Skip to main content

A Musical Mystery: Who Murdered Classical Music in America?

Who killed classical music? A quick study of the possible causes for the current classical music crisis and a list of possible suspects. Was it Colonel Mustard with the Cello in the Concert Hall?

Music Labels and Corporations
Over the past several decades, major music labels and publishers have cornered the radio and record markets, forcing music listeners to a very, very small chunk of easily marketable musical slush like Disney pop idols, semi-talented "classical" musicians, and musicians that are more interested in making a buck than making a difference.




By cornering plush spots for their artists on television spots, commercials, films, clothing lines, radio, and product placement, they have convinced millions of Americans that the only good music is what is on the radio, and unfortunately, classical music is meant to be heard live. In fact, in most cities, if there is a classical music station, it is often relegated to the local public radio station which caters to the older, wealthier echelons of society, and not the masses. Downside? Traditional classical music listeners are dying out while new listeners have been deafened by the noise of pop icons.

Music Education
Public music education? What is that? If a student attends one of the thousands of poor public schools in America, music education is nonexistent. If a student does have the opportunity to study music in public school, music education is usually taught once a week (or month) and the teacher may or may not have music experience.



More and more often, the music/art teacher often doubles as a reading coach, teacher's aide, math tutor, and/or computer technician. In other words, music educators have not been given the time they need with the students to provide a solid music education which covers more than basic theory. Try to make Shakespeare interesting if you only have time to teach sentence construction, or try to intrigue a student into the wonders of calculus if you are only given one day a month to present basic arithmetic principles like addition. How can a music teacher present the
musical wonders of Mahler or the delicacies of Chopin if he or she only has time to teach students how to clap in time?


Politicians
Throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Latin America, the arts (music, theater, art, etc.) are considered national treasures on par with national parks, monuments, literature, and historical riches. In America, support for the arts has been grouped together with radical political thinking, socialism, and anti-American ideology. While other countries export symphonies and operas, America exports burgers and fries.


The United States has a rich cultural musical tradition, stemming from America's unique past of cultural clashing and unity which includes gems like jazz, blues, and classical music traditions stemming from our Native American, Latin American, African, and European roots. American music cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.

Parents
Whether because of economics, educational background, apathy, or time constraints, American parents do not have the means, time, or wherewithal to encourage classical music education from the home unless they themselves are avid classical music listeners or musicians.


Classical music in America still follows the apprenticeship system, where talent is passed down one generation to the other. Unfortunately, when economics prevent a child from learning violin because he or she cannot afford an instrument or lessons or because the local school has eliminated the music program or because a child is raised by the television, an entire generation loses out. Parents in those situations can resort to special grant programs, classical recordings, and community music programs to fill in the gap, whether they themselves have musical training or not.

Economics
American economics has in the past century placed arts education at the bottom of

necessities. This is reflected in the low number of musical grants, jobs, and opportunities afforded talented musicians within American society as a whole, as well as by America's overall obsession with the dollar and corporate interests at the cost to everything else, including family, health, education, environment, safety, and the arts. In the United States, many professional musicians resort to teaching, not because of lack of talent, but because teaching somewhat pays the bills. Imagine the cultural Renaissance if American society nurtured classical music, instead of relegating it to weddings and the occasional Christmas concert?

Musicians
Finally, did musicians murder classical music in America? Did musicians commit cultural suicide by overpricing themselves in a changing market that long ago stopped valuing musicians for what they are truly worth? Yes, musicians need to pay the bills (I know, I am one of them). However, when orchestras, opera companies, universities, public schools, and musicians keep themselves stagnant in the rushing tide of change, only the innovative will be able to survive. It is musical evolution.


Does that mean that contemporary classical musicians need to perform for free? No, since that only hurts everyone overall. However, it does mean that contemporary classical musicians need to reach out to younger audiences (tomorrow's listeners and patrons) and re-instill the values of classical music through affordable concerts and education.

Musicians can become active online and in performance, creating worthwhile musical performances which counter the slush spoon-fed to the American masses each day through traditional means of communication. Musicians can become innovative, finding new and exciting venues for classical music, and incorporating new music technologies into traditional classical music idioms. In the end, only the musicians can change the current musical landscape before classical music in America breathes its final breath.

--
----
Award-winning composer, author, and media artist. Sabrina Pena Young's music and media works have been heard throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Young has authored over a dozen books covering topics as diverse as music, poverty, and cooking. The New Music Box, SAI Panpipes, Percussive Notes, SEAMUS Music Journal, IAWM Music Journal, and Kapralova Society Journal are only some of the notable publications that have published Young's intriguing articles on music and technology.

Young's latest work Libertaria: The Virtual Opera is a groundbreaking animated opera created entirely through Internet Collaboration. 



Comments

HOTTEST POSTS!

Music Secrets: How to Write an Opera, Part 1

Feel like writing an opera is only for big name composers with big budgets? Or are you willing to take the plunge and create a work in one of the most compelling and cutting edge musical forms...an opera? Almost two years ago I embarked on the largest musical production I have created to date -  Libertaria: The Virtual Opera. After writing the award-winning Creation Oratorio and dozens of multimedia works, I wanted to combine my love of the audio and the visual into a single large scale work.  Find a Great Dramatic Story You need a strong story to write a compelling opera. Fortunately you can easily borrow from thousands of public domain works and modernize them. Think of West Side Story (just a contemporary version of Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet) .   Many great operas use Shakespeare, the Brothers Grimm , and Biblical stories, all of which include interesting characters, strong themes, and action.   Libertaria borrows heavily from messianic stories, but is se

What Skills Do You Need to Become a Songwriter?

What Skills Do You Need to Become a Songwriter?  Becoming a successful songwriter is the dream of many musicians. But knowing how to write a song , learn an instrument, and make a successful musical career can seem impossible. Well, it does take a lot of work. Not everyone that wants to be a professional musician will succeed, and many just enjoy writing songs as a fun hobby for their enjoyment.  Do I need to Sing or Play a Musical Instrument? This might seem like a simple question, but it actually has a complicated answer. Why? Some songwriters never learned a single instrument yet can come up with great lyrics and catchy melodies. Others have played piano or guitar for years or are trained singers. So what is the answer?  As a songwriter, you need to understand different aspects of the songwriting process. That doesn't mean you have to have an incredible voice or be the best guitar player on the block. What it does  mean is that you need to know music. There is no better

The Phantom of the Opera - Prague Cello Quartet

The Phantom of the Opera - Prague Cello Quartet

Free Sheet Music Download: Classical Music Flute Solo Airborn Sand by Composer Sabrina Pena Young

Free Sheet Music Download: Classical Music Flute Solo Airborn Sand by Composer Sabrina Pena Young FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD:  http://imslp.org/wiki/Airborn_Sand_(Young,_Sabrina_Pena) Originally composed during a hurricane in South Florida . Inspired by a news reporter 's comments about "Airborne sand " whipping through her hair, the composer decided to write a work for flute that imitated the movements of sand whirling on a beach during a hurricane. It was subsequently performed at the University of South Florida in Tampa . Flute Solo Related articles Friday Freebie: Old Rugged Cross The Landing - Science fiction Robot music - Sabrina Pena Young Music Marketing Secrets: How to Use Twitter, Youtube, Social Media - S P... Quiz: Which Classical Music Era Are You? Latest iTunes 12.5 Beta Should Please Classical Music Fans After Dark - Romanian Rhapsody concert at the Limerick City Gallery of Art Russian inspiration for Clandeboye Festival The Tran

Free Classical Sheet Music and Free Opera Downloads @ Scribd

Sheet Music (Photo credit: jayneandd ) Awhile ago I decided that I would upload the bulk of my music scores and sheet music to sites like Scribd, the Petrucci Music Library , and Archive.org for free sheet music downloads. Some musicians told me that it was ridiculous to give away my music. The truth is that I don't depend on music publishing sales of my scores, and I would rather inspire a young piano student, percussion ensemble, opera singer, grandma, bored music student, or music teacher to play and study my music than hold on tight to my copyrights and let my music scores collect virtual dust on my hard drive.  The Petrucci Library, Scribd, and Archive.org all have dozens of free music scores available for choir, vocal solos, piano, percussion, orchestra, opera, multimedia works, and more. You can see a short list of available free sheet music by checking out the Scores page. You might want to check out scores to my modern opera Libertaria: The Virtual Opera , an ex

Music Secrets: How to Write an Opera, Part 2

Music Secrets: How to Write an Opera, Part 2 After the incredibly positive feedback that I had from Music Secrets: How to Write an Opera, Part 1 , I thought I would talk a little bit about the composition angle of writing, at least how I do it in regards to vocal music . Here's a quick primer for anyone learning some of the basics of writing vocal music for opera, musicals, classical music , etc.  1. The Sketch I have had several great teachers in my life - Dr. Clare Shore , Hilton Jones, Dr. Kristine Burns, Paul Reller , Dr. Frederick Kaufman, Dr. Orlando Garcia, Chuck Owen, etc. My composition prof (and USF SYCOM guru) Paul Reller helped me develop the composition technique that I have had for years.  Download the Libertaria: The Virtual Opera Soundtrack at iTunes When I have the time to go through the entire composition process (because sometimes I have to skip a step or two for deadlines), I will start out with pencil, paper, and a piano (or keyboard, in my case).

How to Write Film Music in 5 Easy Steps

How to Write Film Music in 5 Easy Steps How to write film music in five simple steps for any composer. Thanks for checking out this video! Subscribe for more great content! Like this? Then check out AMAZON BESTSELLER Composer Boot Camp 101, a comprehensive guide to songwriting, composition, and film music with 50 exercises for students, educators, and music professionals! DOWNLOAD TODAY

FREE MOVIE Spiritus : Science Fiction Animation | Sabrina Young Film

In this visually compelling animated sci-fi film by Buffalo filmmaker Sabrina Young, a neurotic janitor hitchhikers her way to the dying exoplanet Spiritus to escape the truth of her past in this visually stunning animated machinima film by award-winning Cuban American Director and Composer Sabrina Peña Young. Thrown into the Asylum by her parents after a violent incident, Eleora longs to join the SpaceX crew to journey to Spiritus. Captain Reginald Hunter, a loser playboy, will do anything to stop her from finding the mysterious Ancient alien seer who calls to her light-years away. Created using a combination of original watercolor paintings created by the director's 8-year-old daughter and video-game inspired machinima, and accompanied by Young's riveting electronica Stranger Things inspired soundtrack, Spiritus promises to take the audience to an unforgettable fantasy adventure. Nominated for Best Animation at the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival 2019. Directed