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Main Menu Home MAKE A DONATION About Us Contact Us MHS eNewsletter Composers Conductors Instrumentalists Vocalists Featured Artists & Groups Reviews Donors Search Site for... Links Newsflash Fun Stuff Hot Topic! Bibliography Events Myrtle on the Web Guestbook Who's Online We have 22 guests online Syndicate Finding the truth is not enough. What we also have to find is justice.                                ~Rigoberta Menchu Gwen Y. Fortune on Dumbing Down Classical Music Tuesday, 30 June 2009 "I am sure that all thoughtful, concerned Gainesville citizens read the article-essay in "The Gainesville Sun," today, June 28th, by Raymond Chobaz, director of the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra "Cultural Barbarians at the UF gate." in "Speaking Out," p.13F. He writes passionately, as an artist must, the heart, soul and destruction in the current sturm und drang around the programming of classical music at WUFT-FM (NPR.)." Thus states Gwen Y. Fortune, author of novels "Growing Up Nigger Rich" and "Family Lines." The primary issue is not whether or not someone "likes" classical music. Chobaz, describes the meaning of creativity, history and art in the life of a civilization. He places the culprit, accurately, in the "need and greed of Big Business" that is rapidly devouring the essence of a university as a major factor in "the cultural legacy" of a people. Ignorance is overrunning thought and learning--what a socio-culture IS. Everyone has heard the term "dumbing down." This is what removing classical music from the station signals and means, the failure to comprehend the role and value of the, pardon me, higher qualities of a society. In her reply letter to the columnist, Ms. Fortune states: Classical music is not "readily accessible." Neither is insightful analysis of current issues." Still, talk is more readily available in American culture, everywhere, than classical music. By classical, I do not mean exclusively Euro-American, but a quality of music beyond the "top whatever" pop music. Classical music, ANY music that teaches the role of music in world culture has been eliminated from most American schools. Simply reading notation, and singing so as to competently sing folk songs and hymns is gone. (Continue reading) Dear...,  We disagree. Classical music is not "readily accessible." Neither is insightful analysis of current issues."  Still, talk is more readily available in American culture, everywhere, than classical music. By classical, I do not mean exclusively Euro-American, but a quality of music beyond the "top whatever" pop music.    Classical music, ANY music that teaches the role of music in world culture has been eliminated from most American schools.Simply reading notation, and singing so as to competently sing folk songs and hymns is gone.   I have a Presbyterian "Hymnal,"  1933--a family piece, where the hymns are written one to three notes higher than the recent hymnals, a more "carrying sound, and good for the lungs. The harmonies are more complex--which stimulates brainwaves.   I have written a thirteen week series titled, "We do it all, music composed by people of African heritage, because a university student in Chapel Hill questioned a Kathleen Battle CD I was buying. When I told her that the woman sings "classical music," the student said she "didn't know our people sang that kind of music." Not just "our people," but the majority of younger Americans of all ethnicities and classes have an ignorance of some of the greatest musical-cultural heritage of the past 1000 years. from plain song,, chant to Aaron Copeland, the authentic composed and arranged music and other arts of the entire world.   It appears that Africa and Asia will be the only places to reverence and extend this art. There are young South Africans with a wonderful school that was started by a British woman. it has toured Britain, and one of its graduates plays in a major  orchestra in England. American symphony orchestras are, increasingly, filled with Asians, because America's young people are not being taught the music. Scientifically, more complex music stimulates intellect and creativity.   My sons heard only classical music as children. They are high achievers and continue their interest. My grandchildren were exposed to classical music before birth, the eldest being selected at age 11 for a chorus in New Haven that performs at universities and halls throughout New England. My five year old granddaughter, in Brooklyn, thank goodness, has studied Suzuki violin for nearly two years.. She, also, studies dance at the Alvin Ailey School. As a career educator, from four generations of people who were classically trained musician, a great aunt performed in the NYC area in early 20th century. So, it is no surprise that I will fight for as much exposure to music beyond "pop," and know that one small radio station in any area of the country that offers  the variety at WUFT is not too much. I cringe at the killing of the broad spectrum of exposure to all aspects for the commercial.   Frankly, the news programming at NPR is just a bit more insightful than commercial radio, because the market influences, the insistence on playing to the demographic of ages 9 or so to about 30 is not producing the highest quality news and commentary.  I get superior news and commentary from DIRECTV's Link-TV, Channel 375, a number of online sites, Huffington Post, AlterNet, NYTimes, Washington Post and regular articles sent by friends around the world.   Given that the originators and supporters of National Public Radio were, to a great extent, educated, cultured citizens who saw the demise of anything beyond the largest common denominator taking over the public airways, NPR was founded. It was a response to "dumbing down." I was around at the time, as a contributor to WMFT in Chicago. That station was organized and supported by members of the Chicago Lyric Opera and Orchestra, University of Chicago and Northwestern people. This was so nationwide,in the late 1960s. A balance of information, news, jazz, folk and classical music was offered. My pledge comment was read on air. It was, "I am contributing to two endangered species, jazz and classical music."   Eventually, WFMT had to leave NPR because of the bias toward news and commentary, so that no complete classical works were played, only brief excerpts, "cut' by engineers who had no awareness and knowledge of the arc of a concerto or symphony, and a particular bias against vocal music. To fully love and appreciate the music's complexity requires training-educating to listen. In addition to family emersion I studied piano from age five, clarinet at 11,  through four college years, that included two years at Juilliard School of Music, followed by nine years of private study beyond. college. Without the former school music education, K-12,  most Americans are "tone deaf" to what is being performed. and I had to earn my living as a social science teacher because what one loves and does best is not supported by society. Never has been, if it is not commercial.   I could go on, such as how American classical musicians, like Vinson Cole, have had to work in Europe to earn a living, but I won't.   WUFT is the only source of good--yes, good--music in this area. We can hear pop, rap, hip hop on commercial stations. There are 6 and one-half hours of classical music per weekday with news headlines on the hour. All things Considered begins at 4:30 PM.  Even though I have been a student of classical music--and jazz--since pre-school I learn much between 11-12 noon from Bill McGlaughin's, Exploring Music. this will be lost if the 9AM to 4:30 PM music is stopped.   At the moment, after McGlaughlin's program, I'm listening to Terri Gross's noon to one PM "Freshair" interview of a former head of CNN International.   G. Y. Fortune, Ed. D. Every generation has to fight for freedom all over again!   Novels: Growing Up Nigger Rich and Family Lines Available at bookstores, libraries and Amazon.com http://xenarts.com/gunr Watch for "Weaving the Journey," 2009   < Prev   Next > [ Back ]       © 2012 myrtlehart.org Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.

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