keydatafrommurphysurvey

Question 1:
On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate the current status of KU's orchestra
program?
Average Rating:
4.88
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
● Total Respondents: 40
● Average Rating: 4.88
● “5” on source survey was described as “Acceptable”
● The collected data indicates a general perceived rating of below average.
“We really need a professor conducting us, not a GTA. [Our
conductor] is doing fine, but he deserves more, and we do too.”

Question 2:
Do you feel satisfied with all aspects of the orchestra department this
semester (Fall 2016)? Please elaborate.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
● Of the 6 positive respondents, only 2
gave reasonings, being a positive review
of the GTA Conductor replacing the regular
faculty.
● A total of 6 negative respondents also
gave a positive review of the current
conductor, though expressed an overall
desire for a higher-qualified interim
director.
● 2 negative respondents were categorized
as such as they expressed they were
“mostly satisfied,” but were put within
the negative category as the question
required fulfillment of “all aspects.”
“Repertoire is never really chosen based on the players’ current
capacity. People struggle tremendously trying to fake in
rehearsals, which is extremely discouraging. Also a more
competent figure is need to be directing the orchestra. Raffaele is
great, but he is still a student. I end up not learning anything in
rehearsals. It is extremely frustrating, since I want to become an
orchestra player in the future.”

Question 3:
Would you like to see changes in KU's orchestra for the upcoming spring
2017 semester and/or following years? If so, what changes would you like to
see implemented?
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
● The information collected was gathered through
free-response, no multiple choice was given.
● The data above is record of total mentions given
in a free-response question, therefore some
students listed more than one of the above
“desired changes.”
● Problems expressed but not mentioned:
Non-major support, paid librarians, inconsistent
sheet music editions, low expectations of players,
time management, non-functioning stands, lack of
outreach.
CHANGES DESIRED: IN DEPTH
● Conductor: These responses described the
absence of an interim conductor as one of the
largest issues within the Orchestra Department.
● Organization: These responses included lack of communication between sections, low-level efficiency of rehearsals,
inconsistency in plan vs. procedure, and poor time management.
● Repertoire: The main complaints of repertoire were centered around the pieces being too difficult, non-inclusive to all
members of the orchestra, or not considered as “standard repertoire.”
● Motivation/Morale: These complaints consisted of the lack of practice, no focus in rehearsals, and individuals
experiencing an overall sense of apathy and defeat across sections, but primarily within the string sections.
“More reasonable repertoire choice. A competent
professor to be in charge of the orchestra again. It's
unacceptable that such an important and frequent class
feels like wast(e) of time.”

Question 4:
On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate the current status of KU's Strings
Department?
Average Rating:
5.54
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
● Total Respondents: 35 (5 skipped this question)
● “5” on the source survey is described as “Acceptable”
● The data collected indicates an average rating of slightly above acceptable.
“...The string faculty are extremely supportive
and hard working and create a great
environment to be in”

Question 5:
Do you feel satisfied with all aspects of the Strings Department this semester
(Fall 2016), yes or no? Please elaborate on your answer.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
● All respondents that
answered “yes” to this question gave
either no reason (3), or only
mentioned qualified faculty as a
positive (9).
● 3 individuals in the
“unsure/non-major” category were
not a part of the Strings
Department.
● 1 positive response was
determined as such, as their only
complaint was related to the
orchestra department.
“With the exception of orchestra, I'm very pleased with the
strings department here. All of the professors I have worked with
have been fantastic, and I am very pleased with the sequence of
courses so far.”

Question 6:
Would you like to see changes in the KU Strings Department? What changes
would you like to implement?
KEY OBSERVATIONS
● This question yielded the widest set of
opinions/priorities.
● There was a tie in the top response between
recruitment, communication, and having no
problems at all.
● Scholarships and Recruitment are relatable,
but for the sake of accurate representation,
have been separated.
● Other responses not included:
performance-relevant coursework(1), more
accompanists (1), more
guests/masterclasses(1), granted faculty
status to adjuncts (1).
CHANGES DESIRED: IN DEPTH:
● Communication: Responses expressing a problem with communication generally included student-student,
faculty-student, and studio-studio communication.
● Scholarships: Funding concerns were expressed from both graduate and undergraduate students.
● Chamber Music: Issues with chamber music centered around lack of competent players.
● Recruitment: Recruitment was expressed as a necessity, not only due to lack of number of players, but a skill-level
deficit that inconvenienced many students.
“I think the strings department is in a great position to become
bigger and better. I want to see it grow and improve. I am
worried that prospective students will hear our mediocre
orchestra and reconsider applying. I think there really needs to
be more focus on recruitment in the string education side of
things as well.”

Question 7:
On a scale of 0-10, how safe do you feel in Murphy Hall?
Average Rating:
7.97
KEY OBSERVATIONS
● None of those surveyed indicated a ranking below “4.”
● Only one respondent supplied a below-acceptable rating.
● 40%, over one-third of respondents scored Murphy Hall safety a “9.”
“Currently, I feel safe within Murphy. My only
concerns are for the future, under conceal and
carry”

Question 8:
Do you feel satisfied with the amount being done to ensure the safety of
students inside Murphy Hall? Please elaborate on your answer.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
● Three of those that expressed concerns made mention of the Conceal and Carry policy being
implemented.
● Mentions of the current state of the practice rooms/quality of School of Music amenities
influenced whether or not a student felt safe within the school
“Crime/violence prevention: yes. However, many of the practice
rooms in murphy (especially 5th floor) have a musty/moldy
smell, and are generally in not so great condition.”

Question 9:
Are there any changes that you would like to see in Murphy Hall's security for
the upcoming Spring 2017 semester and/or following years? If so what
changes would you like to see implemented?
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
● This is a synthesis of
free-response questions, no
multiple choice answers were
given.
● This data calculates total
mentions, some supplied
multiple answers.
● This only includes the top four
responses, others include:
cameras (1), better lighting (1),
hedge removal (1), patrol (1),
repairing 1st floor handicapped
door(1), staff respect (1), faculty
involvement (1), practice room
renovation (1), minority
accommodations (1)
● A total of 22 responses were
collected, over one-third expressed no concern.
● When a concern was expressed, the main concern was about conceal and carry.
“KU School of Music should push to oppose the
new policy.”

Additional Information Indicating Department Quality
Undergraduate Honor Recital Spot Winners since Fall Semester 2014
(by department)
Fall
2014
Spring
2015
Fall
2015
Spring 2016 Fall
2016
Piano 3 4 2 2 3
Woodwind 1 2 2 2 3
Brass 2 2 0 2 1
Percussion 0 0 0 1 0
Strings 1 0 1 0 1
Vocal 1 1 2 2 1
*information found in News Archive at: http://music.ku.edu

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