German music academies want junior professorships
The Rectors' Conference of German Universities of Music (RKM) would like to introduce junior professorships and assistantships in the same way as for young academics at universities in order to better retain young talent.
According to the German Cultural Information Center (KIZ), Martin Ullrich, Chairman of the Rectors' Conference of German Music Universities (RKM), said after the three-day conference in Weimar that teachers could only be retained from the freelance sector through teaching assignments. However, the young professionals need secure career prospects.
Moreover, young people in their own country are increasingly at a disadvantage compared to foreign applicants for university positions. According to the KIZ report, there is no shortage of applications, but in many cases they are "unable to compete with the well-educated competition from abroad".
The profession of school musician must also become more attractive again, including with better starting conditions and better pay. It is true that state music colleges are of a high standard. However, music lessons are neglected at the schools before them. The RKM therefore suggests that university lecturers teach highly talented students in music schools.
