Klarinet Archive - Posting 000753.txt from 1997/11

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: professional wind ensembles
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 17:35:29 -0500

On Thu, 20 Nov 1997, SEAN TALBOT wrote:

> but I also understand as a person of the so called X generation that the
> everyday Joe on the street doesn't appreciate much of the standard
> orchestrial repertoire. So he doesn't exactly rush into the concert
> hall and pay his good money.

In no generation in history has the "everyday Joe on the street" been a
consumer of orchestral music, or any kind of "art music." That has never
happened, and never will happen.

> Messiah is selling out concert halls everywhere right now.

But this has nothing to do with love of music. It says more about
nostalgia, being comfortable with the familiar, the weight of
tradition, etc.

> I am alarmed by the fact though that many students here have never
> heard of Handel's Messiah or any major orchestral work.

I too am concerned about that. Are you perhaps a music education major?
If so, perhaps someday you will have an opportunity to work with your own
students toward correcting that omission in the usual education in music,
or lack of same, that students often receive.

> the huge audiences that Drum Corps attract......

This also has almost nothing to do with music.

> there are less high school orchestras but almost every little school has
> a band......

This is because of the desire of high school administrators and members of
boards of education to have bands to provide entertainment at athletic
events.

Hmmmm. Upon re-reading this message, it would appear that more than a
little cynicism on this topic is cropping up on my part. Well, so be it.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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