It's pretty clear to orchestral musicians everywhere, at any level: There just aren't enough playing jobs out there. And to make matters worse, playing jobs that were once secure are now gone, or getting really close to being gone. There was that whole scare with the Milwaukee Symphony last year. I remember there being a news article about it. Thank God that hasn't happened. The Green Bay Symphony has also been totally ended. There are other groups that have reduced pay to their players, or eliminated pay altogether, such as the Everett Symphony. And there are so many articles on the internet and in music magazines and periodicals about the major symphony orchestras struggling financially.
Of course, there are a number of solutions that people present. A popular one is pay the musicians less. Pff...how would you like a decrease in pay? Easy for anyone to say. Another is to stop performing so often. That's the whole purpose of an orchestra! TO PERFORM! I could go on with this...but I won't.
The solution that I have is not one that will save every symphony orchestra out there right this second, but it will raise awareness and respect of the symphony orchestra, which, in turn could save at least one symphony orchestra I hope. I practice this solution in my daily life, every day that I venture out of my house to a music-related event. The symphony orchestra has to speak to young people.
I don't know about the rest of you orchestra musicians out there, but I am getting really tired of hearing people say they hate classical music or the symphony. It breaks my heart, actually. It honestly warms my heart when I hear a non-classical musician say they like classical music. And these people who hate classical music feel that way because they don't quite understand it; thus it is boring for them. I guess I don't blame them for that. Classical music is complex, and for some it does require proper education (which doesn't take very long) to know that there is vast variety in classical music and what it does to the human spirit. It's not just the simple popular genre songs you hear everyday that exist based on compositional methods derived from classical music.
Now, I don't want to put down popular music. I think there is a lot of good popular music out there, and very skilled musicians. But I really think it gets too much attention compared to classical music. I feel like it takes away from the art of music, and instead just tells everyday stories in the forms of words, a beat and repetitive chord progressions.
Classical music is like that, in a way, but in a much more in-depth. Sure, it tells stories, but they're to quite everyday, and when they are, they're about ancient life long before the cell phone, automobile or the computer. Kinda like a movie. But usually classical music tells the story without words, so you have to imagine the story. You actually have to think!
I could go on and on about the greatness of classical music, but everyone who likes it has their own take how great it is. I want people to develop their own ways of enjoying classical music.
That's why, as a brass lesson teacher who deals with many kids who are excited to play music, I want to convey the enjoyment of classical music to them, and they joy of making music in general. I like to show them how their instrument is involved with classical music, and how it shines in the musical texture. I want to give them something to be excited about playing. And most of all, I want them to just enjoy the music and all it has to offer.
That, I believe is the solution to saving the orchestra. With the older generation of audiences and sponsors passing on in life (who grew up with classical & jazz music as their "popular music") and the current generation caught up too much in rock, country, rap and pop, we have to show young people the value and beauty in classical music and show them what it can to for us. It's okay to actually like classical music. It doesn't make you any less of a person. It's even better to like classical music in addition to popular music. Variety is okay in life. It's called living.
And that's why, as a well-trained performer, I'm eager to be a lesson teacher. It's one thing to be a public school music teacher and teach a group of kids about general music (or band or choir). By the way, I think public school teachers are amazing, and am happy they are reaching to kids every school day. But giving kids the 1-on-1 time to personally show them the joys of music and how they can make music themselves is truly amazing. Particularly with beginners. I don't understand why more high-caliber professionals don't want to teach beginners. Well, maybe I do understand. But it's so important to teach lessons to beginners! The earlier you plant the seed, the earlier it can grow, and the bigger it will be in the end.
So in order to save the symphony now we need to appeal to the young generation right now. Because these kids will soon become successful business owners or entrepreneurs with money to spend on the arts...or your average concert-goer. For starters, we just need more young people in our audiences. That's it! I'm getting kinda tired of seeing so much grey hair in the audience when I perform. I mean, I thank them for their time. But, c'mon! We need this generation to follow suit!
And the only way to do that is to show kids the value of the symphony orchestra. It's really not that hard. And it may save the career of classical musicians in the future. Again, we all know there isn't enough work for classically-trained musicians out there. Why not try to fix the problem? I know I am trying.
Get more people to concerts. It starts with young people. Tell people about concerts. Tell them how much fun it is to listen to, and even how much fun you're having playing it!
Take care and value music.