Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2019-07-19 21:58
For me, David S and Ed P have nailed the important aspects.
I'll try to piggy-back on their comments - adding some thoughts/observations for fodder.
It seems that in the not-so-distant past (1900s-1940s) the "average" US citizen understood music in a more fundamental way than we do now. It was common for children (and adults) to be in choir (whether school, church, community, clubs, etc.) Prior to television, there weren't a lot of "technical" options for indoor entertainment. Board games, conversation, reading books, performing music, etc. Technology brought about gramophones and radios...which (in the gramophone's case) still fostered this world of music. People still seemed to be connected with music, understanding harmony and being able to pick instrument/sounds from the orchestra. People seemed able to discern a "good" band/orchestra/choir from a bad one.
Now (as evidenced on the streets and Bourbon Street clubs of New Orleans), the general populace seems unable to discern the good from the bad. A screeching clarinet holding a high note for 20 seconds is applauded more loudly than a skilled clarinetist who offers amazing skill a deliberately beautiful, skillful, emotional solo - based on a full understanding of music.
Likewise, our technological entertainment options are now virtually limitless.
My personal take is that the park gazebos used to be filled with music/bands/singers. The streets/corners of large cities were filled with buskers. The grange halls (rural western halls where local communities met to address local issues) held weekly or bi-monthly dances. Through these "free" venues or "pay-what-you-can" venues, children were frequently exposed to live music of varying style and offered by a range of skill. Even if a person/child wasn't at a location to specifically listen to music...music was there.
We seem to have (mostly) locked live music away from children's social lives. They can find such things online, but not in a live, social setting where they interact with others enjoying the same thing. They are more likely to find a local downtown fest where rock or country is played. We hold fests (and charge tons of money to try to cover the costs), we hold concerts (and charge to help cover costs). There's no lack of places for those with a nurtured interest to go hear the music...but then we scratch our heads as these options start disappearing. We've locked away the music for only those who are willing to pay (kids aren't), and then wonder why no new listeners are coming along.
For many years, I've thought the best way forward is to find a way to plant the seed in the free/public spaces where children can learn to fall in love with music. I understand the difficulties of doing this.
For me - I fell in love with music because (when I was a small child) the high school marching band used to march in front of our house during it's daily rehearsals. I'd run out into our yard and watch/listen in amazement as they marched by.
Likewise, countless are the stories where a New Orleans youngster listened to street players, or listened from outside the club's doors. The exposure was usually plentiful and usually free.
Where is that opportunity for kids today?
Fuzzy
|
|