An interesting read. I, for one, think that orchestras need to make adjustments in their scheduling to appeal to a wide diversity of individuals. Much to my chagrin, I probably wouldn't attend some of these pop events but if an orchestra's survival depends on reaching out behind its traditional and core programming model, so be it.

Forrester "Mac" McNeil

It's a sad realization to dummy down programs for the sake of attracting a younger audience raised on Eminem and P. Diddy.

Perhaps parents should expose their children to all forms of music. I know that when I was growing up, it was a family event going to see an orchestra or going to see Billy Joel. We did it all together. If the kids see that the parents are involved and going along with them, perhaps they will take a greater interest and appreciate all forms of music, not just one.

I dunno but it seems like you either love orchestra music or don't. no middle ground. if you don't grow up with it, chances are you won't. but, i agree, that it all starts with the parents. if they take their kids to wrestling matches, nascar and on hunting trips, then I don't think these kids will ever develop any kind of musical literacy.

imagine, a hunter bringing his buddies to his hunting cabin and he puts on Beethoven symphony?

<i>imagine, a hunter bringing his buddies to his hunting cabin and he puts on Beethoven symphony? </i>

You'd be surprised, actually...

Here in England, when they go on hunts they usually play Handel or any other English composer.

Cheryl

well, I just read the article on the myauditions homepage on rearranging classical music to be more appealing. Is that what it's going to take to appeal to a larger audience? maybe we need to start looking out of the box. after all, our music is several hundred years old. i can imagine in the days of Mozart and Bach, how the young people were entertained at parties with their music. it's all just a paradigm shift or sorts.

Barry Turner

I don't know if they have sold their souls but the Minnesota orchestra has just come out with their conductor, Vanska and bobblehead doll. The concerts sold out to get one.

Blair - Tuba

Arrangement and re-inventing of the classics is not necessarily a bad thing. Average American Audiences have become more sophisticated and demand more varied performances and inovative programs. Consider some (relatively) recent performances that have met with tremendous success: Riverdance(Michael Flatley and company), The Blue Man Group, Stomp!

While audiences have delighted at a lot of fresh ideas they are not as awed by a performance of Beethoven's 5th as they once might have been.

Combining artistic genre's and different variations of performace art seem to be surplanting good old fashioned music. I don't mean to suggest we STOP playing the classical literature, but rather pick it apart and use it much as Warner Brothers did in the Looney Tunes. Take an old, well known piece and give it a fresh feel; a new significance. Ask almost anyone to hum a few bars from The Barber of Seville and you'll get a blank look. Ask the same person to hum some music from when elmer fud was chasing Bugs Bunny and you'll wind up with anything from the afore mentioned Barber of Seville to Elmer Fud's rendition of "Flight of the Valkyries"...or..."Kill the Wabbit" as the case may be.

Playing straight classical literature may no longer be satisfactory to maintain an organization's patron base as the attention span of the American Audience shortens and the hunger for something new grows.

Obviously there needs to be a balance and the purists and well as the modernists have yet to strike the right chord that brings in new fans.

Larry Morrison