When I first entered the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music building (just across the road from Vic), I was fairly surprised by the interior. This faculty is one of the highest-ranking post-secondary institutions for studying music in the country, yet the inside was outdated and lacklustre. Most people know that the arts, in general, often receive little funding, and the Faculty of Music is no exception.
Last month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gordon Foote, the faculty’s Professor of Jazz Studies. Regarding the program funding, he said, “What the faculty really needs is a major donor to help us out. The unfortunate reality is that while our alumni include some of the most talented musicians I’ve ever known, there just isn’t as much money in the fine arts as there is in fields such as math and science.” He continued, “Our administrative team is incredible. They’re excellent advocates for the staff and students and they work so hard. But our budgeting isn’t great. Our facilities are outdated, and music is generally quite expensive to offer and maintain at any university.” The lack of funding, then, results in the faculty’s lack of exposure. While on some level most of us know that a music program exists here at UofT, the majority of us know nothing about it.
Professor Foote is extremely devoted to promoting the jazz scene and music studies in general. As one of his teaching duties, he also directs the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra. He claimed that although exposure for the Faculty of Music has gotten better over the years, there is still a long way to go until it receives the recognition it deserves.
A huge issue is that so many of us are unaware of the incredible opportunities offered at the Faculty of Music. In fact, Professor Foote outlined several ways that non-music students are able to get involved with the faculty. “It would be great if more students came out to the concerts. But more importantly, it would be great if we had more students coming out to auditions. You don’t have to be a part of the Faculty of Music to play in one of our ensembles. In fact, students invited to join an ensemble can actually earn a credit toward their degree. So many students come to university having loved music in high school, and would perhaps like to continue studying it. I really wish more students knew that they didn’t have to give up playing when it could serve as a complement to their studies.”
Professor Foote said that his favourite part of working at the Faculty of Music is the energy of the students. “Our students pursue music because they have to—it’s their calling. They enter their programs knowing that there’s a good chance they won’t become famous, but they don’t care about the glory or the paycheque. They’re here to study music because of its artistic value, and that’s a level of dedication and passion you just don’t get to experience anywhere else.”
After learning about the Faculty of Music from the perspective of one of its most dedicated professors, I became very interested in learning more about student life at the faculty. Fortunately, Victoria College and the Faculty of Music have a very intimate relationship due to their close proximity. Moreover, many music students actually live in residence here at Vic because of the lack of housing opportunities through their own faculty.
I had the chance to speak with two extremely passionate and talented students at the Faculty of Music. Here’s a little more about them: Zack Goldstein is a highly ambitious and enthusiastic first-year clarinet major in a comprehensive program, with hopes of transferring into clarinet performance next year. Mackenzie Clark is a third-year vocal student in the CTEP music education program, and is also one of Victoria’s most spirited and fun-loving dons.
The Strand: Why did you decide to enrol in the Faculty of Music?
Zack Goldstein: Heading into Grade 12, I knew that I wanted to pursue music. It’s been my passion from a very young age, and I can’t imagine my life going anywhere else. I chose UofT because of its strong reputation as the best music program in the country. I knew that if I was going to pursue a career in music, attending the best school was what I needed to thrive and make my dream a reality.
Mackenzie Clark: Multiple reasons! The faculty is internationally renowned as an impressive and established musical institution. As someone who wants to be a music educator, what really appealed to me was the quality of teaching and the high expectations that professors put on their students, in all areas of study. The faculty expects its music education majors to be polished performers, and not just musicians who can teach. The members of the education faculty are incredibly talented musicians who constantly remind us how important it is for teachers to be proficient in their instruments.
What is the most rewarding part of being in UofT Music?
MC: Definitely the amount of experience we get in our field. We work very hard as musicians, and so the opportunity to share our gifts with our community, city, and professors is really fulfilling. The faculty works really hard to give us both professional and casual performance opportunities, so we can see improvements and the impact of our work. In the same sense, the education students get tons of opportunities to go out into schools in the city and work with children. Our experience is almost entirely hands-on, and to be out in the world performing and educating is such a rewarding experience.
If you could let fellow students know one thing about the Faculty of Music, what would it be?
ZG: The one thing I would want to tell other students is that studying music isn’t easy. It’s not calculus or physics, but that doesn’t mean music doesn’t take as much hard work. I’ve never worked harder in my life than I have since I’ve been here, and I think it’s really important for people to open their minds about the reputation of studying fine arts in order to break this stigma. Music […and] other fine arts are just as useful and important to our society as math, science, literature, and so on. They are simply undervalued as a practice.
In your opinion, what sets Music apart from the other faculties at UofT?
MC: It’s definitely the size of the faculty that makes it stand out in the greater university. We often have faculty-wide events, like pub nights, where we bond as a faculty. Every instrument group (vocalists, percussionists, pianists, etc.) welcomes incoming classes every year and students get a chance to make friends across programs and years. Further, we work one-on-one every week, with our private teachers, for all four years of our degree, which makes instruction feel very personal. It is not often that you find people who don’t feel like a number here at UofT, but I think that all music majors would agree that they [have a] place in our community.
Zack and Mackenzie demonstrate the passion and dedication that is needed to pursue the rigorous and competitive world of classical and jazz music. The Faculty of Music is just one of many faculties at UofT that strengthens and diversifies our academic institution. The lack of investment and awareness of the program is discouraging, as there is an abundance of talent and creativity that needs to be fostered. Too often, the arts take the back seat when it comes to university considerations, yet it is the arts which enhance and enrich our community. Professor Foote and many others urge you to become acquainted with the Faculty of Music and take advantage of the resources it offers.
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