Orchestras, in recent years, have faced considerable challenges. For example, they lack the financial and moral patronage that they enjoyed in the early 20th century. Critiques of music have participated in the debate concerning the ways of improving the prospects of classical music in the country. Orchestras need to adapt to the changing times to achieve success in the long term.
The author laments that orchestras experienced a decline due to various factors. A few classical music companies have applied for bankruptcy status. Many other musical groups are functioning despite financial losses. One may accept the argument of the author that classical music companies are facing a major crisis, but it is not possible to accept the argument that orchestra companies should not modify their music. The article suggests that the recent financial crisis has been responsible for the debacle of orchestra companies (Kennicott). They have failed to introduce changes in their organizational structure.
As the article mentions, orchestra companies have traditionally depended on subscriptions by obtaining commitments from the audience. In the past, the audience enjoyed classical music composed by musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, and others. They indeed obtained patronage from the audience. When the subscription system failed, it was replaced by a new system of selling music to the audience. Classical music companies have failed to market their products. The author believes in the dichotomy between classical and popular music. He is not keen to accept the limitations of companies that failed to comprehend changing taste of the audience (Kennicott).
The taste of the audience changes due to various factors. Changes in the lifestyle of people in the modern period are also responsible for the trouble faced by music companies. In the 1950s, people enjoyed classical music because they had sufficient time. Today, people do not have time due to work pressure. It is true that classical music companies attempted to innovate by presenting diversified music that included pop, jazz, and other genres.
There is a need for an appropriate appraisal of reasons for the breakdown of classical music companies. Young people cannot find time to attend musical concerts. Classical music has survived in other countries. For example, Asian and African countries have preserved the tradition of classical music. American musicians need to study their counterparts in other nations to learn the ways of protecting classical music. The use of new musical instruments, for instance, may attract the younger generation to this genre of music.
Dare is justified when he stated that totalitarianism has been a major feature of orchestras in the country. Totalitarianism can be defined as the unquestionable domination of the leader over the follower. Classical music represents totalitarianism because it does not encourage change. It appealed to a section of the population in the 1930s. It is not correct to expect that people would appreciate classical music in the 21st century.
Dare showed the need for orchestra musicians to alter their attitude towards music. Kennicott attempts to justify the totalitarianism of classical music. In the changing times, it is difficult to defend the argument that classical music should remain static. In the 1930s, the country lacked diverse social groups. In this situation, classical music appealed to the majority of music lovers. Today, the country comprises people who belong to different cultures and religions. Classical music needs to comprehend the demands of the new age.
It is not possible to accept the argument of Kennicott that any music form that does not follow the rules of classical music is not “culture”. Societal values can change over a period. Various musical forms need to introduce changes in their music to survive the competition. The failure of orchestras in the country is due to their inability to introduce appropriate changes. Democratization, and not authoritarianism, is likely to empower classical music companies to survive competition from popular music. Orchestras should devise a long-term strategy to appeal to the younger audience. For example, the introduction of a music appreciation course for kids in schools can yield desired results.
The views of Dare should open the eyes of classical music companies to the new reality. There is a need to accept individuals who would bring necessary changes in the classical music industry. Orchestra companies should learn from other musical genres that survived difficult times. They need to digitize their products to sell them on the Internet. It is possible that people do not have time to attend orchestra performances. They can buy digital products related to classical music. Orchestra companies need to use non-traditional methods of marketing their products.
In the 21st century, the orchestra can perform varied functions. Orchestra can contribute to improved community life. For example, it can encourage elders to attend orchestra performances. In this way, it is possible to encourage them to become part of the community. Orchestra companies can conduct classes to train old people in classical music. This method can be used to expand the audience base of musicians.
Kennicott mentions that orchestras can address educational institutions. School and college students should be encouraged to learn classical music. Learning of this music genre enables them to appreciate its relevance to society in the long term. Orchestra companies should appreciate diversity, as it has become a part of the American culture. For example, one can note the assimilation of Asian, Mexican, and African cultures with the dominant American culture.
Classical music should create a piece of music that can appeal to minority groups settled in the country. Diversity in classical music does not necessarily represent counterculture. Orchestras can perform in hospitals to provide service to the sick. In this way, patients and their relatives can obtain the service of musicians. Music has a positive impact on persons who suffer from brain-related disorders.
Children with learning disabilities can benefit from classical music. Orchestras can visit religious institutions such as churches belonging to different Christian communities. They provide an opportunity for classical musicians to create serious and useful music. Classical musicians can visit prisons in the neighborhood. Juvenile delinquents need the support of the community. It is possible to reform young criminals by encouraging them to learn music. People with mental health problems need the service of classical musicians. Psychiatrists would appreciate classical music due to its ability to improve the creativity of people with speech-related disorders.
The failure of orchestras is due to the financial crisis. It is also due to the failure of companies to create an appropriate strategy to comprehend changing demands of the younger generation. Music cannot remain constant. It needs to challenge itself to attract the imagination of the audience. One can accept the argument of Dare concerning the ‘totalitarianism’ of musicians who have refused to accept diversity as the reality of modern times. Classical music has the potential to serve students with various disabilities. It is also relevant to teachers, juvenile delinquents, and patients suffering from physical and mental health problems.
Works Cited
Kennicott, Philip. “America’s Orchestras are in Crisis: How an Effort to Popularize Classical Music Undermines What Makes Orchestras Great”. New Republic, New Republic. 2013. Web.