A local music teacher is asking the Armidale Eisteddfod Society to slightly relax the new blanket ban on recording at Eisteddfods in the area.
In a June 9 petition on Change.Org, Armidale based music teacher Sofia Debus says that while she is very grateful for all the hard work the Society undertakes, she hopes they will revisit the decision to allow some recording for review and learning purposes.
“Placing a blanket ban on videoing disallows one of the most important and valuable aspects of performance practice, which is the review together in lesson afterwards,” she said in the petition.
“By banning videoing, the Armidale Eisteddfod Society is significantly diminishing the educational value of Eisteddfod performances for HSC students, for AMEB/Trinity exam students and any student wishing to take all measures available to improve their performance.”
At the same time, Sofia says she absolutely agrees with the decision to ban most video recording because there should be “no compromises where Child Safety, Protection and Privacy is concerned.”
“The video measures introduced this year seem to be a natural, understandable reaction to the daunting issues of child protection, and legal compliance,” she said.
“I think we are all in universal agreement about this, but there must be ways that children can remain fully protected, and the Armidale Eisteddfod Society fully legally compliant, and at the same time be able to retain the full educational advantages of being able to video music performances.”
Slight adjustment to rules could be the answer
According to Sofia, a possible solution could be to retain the ban on recording but provide an exemption for teachers who have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) number registered with the Armidale Eisteddfod Society.
WWCC registered teachers would film from a designated area in the auditorium that doesn’t interfere with the audience or performance.
She says it’s already compulsory for all teachers currently employed at a school or educators at the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) Educator to have a WWCC check anyway.
To protect the Armidale Eisteddfod Society against potential misuse of any videos taken by WWCC-registered teachers, Sophia says “a lawyer could help formulate a simple clause in the Rules about The Eisteddfod Society not accepting any responsibility for further sharing of videos taken by WWCC-registered teachers.”
“I believe it is possible to navigate these issues together with a careful, nuanced conversation,” she said.
“I am hoping you will consider and adopt the suggestions above, that will safeguard not only for Child Protection, and protect the Armidale Eisteddfod Society, but also protect the educational opportunities of the Eisteddfod that parents invest so heavily in, and that teachers and volunteers work so hard to create,” Sophia added.
As of writing, the petition on Change.Org has attracted 146 signatures.
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