues to expand at the school...
Thanks, good to hear. I love that place, which is only less than a mile down the hill, and now it looks like music is beginning to return. I look forward to some SFCM performances in my near future.
I agree with others—this is great news! As a Juilliard graduate I couldn't agree more with the word "moribund" to describe the "Old Master" conservatories. As much as I hate being a cynic, though, I'm doubtful these innovations will even move the needle in terms of real-world jobs for music school graduates. But it's certainly a step in the right direction! And perhaps in a few more decades, the payoff will be more jobs in a generally healthier music performance ecosystem.
Great article about a school that is actually interested in something more than collecting tuition, like getting students working. Brilliant.
I've shared this piece with online friends who work in the music world.
Visionary leadership is critical.
Best news I've heard for years. My favorite living conductor is Herbert Blomstedt, former director of the SF SO, and his recent recordings are on Pentatone. Any and all such synergies are welcome!
Heartwarming story, but the overriding question in my mind is how to we clone David H. Stull?
The vision is awe-inspiring! If the operation and integration of the pieces matches the core values, it will be truly the state of the art in service to musicians, technicians, and educators, and eventually those of us who listen. It deals with “the tyranny of or”. I hope Mr. Stull has full support and the vision is shared so succession will seamless rather than heroic. I love this piece.
As a recovering music faculty member, this is really inspiring. Great article, Ted! It seems there is hope after all...
This is intriguing. Digital audio recording technology is getting better at the moment at a rapid pace, in the sense of technology at the same time being better and much cheaper than before. Now if you would get super top talent to practice and then record with the old workflow, ie. "studio live" you'd get fantastic audio recordings at a very, very low cost. One could imagine that a music school could incubate this level of musicianship. Maybe, just maybe, there might be something to this concept.
The biggest problem with music in general is that it has become an elitist cult. Music schools tend to promote a hierarchical and exclusive approach to music. A Mozart or Bach today would not find many academic music schools in which to thrive. Debussey walked out of Cesar Franck's orchestration class calling him "a modulating machine". Academics and creativity are often at odds. The former insists on rules that often crush creativity. As you mention, Ted,
an un-brainwashed culture needs to thrive before creative artists are allowed to surface. I'm not sure of the difference between a thriving recording company and an academic music school.
A new model for a music school is one of the answers.
Great. This is nice but they should also teach a course on computer science so that the students can get a real job and work on the side if need be.
I wouldn't want to take Stull from where he is and where is doing these great things ... but can you imagine what he might do at a great university? His ability to think outside the box and look for new ways of connecting is beyond amazing.
Another wonderful music scholar, teacher, lecturer, performer and composer spent time at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Dr. Robert Greenberg; I wonder whether Mr. Gioia is familiar with this brilliant man and his work.