Just in: yet another US orchestra is locked out

Is it not true that what we consider ? music as art ? today was in it?s day, ? music as entertainment ?? The decision as to what is entertainment and what is art seems to lie along the line of what folks are willing to spend their dwindling ? desposable income ? on. As to whether ? the state ? should become the benefactor in support of ? art music ?, isn?t it worth noting that much of the ? art music ? of today was originally underwritten by ? the state ?, or at least members of ? the elite ruling class ??

Two things have happened, in my opinion. Music appreciation courses have been eliminated from school curricula; and managerial salaries have become abusive. As for ? music appreciation ?, I suppose it could be argued that if it is necessary to teach one how/why to appreciate ? art ? then the art has lost its relevancy. But without community outreach ( youth concerts, etc ) where will the next paying audiences come from . . . . and not just paying concert-goers, but citizens within the business community who feel that they should contribute through endowing/underwrtitng their orchestras?

Maybe it?s necessary to pay management salaries which are competitive with other management salaries within the community in order to obtain and retain the kind of talent necessary to perpetuate fiscally sound programs and practices which assure longer-term stability than the lesser-paid managerial staff who see in many cases a launching pad for a greater career? I can sympathize with musicians who, being asked to take pay and benefit concessions, don?t see a similar sacrifice being made on the management end of the stick. Surely this conflict could be handled better in many cases without the musicians yielding to the pressure from unions and guilds to strike? . . . . but then without the conflicts, there wouldn?t be any need for unions, eh?

In order for orchestras to survive, there will necessarily be fewer of them, perhaps becomming regional organizations instead of city-specific. I don?t think private underwriting will be enough for survival, with more dependency on state support ultimately being required. I think there is plenty of room for fresh, creative presentation as opposed to the 100 penguins sitting stiffly on a stage. My instincts tell me that there may be a whole new, visually stimulating video/multi-media universe of performance presentation out there which would excite audiences and encourage new, integrated compositions.

We gotta think out of the box with respect to musician/management relations, AND repertoire/venue presentations!

Source: http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2012/10/yet-another-us-orchestra-is-locked-out.html

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