Last notes on music studies (2)

Hats off to Maria Conrad for her concise reply to Dion Buhagiar.

I have been following this debate with a mixture of irritation and amusement. Dr Buhagiar should respect the fact that people are free to choose whichever institution they desire. I will not go into the merits of either the University of Malta degree or foreign exam boards.

Suffice it to say that the University of Malta degree does not give performativity. Indeed, how many university music graduates are full-time musicians? How many members of the National Orchestra, Malta's only professional full-time orchestra, are music degree holders? You will find few, if any. At the end of the day, a music career is not based merely on qualifications, but on one's ability as a musician.

That ability may fluctuate over time and for various reasons.

Degrees and diplomas are just means of self-assessment for what is fundamentally an on-going process of development. That development is achieved through learning and experience, and not by unfounded criticism and assumptions.