The death of "classical music"

In a parallel universe where I am Education Director for the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, I write the program notes -- in such a way, I hope that people actually read them! Here's the opening from this next concert. It does actually have something to say about the tensions we feel in church music (old music vs. new). I'll open up more on that later. For now, in this moment, I'm all about Mendelssohn, Mozart and Beethoven. Enjoy.

Is “classical music” dying? We hear such things often. “No one listens to it anymore! There’s no future for the professional orchestra!” I don’t happen to be among those who think so. But if so, I’m not going to blame “popular” music. That pop music is everywhere is not the problem. Just the opposite. We’ve segmented “classical” music from the rest of music (whether Broadway, film scores, jazz, and even popular styles). We think of it as “great music from dead guys long ago.” You know, it’s music for folks in tuxedoes, the stuff people would like “if they had any culture.” In other days, however, such distinctions weren’t possible. The musician lived in the total world. He had to embrace it all. Mozart, Verdi, and Gershwin – all were comfortable in the concert hall and the dance floor.

We need to change how we think about it all. “Classical” music is not a separate musical style – even if my iPod says so. “Classical” music crosses many centuries of differing musical styles. What makes any music “classical” is that it possesses the “x factor,” something that makes it endure past its time. Something in it still resonates with us in the 21st century. Tonight’s music, for instance – the Mendelssohn, Mozart and Beethoven – has much to say to us that’s fresh. We can’t come to it, though, as if we’re visiting a musical museum. We need to hear it alive for us.

What can we do? We must change. First, go listen to (all kinds of) live music whenever you can. Make the time to attend concerts and recitals. Sit as close to the stage as you can afford. Never let an electronic experience be a substitute. Second, if you can, start making music (again). Join a church or community group, start guitar lessons, dig your old clarinet out of the attic. Become part of the answer. Finally, listen to new music (again, of all kinds) whenever possible. Keep growing. Hit the “shuffle” setting on your iPod. Enjoy the result!