Can Classical Music Concerts Be More Entertaining?
Many die-hard classical music concert-goers have grown a disdain towards anything that isn’t a classical instrument on the stage - for example “movie screenings” are the largest abominations to exist. Or God forbid an artist sings and plays from the piano…
However, major concert halls still program the movie screenings and genre-bending type artists and the hall is usually packed. So they’re probably not stopping this anytime soon. However, would they be open to other experimental types of performances, ones that usually get programmed at The Dimenna Center for example?
I think that major concert halls do just enough to program “experimental, experiential, and entertaining” type performances BUT only if it has been proven to work and generate income. Generating income is quite important for a business to remain viable - so that cant be ignored. With that in mind, how can these major concert halls become a “must-go” space that provides a strong and grounded cultural experience (in which they do well) - while also providing some entertainment? People are not rushing to the concert halls to hear Beethoven’s 3rd. Symphony (no shade to the Eroica).
Some suggestions from a small blog:
Education: In music schools, can we move away from the standard repertoire being “the standard” AND also encourage students to learn more than one instrument while tapping into other genres?
Ask Us: Have any of you ever been polled as to what you want to hear more at the Symphony? (This is actually something we want to know, so let us know if you have!)
A Larger Rotation of Talent: There are a fixed set of A-list classical musicians who perform at major concert halls every year - can we expand this to more than ten of the same names over and over?
A Mirror of the Times: The Symphony is the last place “ouch” people go to hear or see anything that reflects current times. Many large organizations want to stay away from this due to politics, however, with the large budgets they have - investing into what’s trending or at least providing a stronger narrative to the state of the world I think is vital. Read The Artist’s Role? for more thoughts on what the responsibility is of those in a cultural position.
For decades, there has been a lot of talk surrounding “aging audiences” - making the Symphony a “must-see” event could be a place to start.
