sibass89 said:
that there is no music education in many public schools anymore. . . .
I think its ignorance that European history is taught in every public school but Music and Art are left out of Euro. These two components are so important in history, yet they aren't included. So I believe it really boils down to education, not new music.
. . .
I hate talking to my friend, who wants to be an engineer, about roller coasters, because I'm not educated about them and I just don't understand what he is saying. People dislike classical music because they don't know what they are listening to. If we don't create a more educated society or a society more appreciative towards history, the world of the major symphony orchestra is not going to last much longer.
-Nick
Yes, yes, and yes. 100% Right.
As a U.S. public school music teacher myself, I can say that you are now getting to the crux of the matter, Nick. Students (citizens) of our country are not, generally speaking, prepared to appreciate new orchestral music or the accepted classics. They see it as a form which doesn't include them . . . they don't have the background on composers, historical context, or the "meaning" of the music, many of the instruments and playing styles are foreign to them, and they therefore don't have any "natural" appreciation for it.
I wouldn't be too quick to blame this on the school system or on any current educational fads or legislation, but tend to see this as a societal trend. OUtside of a very select few (including many of us, as musicians) our society has very little use for arts in general. People don't have the time, resources, interest, or ATTENTION SPAN (notice caps) to appreciate music in the orchestral tradition, or in the jazz tradition, for that matter.
One reason I see for this is the long-standing attitude (often perceived as an "exclusive" club) of orchestral players, composers, conductors . . . the vast majority of America has no exposure to, or appreciation for orchestral music in part because orchestras have done very little to include the majority of Americans in the tradition. This starts with very basic, individual interactions - who's ever seen or heard a symphony player belittle a potential listener for their lack of exposure and knowledge? WHo's ever themselves belittled someone for not knowing what the heck a string bass is, or confusing it with a cello? How could you possibly expect children to take the time and effort necessary to developing an appreciation for this art form when they have PLENTY of cheap, readily available forms of entertainment, which they and their families already know how to enjoy, and in which they are automatically included.
When my young students hear classical music, after being prepared for it, they are surprised to find that they like some of it. I like to think that I share my enthusiasm. A few may go on in high school to be self-motivated to be involved in orchestral music. A few.
ONe short anecdote, and I'll stop . . . While wrapping up an introduction to keyboarding unit with some 6th graders last week, some students were sharing what they could play (Yeah, lots of "Heart and Soul", songs from "sister act", you get the idea . . .) The kids were nice enough to let me play, so I played a short Bach Minuet (the G minor from the Anna Magdalena book). They're nice kids, so they were appreciative. But the one comment that stuck out in my mind was:
"Oh. That sounds like rich people music."
Please excusde the length of this post. I could go on for days.
