Until your last line, you were right on the mark. Nobody in power can make people want to appreciate art, no matter how much money they feed into whatever art form they think is important (and there are plenty besides classical music that are also wanting for support and just as worthy). And the sort of general earned wealth that is the target of those you do not support is more likely to help orchestras than support from government programs. If you want to argue this point, I'll see you over in Politics, heh, heh.wnazzaro wrote:The current crop of 70-somethings will be replaced by those who are 60-something now. If the hall was full, the orchestra will be okay. If they can't draw enough of a crowd, then maybe they have a problem. Certainly we can't assume the health of the classical music industry, but just because the audience was older doesn't mean when they go, the audience goes. If I had the time and money, I would go to orchestra concerts too. Maybe when I'm 70 I won't have to work so much.
But I absolutely agree that we should not worry about older crowds. Classical music as performed these days is not the sort of music that appeals to younger folks, and the cost of most professional orchestra concerts (and the etiquette demanded of those who attend) is not consistent with many who are raising families. But as people get older, their tastes change and the resources increase, making orchestras both more desireable and also more affordable.
I'll bet that symphony patrons of 50 years ago were either 1.) trying to impress other socialites of their social credentials and sophistication, or 2.) were in their 60's and 70's. We've seen losses in the first crowd, but they were always the ones who left at intermission anyway. In contrast, more older people are more well-to-do now than in the past, and classical music can now be enjoyed by those in the middle class rather than by socialites. I think audiences now are broader than they were. That doesn't mean orchestras aren't in pain because of the loss of big contributions from the social elite, of course, but that's another story.
Most of the better movies these days have good orchestral music in their scores, and that brings me a lot of hope. The reason film makers use this music is because of its broad tonal palette and ability to support a variety of story elements. Thus, the sound of symphony orchestras (even when they are faked, as with a lot of television) is still very much a part of the common experience.
Now, I think one thing orchestras cold lose is that rigid etiquette structure that makes one's first concert attendance have a high probability of humiliation (i.e., being the only one to clap between movements, or being glared at for not wearing the proper attire, etc.).
Rick "usually agreeing with Bill when the subject isn't politics" Denney
) Several of the students asked me at the end where they could get the cd.