Musicians Drum It up for Peers Who Can't Get Teaching Jobs
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A10 The Sunday Times | Sunday, October 11, 2020 MARRYING EXPERIENCE AND LEARNING Musicians The course did teach some fundamentals that I was already familiar with, but it was fruitful to go back to drum it up school to learn new things like music production and songwriting... I wanted to marry my experience in for peers industry with new skills in school, and solidify my credentials. Many people can perform but who can’t get we don’t know how good they are theoretically teaching jobs when they teach. Drummer-percussionist Vicknes Vinayak Veerappan, whose career credits include musical Forbidden City: Portrait Of An Empress, pursued a bachelor’s degree in music at Lasalle in 2018 to widen his options. PHOTO: VICKNES VINAYAK VEERAPPAN LOCAL DRUMMER AND PERCUSSIONIST ’’VICKNES VINAYAK VEERAPPAN, who took up a bachelor’s degree in music at Lasalle so he could possibly be a full-time music No formal music degree but expertise gained teacher in a primary or secondary school. as practitioner should count too, they say FOCUS IS ON ACADEMICS Amelia Teng of Singapore’s most accomplished It feels like there’s so much and Jolene Ang percussionists, said he used to be a part-time lecturer at Lasalle Col- we can share, especially lege of the Arts about 15 years ago. having gone through Local musicians have spoken up But he was asked to leave after a certain experiences you strongly for their peers who are change in leadership a few years unable to secure teaching positions later, and was told he needed at can’t gain from academic in institutions in Singapore despite least a diploma in music, which he studies... but most their talent – because they do not did not have. institutions, even private hold degrees. “When I was younger, I did want While some said there is value in to further my studies in music but music schools, require teaching credentials, others noted couldn’t afford it... so I pursued my some qualifications... that the skills and expertise gained passion in the industry,” said the I could go and get as a practitioner should be equally veteran, who has toured worldwide recognised. with Hong Kong Heavenly King a diploma now in two years, The discussion was sparked by a Jacky Cheung and done recordings but it doesn’t make sense Facebook post on Oct 3 by home- with Taiwanese stars A-Mei and at my age. I’ve learnt to grown jazz stalwart Jeremy Mon- Wang Leehom. teiro, 60, who raised the subject. “It feels like there’s so much we accept that times have His post was shared nearly 800 can share, especially having gone changed and it’s more times and garnered more than through certain experiences you about academics now. 1,300 reactions. can’t gain from academic studies... He cited a case of a Singaporean but most institutions, even private violinist who has played in the first music schools, require some qualifi- chair in a prestigious US symphony cations.” orchestra for years and lectured in He added: “I could go and get a Jazz icon Jeremy Monteiro says local institutions should Percussionist Mohamed Noor used to teach at Lasalle MUSICIAN MOHAMED NOOR, one of top US institutions, but is unable to diploma now in two years but it recognise the benefits that practitioners can bring to College of the Arts but was later asked to leave as he ’’Singapore’s most accomplished land a job as a professor in a local mu- doesn’t make sense at my age. I’ve music education. PHOTO: JEREMY MONTEIRO did not have at least a diploma in music. ST FILE PHOTO percussionists. sic institution of higher learning. learnt to accept that times have Mr Monteiro, whose professional changed and it’s more about aca- music career started in 1976, was demics now.” took up a bachelor’s degree in mu- ing a role in selection processes. selection. “Industry experience can tise or relevant working experience conferred Singapore’s highest arts Mr Monteiro said he is not against sic at Lasalle in 2018 so he could pos- A spokesman for the National Uni- also be considered as an equivalent will be taken into account. prize, the Cultural Medallion, in academic qualifications, which can sibly be a full-time music teacher in versity of Singapore (NUS) said fac- to the minimum educational qualifi- He noted that the college does 2002. He has also been a visiting be useful in the teaching of the arts. a primary or secondary school. ulty members at its Yong Siew Toh cations for teaching diploma and de- hire non-degree holders with “sub- professor at Lasalle College of the “Someone who’s formally trained “The course did teach some funda- Conservatory of Music are “appro- gree courses,” it said. stantive expertise” to teach specific Arts and University of West Lon- may likely be better in articulating mentals that I was already familiar priately qualified”. NUS “places a Nafa, which offers courses in ar- modules and classes such as vocal don’s London College Of Music, music theory than someone who with, but it was fruitful to go back to high value on... professional artistic eas like music as well as art and de- technique or instrument. since 2006 and 2016 respectively. learnt all this through the school of school to learn new things like mu- capacity, research capacities and sign, added that it employs 96 full- Lasalle graduate Eshan Denipi- When contacted, he said he felt hard knocks or trial and error.” sic production and songwriting,” output, as well as teaching qualifica- time and adjunct academic staff tiya, who did a Bachelor of Arts in that it would be a waste if local musi- But local institutions, he added, said the musician who has per- tions and experience”. who do not hold degrees, of whom music, said he had mentors who did cians, who have years of experience should also recognise the benefits formed in musicals such as Forbid- For music, like other fields taught 16 teach at its school of music. not have formal qualifications. One in the industry but no academic that practitioners can bring to mu- den City: Portrait Of An Empress at the tertiary level, a degree is Lasalle said it “requires (music) of them is his father Mahesh, who is qualifications, are not allowed to for- sic education, and be more proac- and Dim Sum Dollies. “widely recognised as the mini- educators to have qualifications a director and composer in their mally teach part-time or full-time. tive in reaching out to them. “There “I wanted to marry my experi- mum qualification for a university higher than the course or module or home country Sri Lanka. “I believe our Government has should not be any distinction be- ence in industry with new skills in teaching appointment, with most subject they teach” as the curricu- Mr Denipitiya, 25, who works in been thinking about this, in line tween the practice, or vocational, school, and solidify my credentials. appointable faculty in the contem- lum has a strong balance of theory, music school Aureus Academy, with previous speeches about offer- and academia tracks of learning.” Many people can perform but we porary world now requiring post- practice and contextual studies. said: “His unique years of experi- ing people without degrees job op- It would be fair that musicians don’t know how good they are theo- graduate qualifications”, added the Dr Venka Purushothaman, the col- ence and ability to impart knowl- portunities on the same level as who want to teach get some teacher retically when they teach.” spokesman. lege’s provost, said there are rigor- edge to others is far more valuable graduates,” he said, referring to pre- training, to know if they are suitable, Local institutions said they value Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts ous merit-based hiring standards, than any paper qualification.” vious remarks by Prime Minister he said. academic credentials. However, (Nafa) said both proven track but if the best candidate does not Lee Hsien Loong. Local drummer and percussionist some are less strict on such criteria, records of teaching and industry ex- meet the qualification requirement, [email protected] Musician Mohamed Noor, 53, one Vicknes Vinayak Veerappan, 46, with industry experience also play- perience are important criteria for factors such as professional exper- [email protected].