03/06/2012
A message from Rafael Hernandez:
To our family at the Department of Music,
This year, we have experienced a wonderful period of growth and expanded offerings for students within the Department of Music. While other Departments across the system are struggling to offer core courses and electives for their students, we have been able to offer all of our major offerings, a deep chamber music offering pool, multiple sections of Intermediate Piano (a first in many years), double-applied lessons for many students, instrumental and vocal coaching, and new courses such as MUS 3040 Jazz Theory & Composition and MUS 4077 Jazz Arranging for Large Ensemble (Spring quarter). We have been able to do this because, as a Department, we've staunchly advocated for our purpose and mission with our colleagues and administrators around campus, we've become more disciplined with all of our offerings, and we've expanded our enrollments in General Education coursework to help balance the naturally high cost of providing quality education to our students.
Today, I write to you with an appeal. As the next academic year approaches, there are strong indicators that we may have to tighten our belts and bear down for the unexpected. Here, the unexpected is the results of the tax measures on the November ballot. As I'm told, if these measures pass, then we are looking at, more or less, a similar year to this in terms of offerings. If the measures don't pass, then we could be looking at much tougher times ahead.
I write this not to instill fear in you or get you to worry. I like to think that I've got a good handle on the Chair position and I'm a pretty decent strategist. Instead, I write to you with a simple appeal. Please register for your courses early and don't assume that all Music coursework is safe from cancellation. We've coursework in Spring quarter that is under threat of cancellation. Though it is only the 2nd week of registration, the Dean's office is taking a vigorous stance towards low-enrolled classes early as they try to prepare roll-forward funding for next academic year. Many times I've had to stare the Dean's office down in a who-will-blink-first contest about course cancellation. Each time, I've won, they've blinked, and we come out ahead. For this Spring quarter, however, I'm not feeling so sure because of what may loom next academic year.
So, please register for your courses and take advantage of expanded coursework. More specifically, the following courses really need the enrollments now.
MUS 4054 Instrumentation, MWF 8-9:10 (I know it's early - it's good for you!)
MUS 4077 Jazz Arranging for Large Ensemble, MWF 9:20-10:30 (take MUS 4054 and 4077 for the one-two-composition-arranging-knockout!)
MUS 4445 Seminar in Public School Instrumental Teaching Techniques, MW 4-5:15 (Needed for the Single Subject Matter credential)
MUS 3095 Music Technology for Educators, TH 6:30-9:10 (Needed for the Single Subject Matter credential)
Thanks for your time and kill it in the concert hall, East Bay,
hdez
