Engaging the Community
During the past three or four years, there has been much discussion about the so-called graying of the audiences. This, coupled with the diminished role of music education in our public schools, has led to great concern about the future of classical music.
First of all, I think it needs to be understood that our audiences have always been older. One only has to look at the photographs of concertgoers from a virtual time in the 20th century to see that they are not youngsters at all. But there is one significant difference – those audiences had the benefit of musical knowledge through education in the formative years.
It is easy to understand how one can draw a conclusion regarding a projected lack of attendance in the future. I prefer to think of this particular time as being a transition period. During the NSO Residency projects and in my own personal work in public schools, I have noticed a distinct shift in the cultural makeup of young people involved in those schools that have music programs. Instead of the perceived background being predominately European or Slavic, we see more students from Latino and Asian heritage and, indeed, the countries of origin generally have superior music education programs for young people. Chances are most of them will remain in the states, but not go into music. However, most of them will become regular concertgoers. What we play will not change, but the makeup of the audience that listens will. It remains to be seen whether or not our music education systems will move forward. I would like to think that the demand that comes from parents of the new immigrants will prove instrumental in promoting the value of strengthened music education programs in our public schools.
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