Student drops out over Cleveland sacking
NewsFirst repercussions are coming through over the dismissal of viola professor Mark Jackobs by the floundering Cleveland Institute of Music.
The email pictured below is from student Govanny Garfield Brown (pictured). He writes: ‘I no longer have faith in the words of this institution. I do not plan on attending CIM in the Fall as I fear my education is at risk.’
Other students, present and past, are expressing solidarity on his site.
“Student drops out of college.” Surely there is more important stuff going on in the music world.
Hey Paul! Or Susan?
If you don’t think news of students and teachers jumping ship from one of the prominent US conservatories is worth our time on … checks notes … a classical music news site…. then I don’t know what to tell you.
To a student who has committed to attend an elite conservatory for the purposes of studying with a particular master teacher, there is very little that such a student can consider “more important stuff going on” – perhaps you’re part of the administration? Your comment displays just the lack of concern and compassion for how such hiring and firing decisions, as well as the overall health of the school’s culture, affects students at a critical juncture in their musical journey and career development. It’s not just “student drops out of college” – it’s “student drops out of college that has lured him and others in a desperate bait and switch” and that’s a whole different story. You should be ashamed of yourself for your callous comment!
Nothing more important to a musician attending what was once considered one of the best conservatories in the nation.
Do you actually have anything to add to the conversation?
That’s an eloquent and very sad message from Garfield Govanny Brown. As a baby boomer, I already feel much sympathy for young people starting their careers in a world which is way more challenging than that which I experienced in the 70s. For CIM to behave in a way which severely exacerbates those challenges is disgraceful.
Try to continue studying privately with your current teacher. There is no need to belong to any institution in order to become a great player. Save all that money that you would have paid, partly for things you don’t even need such as administrative fees and the like. It sounds like you already have a special kinship with your teacher — which is actually quite rare these days — so preserving that relationship should be your top priority. If you are planning to take orchestral auditions (as I suspect you are), the only thing that matters is the level of your playing. Having already been at CIM should be more than sufficient for your resume to get through. For orchestra auditions, where you studied and whether you actually have a degree has close to zero impact. The only thing that matters is the level of your playing and this should be your only focus. If you are planning to teach, then it’s a different story, but you could still get a DMA somewhere and still continue studying privately with your current teacher. It may feel like a major change to no longer belong to an institution and be surrounded by peers, but the reality of the profession is this: to get an orchestral position, you need to become a top player that stands out from the crowd. The rest literally does not matter. And the younger you are, the easier it is. Good luck.
As a current student and friend of Govanny, I’d like to say that he is an amazingly talented violist, and he is TRANSFERRING to another institution, not dropping out. I couldn’t imagine losing my teacher mid-semester without warning.
This is an entirely reasonable and expected action on his part. Music students largely choose to attend a school based on the private teacher with whom they are going to study. If they are no longer going to be able to study with that person it’s expected that they are going to look elsewhere. The fact that this action happened in the middle of the term is regretable.
It’s an ok letter but he should’ve had a friend proofread it first. A couple of blips and bloops in there.
It’s more eloquent, and more thoughtful, than most students could produce. The “blips and bloops” don’t matter a bit; what matters is the substance of the message, and the message is that this administration doesn’t give a damn about its students. That is far more an egregious error than a few “blips and bloops” in a letter, and it is an error that is intentional (which takes it to a level deeper than mere human error).
This is an ok comment but you should’ve had a friend proofread it first. On second thought, first find a friend. Complete sentences need a subject and a verb. Next time write: “THERE WERE a couple of blips and bloops in there.” Of course, that is a separate matter from the lack of interesting content.
“Next time write: “THERE WERE a couple of blips and bloops in there.”
Oh dear Larry. Maybe you should get someone to proofread your comments. A colon should never follow a verb.
Thanks, dear Terry. You are obviously an expert at examining the colon and related parts.
Dear Couperin: Maybe someone should have proofread your comment to ensure your sentence was complete.
Mr Brown’s characterization of his teacher, Paul Jakobs as “firm and emboldening” was startlingly clear and eloquent, and you kvetch over typos or whatev that, honestly, I did not even notice. How petty of you. I am sorry you found his cri de coeur, Monsieur Couperin, merely “ok.” Quel f’n domage .
Why was he fired?
So far your reports suggest that both he and the institution are keeping quiet about the reason. Perhaps there is a reason for that.
NDA?
You run the place, you tell us.
I don’t believe that the professor was fired for no reason—that wouldn’t make sense. I think the professor and the school came to a mutual agreement not to reveal the reason for the dismissal to other faculty members or students, perhaps avoiding a personal and institutional scandal. The student’s public airing of his grievances doesn’t seem like a smart move; he sounds like he’s ungrateful, not a team player.
NS:
Of COURSE he’s not grateful.
He just got shafted, and so did his professor. He’s got every reason to feel aggrieved.
Not a “team player”??? What a load of crap you’re dishing out.
WHY on earth would he just keep his mouth shut and make no waves?
Is it because he’s a student and not yet a practicing professional, and should therefore keep his mouth shut?
Is it because he’s black and he should, therefore, remember his “place” and keep his mouth shut?
Is it because you’re the administration, and you’re trying to stop the hemorrhaging you’ve brought upon yourselves?
What asinine “logic”!!!
Hey Susan! Your constant barrage of different pseudonyms insinuating a scandal are as transparent as they are lame. Toodles!
College Dropout… what a phrase! I highly doubt this student is “dropping out,” more likely to transfer! Why exploit him in this way? As a journalist you should know better. Are there issues at CIM, probably so, but please protect the students reputation when they’re helping you get your story. Hopefully you’ll approve this comment since my first one didn’t hasn’t been posted.
– Still a Disgusted Reader
Violists are critically important to running a successful orchestral program, both at the collegiate and professional levels.
One student, three students, no big deal. When there is a mad dash for the exits, an impression will be made. A handful of students (or less) can be absorbed and replaced. This departure will alter nothing although we can all understand his doing so at this time.
To a mouse, his cheese is the most important thing in the world.
What the almighty [____] does that even mean???
Concerned Parent – can the faculty and students file a class action lawsuit against Hogle and Rothman demanding their immediate dismissal and reconciliation with Sachs & Jakobs?
I hope a parent-lawyer out there can help us all – it is time for action before all is lost and we have to find other schools for our students!