International musicians urge Waikato University to reconsider cuts

The Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts is the base for students studying music at the University of Waikato and where the proposed cuts are to be made. Photo / Supplied

Top international musicians and professionals have joined the campaign to stop the University of Waikato going ahead with proposed job cuts which could jeopardise the school of music's good reputation.

The submissions to the proposal to cut three of the eight jobs from the financially underperforming music programme at the university's Conservatorium of Music closed on Friday following a two-week submission process.

At least 70 letters from past students, music teachers and international professors were received. The Herald has only sighted the submissions that were made public, but more were sent directly to the university's council.

Canadian bassoonist George Zukerman, who has been a regular visitor to Hamilton, said in his submission he hoped the rumour about plans to cut funding and activities were false "and that the Waikato administration, in its wisdom, will recognise the value of the Conservatorium and its related music programme to the community at large as well as to the worldwide arts community".

Zukerman said the music school had enabled New Zealand students to grow their talents at home rather than fleeing to London, New York or Toronto.

He urged the university to delay any proposed cuts to the conservatorium until "proper consultation can be conducted, both with staff and the general public".

London's Guildhall School of Music & Drama professor Dr David Dolan said students from the school had a good working ethos, level of understanding, depth and original thinking which was only possible when a top-level culture of teaching, research and working is implemented.

Dolan, who is a concert pianist, said during a four-day visit to the school last year he was impressed with the facility.

"I can only congratulate you for having such a centre of excellence, which surely is a point of strength within the university, nationally and internationally."

International PhD student Teresa Connors, who is studying at the music school, challenged the information the proposal was based on.

"To this effect, I propose that Quigley's [Waikato University Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley] lack of transparency in the use of reductive data analysis to cut staff from the Waikato Music Department, which will inevitably lead to the closure of this department, needs addressing through a process of financial due diligence by an external reviewer."

She said the fact she was taking up a post-doctorate position at the Music Department at the Memorial University of Newfoundland was testament to Waikato's good reputation.

Former vice-chancellor Brian Gould said it was a tragedy that financial stringency could mean the weakening of one of the university's strongest assets. "And what further tragedy that one of the country's best venues for the performance of music, built with the help of community generosity, might stand increasingly empty and that the music should fall silent."

Waikato-born UK-based solicitor Michael Reason, whose father was a trumpet player and part of the Morrinsville Army band, also urged the university to keep staff numbers at the status quo and to continue to fund and support the department.

Submissions were also received from Scotland, Wellington, Greytown and the Waikato.

Waikato University acting dean of the faculty of arts and social sciences Professor Allison Kirkman said 176 submissions including an online petition with 2800 signatures were received as part of the initial consultation period. The release of additional information prompted a second submission process and those papers were still be collated.

Kirkman said she would consider the latest submissions before deciding whether to release a revised proposal, which would then be put to both the faculty and academic boards and put out for public consultation.