Klarinet Archive - Posting 000861.txt from 2001/09

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Musicians in trouble
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 18:04:33 -0400

Karl says:

<<Serious arts in general are seen as elitist and the distinction between "popular" and "cultured" art has for a long time been a barrier serious performers (in dance and theater as well as music) have tried with no consistent success to breach.>>

Karl,

I hear you, and I agree to a certain degree. However, there is nothing written anywhere that says the average citizen must support the arts. For many, many people, it's simply not on their radar screen. They don't care, and us whining about it won't change a thing.

Here's a challenge, though. How many times do we prepare and perform a concert FOR OURSELVES, and expect an audience to just show up and be entertained?

I have been to any number of concerts at say, Ravinia, where I was bored and displeased with the performance. THe orchestras PLOD on to stage, play, then plod offstage. The conductor MIGHT acknowledge the audience. There is often NO communication going on. Audiences applaud politely, yawn, and go home. Maybe one out of 20 concerts is truly interesting, exciting, or informative.

Maybe, just maybe, the arts need to look at themselves and see what they can do to involve their audiences.

Walter

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