Hi,I am Devang Metha.
I am a Goa based classical Guitar Performer.
My blog is my bridge to other musicians and people.
The topics I would ideally cover would be the music scene in Goa,my own thoughts on music,etc.
One topic I would cover for some time would be the status of my application at Kala Academy Goa,where I have applied for the post of western music director.
I have a BM degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and more info on me can be found on my webpage-devangmetha.com
I look forward to any feedback-whether in support of my thoughts or otherwise.
In case you disagree,please do so in an agreeable manner.
Thank you-Devang.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
I)Deja Vu-Job Application at Kala Academy,Goa.
Four years ago when I took the Air India flight out of Bombay,I did so with a sense of immense hope.I had been accepted at the San Francisco Conservatory's Guitar Program under Dusan Bogdanovic.This among other schools such as the Manhattan school in NY,the New England Conservatory,the Peabody in Baltimore and the Eastman in Rochester.While the US music degree requires 128 credits over four years(among other requirements),I did a lot more.Especially the theory component-which included counterpoint,harmony,conducting,jazz,recording,history,literature,musicianship,composition,etc.
These studies,which were in excess of graduation requirements,were done with an aim to some day run my own music department.So when I made an application for the post of Director of the Western music department of the Kala Academy-Goa,this was something I counted on to help my cause.Surprisingly,at least I thought so at that time,my application was rejected;no reason was given.
When I did come down to Goa in January of this year,I visited Kala Academy;and I slowly had a creeping sense of deja vu.In 2006,before I left for my degree,I had made an application for the post of Guitar Lecturar at Kala Academy.There were three applicants-and only my resume had a LTCL which was the requirement.And I had to my credit numerous solo recitals of which three had been given at the Black Box under the Swanangan scheme.Surprisingly the interview was conducted by a single "expert";in contrast to 1996 when I was interviewed by five good musicians.The job of course went to a candidate who happened to be a student and now a business associate of the "expert".The candidate then had a Grade eight and had also flunked an Associate level British Board exam.Though to be fair,he is a decent musician,but outside the realm of the classical guitar.The interview proces, I thought, was not clean enough on the part of the Kala Academy administration.This was compounded by the comments of the then vice chairman who told me that it was a job for teaching beginners and children and wished me best of luck in my career abroad.In today's world most musicians have to teach;some with more choices than others.He seemed to have no idea of my art.
As I gathered more information on my present application,I realised that the advisory Board was made up of socialites and "experts" who have probably never performed in Goa(solo recitals).The 2006 "expert" was very much around.I knew this person from my days as a co-ordinator of the guitar Guild;even then he had a penchant for claiming numerous qualifications which his playing ability just did not back.
So I decided to file an RTI with an aim to gather information on the entire application process.While yesterday,the 6th of may,I received most information,I have yet to get specific information as to the musical abilities of the advisory board or why my application was rejected.And the PIO has yet to find my application packet.Hopefully he should be able to trace it in a few days.
The decision making process of the Kala Academy administration seems to be opaque.And they are compounding it by not being transparent enough.It seems that politicians and businessmen are all too well entrenched as cultural czars in our educational institutions.And they need "experts" who go along with what they wish.Consequently anyone who is willing to do so is designated as an "expert" by the Kala Academy Administration.
This above is my first blog on my efforts to make sure that my application is taken seriously by Goa Kala Academy.I have only given a gist of the events and my relation with the colourful cast of characters.I will update my readers on every major twist and turn of this seemingly lonely road.
Thank you-Devang.
These studies,which were in excess of graduation requirements,were done with an aim to some day run my own music department.So when I made an application for the post of Director of the Western music department of the Kala Academy-Goa,this was something I counted on to help my cause.Surprisingly,at least I thought so at that time,my application was rejected;no reason was given.
When I did come down to Goa in January of this year,I visited Kala Academy;and I slowly had a creeping sense of deja vu.In 2006,before I left for my degree,I had made an application for the post of Guitar Lecturar at Kala Academy.There were three applicants-and only my resume had a LTCL which was the requirement.And I had to my credit numerous solo recitals of which three had been given at the Black Box under the Swanangan scheme.Surprisingly the interview was conducted by a single "expert";in contrast to 1996 when I was interviewed by five good musicians.The job of course went to a candidate who happened to be a student and now a business associate of the "expert".The candidate then had a Grade eight and had also flunked an Associate level British Board exam.Though to be fair,he is a decent musician,but outside the realm of the classical guitar.The interview proces, I thought, was not clean enough on the part of the Kala Academy administration.This was compounded by the comments of the then vice chairman who told me that it was a job for teaching beginners and children and wished me best of luck in my career abroad.In today's world most musicians have to teach;some with more choices than others.He seemed to have no idea of my art.
As I gathered more information on my present application,I realised that the advisory Board was made up of socialites and "experts" who have probably never performed in Goa(solo recitals).The 2006 "expert" was very much around.I knew this person from my days as a co-ordinator of the guitar Guild;even then he had a penchant for claiming numerous qualifications which his playing ability just did not back.
So I decided to file an RTI with an aim to gather information on the entire application process.While yesterday,the 6th of may,I received most information,I have yet to get specific information as to the musical abilities of the advisory board or why my application was rejected.And the PIO has yet to find my application packet.Hopefully he should be able to trace it in a few days.
The decision making process of the Kala Academy administration seems to be opaque.And they are compounding it by not being transparent enough.It seems that politicians and businessmen are all too well entrenched as cultural czars in our educational institutions.And they need "experts" who go along with what they wish.Consequently anyone who is willing to do so is designated as an "expert" by the Kala Academy Administration.
This above is my first blog on my efforts to make sure that my application is taken seriously by Goa Kala Academy.I have only given a gist of the events and my relation with the colourful cast of characters.I will update my readers on every major twist and turn of this seemingly lonely road.
Thank you-Devang.
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