… but the San Jose Symphony (RIP) won’t be silenced. Not if other orchestras are dying, anyway. The Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra folded, and there is an article in response to what he says is an orchestra member’s blaming the board. (It does say she was also on the board, but my guess would be that she was a musician-member of the board. This is required in some contracts.) The response is written by a board member, so he’s going to disagree with the orchestra member who faults the board. (Can’t we all get along? I kind of doubt it.)
Ending his writing, he says:
If classical music organizations are to survive, they need to come to grips with how to engage younger, larger audiences; implement more efficient business operations by reducing expenses and raising more money; partner with similar arts groups; increase their educational outreach programs; and present more relevant concerts that engage the wider public in classical music.
(Actually, the musician also suggests getting new audiences, so she isn’t entirely BoardBashing™, or doesn’t seem to be to me. She says “new” not “young”, though.)
But here we go again! It seems to be the same old, same old, doesn’t it? We need a younger audience. We need to “present more relevant concerts”. Sigh.
Will someone tell me what a “relevant concert” is? Let’s see. In this day and age, maybe we are supposed to hand out free video games or (sorry to be so crass) condoms? Or maybe we have to invite pop stars to write symphonies because they are so much more relevant than a classical composer? I dunno. “Relevant” is a word that churches and orchestras toss around all the time, but I sure am tired of it.
As to a “younger audience” … well … I am guessing I’m in the minority here, but here’s what I think: Younger people often don’t have the time (they are in school, they are bar hopping, they are young marrieds and they have young children, or they are just too busy with their jobs) to go to classical concerts, and they are also less inclined to be interested in giving money to anyone yet. That takes time. And age. And while we might lose our older audience as they do eventually die (sorry to bring that up), younger people … drum roll please … eventually become older people. Really. It happens. Many then find they have the time, money and desire to hear and support classical music. It’s kind of like lollipops & mushrooms I guess. Children love a good lollipop. That sticky, sweet thing is great fun, but kids usually wrinkle their noses at mushrooms. I just figure you have to give ‘em time and most will come around to the mushrooms and dump the sticky, non-fulfilling sugar.
Not to say we don’t get anyone younger at our concerts these days, because I do see them. (I wish I’d see my oboe students at concerts, but that’s rare. I find this puzzling, especially for the music major students who never listen to anyone but themselves.) I saw a good number of what looked to be college age audience members at Lucia. Heck, I even saw children, although I did wonder if that opera was the best thing for them; maybe they left before the final act?
But, ramble ramble, the San Jose Symphony was mentioned in the article because of a book that was written about our demise and some believe it contains all the answers. I would love to see a musician write a book about the demise. I think we could enlighten readers a bit about some things.
Then again, some things are better left unsaid and unwritten, yes? And nothing that is said or written will bring back the orchestra that was my “main gig” for 27 years.
Okay … so ramble over and out. And I might be all wrong. It can happen.
