Greg Swan, a former downtown resident and a onetime music blogger, had a bit to say on Twitter about the just-announced closing of McNally Smith College of Music in downtown St. Paul.
Swan, who has more recently made a name for himself in advertising and public relations, cultivated a relationship with the music college in recent years and therefore is feeling profoundly saddened by its demise.
Swan has praise for all the students and staff he has come to know, but is critical of management for an “irresponsible, incomprehensible administrative fiasco.”
My heart goes out to the students and staff at @mcnallysmith, which announced it can’t make payroll tomorrow and is closing next week. It’s truly a shock to be managed so poorly that it’s come to this.
— Greg Swan (@gregswan) December 15, 2017
The school has been part of my life for more than a decade. When I lived in downtown St. Paul my entire group of friends went to Music Tech. Later @kareemy invited me to speak to his and @brucescook’s music business class about my music blog and PR.
— Greg Swan (@gregswan) December 15, 2017
That kicked off an invitation from the extremely talented @brucescook to speak to @msbus129 every single semester for at least 7-8 years now. That’s like 14+ times I’ve spoken to that class of amazing and talented students.
— Greg Swan (@gregswan) December 15, 2017
I’ve gotten to know quite a few of those students outside of class and stayed in touch with many of them as they’ve launched their careers — both in the music industry and beyond. This is just brutal.
— Greg Swan (@gregswan) December 15, 2017
In recent years I’ve also had the opportunity to interface with @ScottLeGere, who is another gem of a teacher. These guys aren’t rolling in the cash in this profession. They are scrapping it together for the benefit of their students and the music. They deserve to be paid.
— Greg Swan (@gregswan) December 15, 2017
If you know of ways we can help stranded students and staff find a soft landing from this irresponsible, incomprehensible administrative fiasco please share. Let’s get creative to help this next gen of music stars out in a really shitty situation that’s none of their making.
— Greg Swan (@gregswan) December 15, 2017
