Music - Music school law poses challenges for institutions
Two years ago, the Music and Youth Art Schools Law kept Thuringian municipal music schools afloat, according to Romy Kopmann, managing director of the Thuringian Music Schools Association. Currently, there are many challenges for the music schools, Kopmann stated. The implementation of the 2022 law is the greatest of these challenges.
In general, it's positive that the state now reliably contributes to the funding of the schools. Additionally, the law serves as an argument in the demand for regular employment relationships for music teachers. Having qualified personnel in secure employment situations is in the interest of the Music Schools Association - and this was also the intention in the municipalities, Kopmann added. The law offers a stable financial supplement for music schools under the condition that certain quality criteria are met.
Regulations bring challenges
The implementation is problematic in some places according to Kopmann: First and foremost, the additional costs are a significant burden for the individual municipalities. School closures due to increased costs are not foreseeable yet. There are also problems with the qualification process regarding the recognition of foreign diplomas. Furthermore, there are cases where professional musicians did not actually intend to pursue a permanent secondary job and were satisfied with the honorarium solution.
From the association's perspective, a little more flexibility in implementation is desirable, Kopmann stated. A central role also plays the so-called Herrenberg Judgment of the Federal Social Court on the securing obligation for honorary employees. From this individual decision, potential liability risks for honorary employees and high financial demands from social insurance institutions for the beneficiaries can result.
Requirements for the number of permanently employed teachers
With the Music and Youth Art Schools Law, it is intended to convert as many of the previously widespread honorary contracts into regular employment relationships, explained Maria-Theresia Meißner from the Thuringian State Chancellery. To receive funding, schools must be recognized by the state.
To achieve this, at least half of the music teachers must be employed indefinitely and subject to social insurance. For a three-year transition period, this prescribed percentage of permanently employed teachers was reduced to 25%. Additionally, the suitable qualification of the teaching staff must be proven.
Many schools meet the requirements
Principally, the schools are already on a good path, according to Kopmann: The reduced requirements for the percentage of permanently employed teachers to 25% would apply to all communal music schools. Approximately half of the schools already meet the 50% quota.
Regarding recognition, progress is being made. Currently, the experiences and problems of the music schools are being collected, and concrete statements can be made at best in the fall, according to a spokesperson from the Music School Jena. The uncertain overall situation has led to uncertainty among honorary teachers there.
Besides this issue, it is becoming increasingly difficult on the countryside to find suitable personnel for music schools, it was stated. Community orchestras have a noticeable positive effect on the offer, as unusual instruments can then also be taught. For example, at the Music School Altenburger Land, accordion-, organ- and harpsichord lessons are offered. In Jena, harp and gamba lessons can currently be learned.
In general, the demand is stable, according to Kopmann. Lessons for guitar and piano are still the most popular. The past years have shown that presence teaching cannot be replaced by online courses. However, digital media such as practice apps or score sheets accessible via tablets are a good supplement.
According to the association, there are currently 25 communal music schools in Thuringia, where over 26,000 students were enrolled at the beginning of the year. A total of 4.35 million Euro were allocated in the state budget for the music schools.
- Due to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus, many music schools in Thuringia, including the Music School in Weimar and Music School Erfurt, have had to adapt their Music lessons to online formats.
- As part of the Music and Youth Art Schools Law, the Music school in Erfurt is now offering a Recovery course for students who desire to improve their Music skills after the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
- The implementation of the 2022 law in Music schools across Thuringia, such as the Music school in Altenburger Land, has led to an increase in the number of Permanently employed teachers, as required by the law.
- The Music school in Thuringia, like the Music school in Schleiz, is planning to reopen its doors for traditional Music school classes once the current health restrictions related to the Coronavirus are lifted.
