No, this isn't going to be a downer post. It's actually a step toward solutions, but incorporating some  necessary doses of reality. Here are two -- very similar -- promotional things that students recently have tried. First: As part of the project I'm doing at the University of Maryland, members of the school's symphony orchestra went out to the student union, and started practicing their parts for Strauss's Heldenleben, the big piece on their upcoming concert.And let me be very clear about giving credit for this idea, and for other … [Read more...]

At long last, here's the latest riff from my book. Or, rather, the first part of it. It's long, so I've divided it into two parts. I'll post the second part here in a week. But if anyone wants to read it now, it's here. And the complete riff, both parts combined is here.These new riffs cover chapter three of my book. See the outline (revised, by the way), to see where it fits. It's about the gap - the abyss - between classical music and the rest of our culture. And how that's the reason for the aging audience, and declining funding and ticket … [Read more...]