sarahk
08-05-2005, 05:55 PM
from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?ObjectID=10339378 06.08.05
By Chris Barton
Not every music student can make it into the top 10 of NZ Idol.
For those who do, one would expect the achievement to be a cause for celebration. Not at Auckland University, which appears to be distancing itself from student Keshia Paulse's success.
Eric Hollis, head of the Auckland Music School (http://www.mus.auckland.ac.nz/), is understood to have said he despises Idol and does not want the music school to have any association with the show.
That comment was in response to a similar view from the dean of the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI), Sharman Pretty.
The comments were accidentally included in an email sent by the university's PR agency, Baldwin Boyle. Some who received the email believed Baldwin Boyle was being asked to help distance the university from Idol.
"It's very elitist," a source who did not want to be named told the Herald.
"It's saying our market is only the classical establishment - so the home-grown talent who want to do popular music are being put in a third-class category."
Paulse is understood to be majoring in Popular Music for a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree.
The Herald asked for comment from Professor Hollis, the head of the popular music programme, Stephen Small, and from Baldwin Boyle's Greg Shand.
Only Mr Shand spoke to the paper, insisting that what he said was off the record. Which makes it difficult to explain the university's position, and to know whether it wants to trumpet Paulse's success.
The Herald can say the email outlining the professors' concerns caused considerable disquiet at the school and some form of misunderstanding may have occurred. Baldwin Boyle is understood to be working on a press release about Paulse's achievement on Idol, which apparently has to be handled sensitively given opinions about the show.
Another source told the Herald the situation was symptomatic of much wider problems within NICAI and a move to axe popular music from the music school's curriculum.
"It all stems from the medieval way this faculty is being run, which is through favour rather than through any sort of merit."
By Chris Barton
Not every music student can make it into the top 10 of NZ Idol.
For those who do, one would expect the achievement to be a cause for celebration. Not at Auckland University, which appears to be distancing itself from student Keshia Paulse's success.
Eric Hollis, head of the Auckland Music School (http://www.mus.auckland.ac.nz/), is understood to have said he despises Idol and does not want the music school to have any association with the show.
That comment was in response to a similar view from the dean of the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI), Sharman Pretty.
The comments were accidentally included in an email sent by the university's PR agency, Baldwin Boyle. Some who received the email believed Baldwin Boyle was being asked to help distance the university from Idol.
"It's very elitist," a source who did not want to be named told the Herald.
"It's saying our market is only the classical establishment - so the home-grown talent who want to do popular music are being put in a third-class category."
Paulse is understood to be majoring in Popular Music for a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree.
The Herald asked for comment from Professor Hollis, the head of the popular music programme, Stephen Small, and from Baldwin Boyle's Greg Shand.
Only Mr Shand spoke to the paper, insisting that what he said was off the record. Which makes it difficult to explain the university's position, and to know whether it wants to trumpet Paulse's success.
The Herald can say the email outlining the professors' concerns caused considerable disquiet at the school and some form of misunderstanding may have occurred. Baldwin Boyle is understood to be working on a press release about Paulse's achievement on Idol, which apparently has to be handled sensitively given opinions about the show.
Another source told the Herald the situation was symptomatic of much wider problems within NICAI and a move to axe popular music from the music school's curriculum.
"It all stems from the medieval way this faculty is being run, which is through favour rather than through any sort of merit."