oboeinsight

Teachers say pupils are conducting themselves much better since their school started piping classical music into the toilets.

Pupils are treated to French, German or African music while they use the loos at Sweyne Park School, Rayleigh, Essex.

Steven Smith, learning environment leader, said: “The behaviour in the toilets has generally not been brilliant over the years. Now, we don’t have reports about issues there and there is no graffiti.”

I read it here, I’m sorry to say. ;-)

“Western musicians visited China to find more young audiences at concert halls than in their countries, or they know some talented Chinese soloists, so they conclude classical music is popular in China. But it’s not true.”

Speaking from his experience as music director of three leading Chinese orchestras – China Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra – the 45-year-old argues classical music lacks a broad Chinese fan base.

“The fact that millions of kids learn piano or violin does not mean millions of people can really appreciate Mozart or Beethoven. Many students apply to the conservatory for reasons other than because they are interested in music,” he says.

“Parents send kids to study these instruments for various reasons, and music appreciation is a small part of it. The biggest reason is that the students who demonstrate musical gifts are more competitive in school, and some can get additional points on the national college entrance exam.”

RTWT

During his fifteen years in the elite Army Ranger Regiment, Royce perfected this task through endless repetition, and his body swept the door gracefully in calm, fluid precision as delicate and accurate as the San Francisco symphony conducting Beethoven’s Fifth.