After having been personally involved with PAM in the past, I have to say that I find it heartbreaking that such a wonderful cause has been buried beneath egotistical blame games. At its roots, PAM is a institution that enriches the musical lives of a multitude of students from across Lancaster county and south central PA.
What PAM needs to survive is stop focusing on the grandiosity of its faculty and aspirations and start showing the people something they can connect with: Lancaster county youth showing tremendous musical talent. Take the pride back, PAM. If Veri and Jamanis are truly out of the picture, this should be simple.
You can’t walk before you crawl, an adage that might have served the founders well. Begin crawling by showcasing the true reason you still exist: your students.
Viewing from the inside out, prioritizing the focus on the students is already happening. Students were always the focus, but buildings and parties and egos did get in the way.
Now that none of the distractions exist (presumably), the focus can be more consistent. Let’s be clear, there is NO OTHER institution in the mid-state that can produce and deliver PAM’s level of musical talent.
What is needed is a board that understands both the business and musical priorities. In the past, music (and musical egos) overshadowed practical needs. TODAY, we need to be sure business doesn’t overshadow the musical mission. We also need to be sure the China connection is not severed, but alas, that may not be be possible, and PAM might already be dead as a consequence.
If the board has any savvy or guts, it will need to recognize that what made PAM vibrant and unique was the connection to so many wonderful Chinese musicians that have graced PAM with their talents and good cheer. And, the opportunities for PAM students and faculty to travel to China and explore the riches of culture and history has no peer with any other musical institution.
Yes PAM, find your identity, cling to your mission, keep things simple, teach with vigor, play with honor, and grow like gangbusters!