A commentary by a Nanaimo resident and student at Vancouver Island University.
I am a student in the music department at Vancouver Island University and have been part of this program off and on since 2004. I have observed a high degree of excellence and dedication to their craft among students in the program.
After class time, you will always see students practising/rehearsing, even on weekends.
There are many benefits to a music education. Music has the power to alter one’s mood, change perceptions, and to inspire change, as well as reducing stress and anxiety.
Whether as a hobby or a serious pursuit, music enriches lives and opens doors to lifelong learning and creativity. The work ethic and dedication required to achieve excellence in music carries over to other areas of one’s life, an effect that continues over a lifetime.
Music majors tend to become more confident because they have a lot of experience performing in front of others. The confidence gained from completing undergraduate studies in music will translate to other areas of life.
Making music with someone is a bonding experience that can lead to lifelong collaborations and strong friendships.
A music degree will make for a better, more marketable musician and can lead to future employment in the music industry; with a wide array of career paths and employment opportunities such as in music performance, music education, music therapy, music production and sound technician, film scoring, choral director, music agent, accompanist, talent scout, vocal coach, music journalist, composer, conductor, music software programing, and music instrument repair.
All of these career paths have the potential for lifelong careers and opportunities for making a good living.
The Vancouver Island University music program is well-known and highly regarded provincially and across the country for its high degree of excellence and highly trained instructors.
Respectfully, I am not sure that those in positions of authority who are planning to make cuts to the music program are aware of the huge impact over several generations that the music program has had and continues to have in the local community and the greater community at large.
Well-known musicians who have graduated from the university’s jazz program include Anita Bonkowski, Pat Collins, Bill Costin, Ingrid Jensen, Carmella Luvisotto, Walter Martella, Kirsten Nash and Pat Steward.
Other local working musicians who are or have been part of the music program in various capacities include Phil Dwyer, Ken Lister, Michael Patrick, Tina Jones, Billy Hicks. The list goes on and on.
Since the pandemic, VIU has had a substantial loss of international students. As far as I am aware, there has never been a large number of international students in the music program; they have been mostly present in other programs.
To cut the music program to mitigate these revenue losses does not seem fair or reasonable.
The loss of the entire music program while there are expensive and major ongoing projects under construction is distressing and seems to me a further sign that the music program is disrespected and under-valued compared to other programs.
Building 320, when constructed, was specifically designed for the music program. The building offers a recording studio and individual practice rooms for students, as well as a large choral room for performances, along with classrooms and offices, and is eminently suited for this purpose.
The required equipment such as pianos are already in place, so there is no need for purchasing further equipment, although some may require maintenance or repair.
The fact that music enrolment was discontinued since 2020 has led to a very small student base in the program. Yes, enrolment has been down across the entire university, but if enrolment had continued as usual, the music program would likely still be able to sustain itself.
Curtailing enrolment has devastated the program, which appears to be intentional. This can be reversed with the launch of the new planned diploma program in the fall, along with suitable promotion and notification across the country.
It is still a great option for students who want an affordable and accessible music program, from which they can either launch their career in the music field, or go on to higher music education elsewhere.
As professional musician and former VIU music student, Nico Rhodes, said in a recent interview: This is “a dream crusher without a doubt.”
He went on to say, “that program changed my life, it changed the lives of countless musicians I know who have made a living for decades across the country, internationally.”
Shasha Koerbler, the music department chair, said that “the proposed cuts will impact generations of talent.”
I am distressed by the possibility of the end of the music program. If it ends, I will be heartbroken. I have spent many happy and productive hours in the music building.
It has also changed my life, giving me the confidence to pursue my interests in various areas of music. I believe that the loss to the community will be immeasurable.
I firmly believe that Nanaimo will not be the same without the VIU music program.
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