MRU cuts to Conservatory anger donor
Renowned music program reeling after longtime teachers terminated
A generous, longtime donor to Mount Royal University is raging over recent staff cuts to the Conservatory performance programs, vowing to never again give another “red cent” to the school.
Kim Bruce, a former pianist and longtime local arts volunteer and advocate, has written a scathing letter to MRU’s president and board of governors outlining her disappointment in the “dismantling” of leadership within the advanced performance program and how it will impact the quality of performing arts at the newlybuilt Bella Concert Hall.
“It is with profound anger and disappointment I write you as a generous donor and vocal advocate of Bella Concert Hall to assure you I will never donate another red cent to Mount Royal University,” said Bruce, now aged 75, after a lifetime of contributions to the local arts.
“While you collectively enjoyed the success and progress of hard earned donations that helped build the spectacular Bella Concert Hall, behind the appreciative, gracious veneer, you supported the systematic dismantling of management underpinning Mount Royal Conservatory and, inevitably, Bella Concert Hall.”
Thousands of students, musicians, parents and donors signed petitions in early September this fall, outraged over Mount Royal University’s decision to cancel the contracts of two internationally acclaimed music instructors, calling it a serious blow to the highly respected program that draws students from across the globe.
MRU administrators eliminated the position of its celebrated cello instructor John Kadz, after confirming his teaching contract would not be renewed.
The administrative contract for Bill van der Sloot was also not renewed.
Bruce goes on to attack administration’s decision, made in the first few weeks of classes when most students were already registered and expecting to study under the now-gone teachers.
“How deceiving and misleading of you, but more so, how shockingly short-sighted and misguided is your collective strategic vision?”
Students continue to argue Kadz’s teaching skills and van der Sloot’s administrative talents were a critical component to building the conservatory’s muchlauded music programs.
“Senior administration continues with this new vision that is not focused on building professional musicians,” said Stephania Romaniuk a performance vocalist and longtime student of the Conservatory.
“It is immeasurable what John and Bill gave to this program. And anyone of quality understands the Conservatory’s reputation has been dealt a serious blow.
“We will no longer have serious instructors or students sticking around. We have already seen some students drop out.”
Charles Webber, dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education which oversees the Conservatory, has said the staff restructuring was a way to keep costs down
We will no longer have serious instructors or students sticking around. We have already seen some students drop out.
while keeping the program “fresh and fluid.”
While Webber was not made available to the Herald for comment Wednesday, MRU provided a prepared statement via email.
“We always appreciate hearing from our community: our donors, students, alumni and everyone who has experienced first-hand our incredible performances,” Webber said.
“The Conservatory is strong. While past administrative decisions may be concerning for some, change is an important part of growth. Our Conservatory registrations are greater than ever before, and we have a bright future. The remarkable expertise of our instructors will bring music and speech arts education to even more students in our community.”
MRU’s Bella Concert Hall, in which many of MRU’s musicians and vocalists perform, is a $92 million project that was built last fall, in part through government funding but also from private donors.