Help save Jazz Music at Goldsmiths
We, the Music students of Goldsmiths University, urge the SMT and Council to reconsider the proposed redundancies of our esteemed music teachers, Paul Bartholomew and Laura Zakian. These dedicated educators are integral for our department, as they have essentially established an entire unlabelled Jazz department within our music course.

Why This Matters:
1. Key Contributions:
    * Paul Bartholomew has effectively created our entire Jazz curriculum, offering modules such as Arranging in Jazz, Techniques in Jazz, Contemporary Jazz in the UK Scene (CJUKS), Jazz Composition Pathway, Jazz Performance Pathway (1st, 2nd & 3rd year), as well as the extra curricular ensembles such as Creative Jazz Ensemble (CJE), and Creative Jazz Workshop (CJW).
    * Laura Zakian provides invaluable 1-on-1 singing lessons, currently teaching around 40 singers across the department. She has tirelessly organised extracurricular activities including Jazz Singing Workshops, Band Leading Sessions, and Performance support for numerous showcases. Laura's high standard teaching skills and real-life music industry experience are vital, as evidenced by the growing number of successful industry professionals who are a direct result of her mentorship.
2. There’s nowhere like Goldsmiths:
    * Paul has created the only viable alternative to Jazz conservatoire education in London, giving students of a less fortunate background the opportunity to pursue Jazz in a progressive, contemporary and critical context unlike any other institution. 
    * Their contacts have brought reputable external musicians to our courses, employed on CJUKS, Jazz composition and CJW, . They have been specifically chosen to address topics such as diversity, race, gender and decolonisation. These staff members would also be removed from the faculty.
3. Impact on Students and Goldsmiths’ Reputation:
    * Without Paul and Laura, the majority of our Jazz modules and ensembles would cease to exist, severely impacting the quality and scope of our music education.
    * Losing these key educators will only continue to damage Goldsmiths’ reputation and demonstrate the real disconnect between the University’s wardens and the needs of students and staff.

Paul and Laura have built this Jazz department without additional funding or support, and their potential loss would be a tremendous blow to our education and the progressive values we uphold at Goldsmiths. This is not what we signed up for. 
Please support our petition to preserve the roles of Paul Bartholomew and Laura Zakian and maintain the integrity of our music program.
Sign this petition to help save the Jazz Program at Goldsmiths.