Robin Cassella

This was a nicely written article but as a member of the choir since 2008 I do believe there was a great injustice in firing Fred Rossomando. I do agree that there is a need for a better music program on this campus, a gripe I have had in my four years here, however, Prof. Sprengelmeyer's reasoning does not make sense to those that know Prof. Rossomando nor does it make sense to eliminate the one and only music program on campus that was thriving (an increase of almost 40 members in 3 years). I am quite sure that if the university wanted the music program (especially the choir) to move toward a more professional and classical song selection most of the members of the choir would have willingly obliged under the direction of Prof. Rossomando. I feel Prof. Sprengelmeyer's reasoning, at least as reported in this article, is weak, vague and a typical public relation move this university seems to resort to too often.

the last time i checked all schools and most work places have all "recreational sites" blocked..u should be learning not sharing music and p2p could be used to cheat and makes you vulnerable to viruses. University computers are for school work not entertainment

Even as he writes that "illegal" dowloads benefit "everybody' the writer admits that "record companies and labels that sell and create the music artists are the ones who make the majority of their money off of album sales" are selling fewer records as a result of illegal downloads. The writer claims they're making it up by getting more money from concerts but it's up to them, not the listener, to determine how they'd like to make their money. The record companies might sell more records AND more concert tickets without the illegal downloads. The writer also ignores the fact that the writer of the song (as opposed to the performer) usually is paid based on royalties from record sales in addition to any performance fees so the writer loses too when there is illegal downloading of copyright material.