VMS and SMPV

The SMPV as a professional association of music teachers, is the association of employees and the self-employed, while the VMS represents the cantonal associations and their music schools, i.e. the employers. Both associations are committed to high quality music education in Switzerland, both know that this quality comes at a cost and are therefore politically committed to providing sufficient financial resources for music education at all levels.
I talk to Philippe Krüttli, President of the VMS, about the relationship between our two associations, how our cooperation has developed and where he still sees room for improvement in this collaboration:

Dear Philippe, congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for taking the time to talk to us during this hectic anniversary period! How do you see the relationship between our two associations?
Philippe Krüttli: We mostly pursue the same goals with regard to good framework conditions for music teaching, which are enshrined in the music school laws, cultural ordinances and their amendments. Both associations are fighting against wage dumping in the field of music education; however, we have to admit that the wage structure still varies greatly from canton to canton. And we are campaigning for better recognition of our profession at all levels of society.
Of course, some of your members also compete with our music schools with their private lessons. However, if these activities are regulated and monitored, this is not all negative. Competition stimulates business.

It's true, our private tuition platform, my-music-lessons.chworks quite well, but it's mainly adults who are looking for lessons there. Apart from in the canton of Schaffhausen, we can't offer subsidized lessons. And I think private lessons are interesting if you want lessons with a specific teacher or if, for example, you don't want to plan your vacation around the school vacations. Private lessons allow more flexibility.
That's exactly what I mean: your offer (as well as the entire social development, by the way) is forcing music schools to rethink their offer and become more flexible. Today, music schools also offer flexible subscriptions, chamber music courses for adults, other forms of ensemble playing and the like. And at least, unlike other platform operators, you have the same quality standards as we do: your teachers are trained as music teachers, and with the SMPV tariffs you are also setting an example against wage dumping.

Where is our collaboration already working well?
For example, we are both founding members of the Pension fund Music and education and we accompany the programs in partnership Youth and music and Young talents in music. For example, we met SMPV member Markus Hochuli on an expert commission commissioned by the federal government to develop assessment criteria for talented students, and I also remember that SMPV Co-President Annette Dannecker was involved in the development of the VMS professional profile "inspire - accompany - empower". We also work closely together when it comes to maintaining the Schweizer Musikzeitung.

In which areas do we have differences of opinion in view of our tasks as an employers' and employees' association?
I don't see any major differences of opinion. You play your trade union role and we make sure that the interests of our music schools and their employees are safeguarded within our contractual limits. I don't think that as President of the SMPV Bern you have often had to intervene in serious conflicts in our music schools, have you?

Just recently, but you're right, there are usually only individual problems from individual members with their music school management, which can usually be easily resolved.
What do you think about the CLA? Negotiating a CLA is a lot of work, but it would create a greater understanding between school management and teaching staff of each other's position and solve problems such as the lack of an ombudsman's office.
This is discussed time and again. The canton of Vaud has negotiated a CLA with the music school teaching staff over the course of two years. But in cantons where the music school laws are well thought out and the staff regulations of the music schools precisely define the rights of their employees, a CLA is not necessarily an option.

I know that the shortage of specialists at music schools is an issue at the VMS, which also worries us. How can we counteract this?
The various surveys we have conducted and the feedback we have received from numerous music schools show a worrying situation, especially for subjects such as piano or guitar. We are in contact with the KMHS to find solutions: Further training as a supplement to basic training, the question of how people without a Master's degree in pedagogy can acquire specific qualifications or working on internship modules that facilitate the transition from studying to working are our next starting points to improve the situation.

Philippe Krüttli, President of the VMS ©️VMS