That's right, riots in the streets. For what reason, you may ask?The law that gives the NYC Mayor control over the NYC public schools is set to expire this spring unless renewed by the State Legislature. While mayoral control of schools is nothing new, it is rare for there to be such a system of governance without a functioning school board, which for all practical purposes does not exist in New York City.The Mayor and Schools Chancellor believe that having a real school board, among other checks and balances, would cause a cataclysm, … [Read more...]

According to Norma Munn, head of the New York City Arts Coalition, this past Tuesday, Governor David Paterson's mid-year cut to the New York State Council on the Arts was approved.I blogged twice about this over the past few months, in case you want to take a look in the archives. Nevertheless, what we have here is a $7 million mid-year cut, on top of an already implemented 10% cut, totaling a 20% cut for this year alone. The critical blow, a hallmark of bad government, is that because of the timing of the mid-year cut, it will only effect … [Read more...]

Click here to take a look at what Senator Tom Coburn is up to.Coburn's fifth amendment to the Stimulus Bill isn't exactly an ad hominen objection to the arts in the bill, more precisely it reads: "5. No funds shall be used for casinos, aquariums, zoos, museums, golf courses, or swimming pools (mirror House language)."Click here to see what the Performing Arts Alliance is already doing to try and counter this amendment. … [Read more...]

This past Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama was introduced to the staff of the United States Department of Education, by Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.Click here for the transcript and videoThe highlights of her presentation are as follows:"So, the Department of Education is going to be at the forefront of many of the things that we have to do in this administration, and we're going to need that energy in these times of economic challenge. We're going to be making investments. And I shouldn't say "we," but the administration "we." With … [Read more...]

A giant of classical music died this week: Lukas Foss. Was he as well known as Leonard Bernstein or Aaron Copland? No, I am sorry to say. There's something about the way classical music is changing, where it seems that only the most marquee names are remembered. That's a shame. Foss was a powerhouse of a talent: conductor, composer, pianist. The glory days of the Milwaukee Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Brooklyn Philharmonic, were all tied to Foss's tenure, one that highlighted new music. He had a reputation for sight reading the most … [Read more...]

The Perpich Center for Arts Education's State Arts High Schools,has, for quite some time now, been a very important model for arts centered high schools, while also serving as one of the nation's most important centers for K-12 arts education.Governor Tim Pawlenty has submitted a budget which cuts away $2.2 million of a overall budget of $7 million, while eliminating "outreach" efforts and converting the high school to a charter school.This would be a loss for the entire field of arts education.Read the Statement by The Perpich Center on the … [Read more...]

The Nexus between Jazz and Classical Music brings me to the great, great, great, Benny Golson!!!, who was just honored by the Kennedy Center. Benny has a new CD on the Concord label, New Time, New 'Tet, where the "album's song choices advance a subtle but genuinely seductive proposal: what if jazz, conventionally defined, is overdue for re-inspection and revision? What if "jazz" and "classical" music are closer in spirit and artistic execution than standard views of their difference comprehend?"It's a lovely recording that answers his … [Read more...]