{"id":91,"date":"2008-05-15T22:07:28","date_gmt":"2008-05-16T02:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/jazzbeyondjazz\/wp\/2008\/05\/modest_proposal_and_recommenda\/"},"modified":"2011-04-28T16:34:43","modified_gmt":"2011-04-28T20:34:43","slug":"modest_proposal_and_recommenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/jazzbeyondjazz\/2008\/05\/modest_proposal_and_recommenda.html","title":{"rendered":"Modest proposal, and recommendations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saxophonist and Love of Life Orchestra leader Peter Gordon<\/a> gave one of the most lucid presentations at the recent Experience Music Project’s Pop Conference<\/a> — being the only person over three days to perform a note of music within their allotted 20 minutes. Of course, his reasonable, arguably achievable suggestions may seem outrageous, given the outrages of our time — but I offer them here with hopes presumptive nominee<\/a>s for president of all parties<\/a> in the U.S. (and why not abroad?) give serious consideration to their support, in exchange for the gratitude and perhaps the votes of the music-lovin’ public.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/p>\n


<\/div>\n
Also, see Matt Miller’s newest recommendations for NYC performances — Comin’ Right Up<\/a>.<\/div>\n


\n
\n“Musical Action for an Authoritarian
\nAmerica — a Manifesto” is the title of Peter Gordon’s paper, which begins with
\nthe undeniable premises: “Music Is Important, Music Deserves Our Respect, We
\nNeed Change.” He continues (I excerpt):<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

Music is
\nan essential part of human nature, and even reaches beyond our human species. .
\n. Music touches us on a primal level, singing vibrates the back of the throat,
\nchanting massages the brain. Rhythm provides social synchronicity, melody
\nprovides a linear code on which we can hang our memories and aspirations.<\/span><\/p>\n

. . . Music is a
\nparallel to language – it does need to interpret, nor to be interpreted. Music
\ncan elicit an unspoken understanding among strangers in a dark room, it can
\nexpress and evoke emotions for which poetry lacks words. Music means, and is
\nsomething in and of itself.\u00c2\u00a0. .\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Music
\ntouches us on the metabolic level. It has healing powers beyond emotional,\u00c2\u00a0
\nbeyond sexual healing. . .\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Music
\nis like Religion, except it is not an exclusive . . .the Musical Experience is spiritual
\n– it sparks the soul, and allows us a glimpse of an all-encompassing universe.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>As such, the practitioners of
\nMusic should be afforded all the rights, privileges, and protections as
\npractitioners of other faiths. All music-related items, organizations,
\nproperty, services, etc should be free of any local, state or federal taxation.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I
\nwant to see Music represented at the highest level of government – I suggest a
\nfourth branch of powers – let there be the executive, legislative, judicial,
\nand musical branches of government. Free of any influences and pressures from
\nthe other three branches of power, an autonomous firewall to protect this
\nessential human activity.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span>I
\nwant to see a House of Music on every corner in urban neighborhoods and within
\nwalking, or bicycling, distance of all homes across America. This is a place to
\nplay, listen and learn music. A center of learning, with a full staff of
\ninstructors, as well as a performance center. All genres and media welcome.
\nThese Houses of Music will provide private and ensemble instruction, and
\nperformance opportunities free of charge to anyone. Concerts and dances will be
\nregularly scheduled, with a proper budget for performers. Ad hoc events from
\nany part of the community should also be encouraged.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Music
\nis a special interest group. . . Music people should have incredible lobbying
\npower, and should command, and demand, whatever resources are necessary.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>We need to organize. We need to look
\nbeyond genre, style, particular musical cultures — we need to work for the
\ncommon good of all music people.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Music
\nneeds a Hippocratic oath.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>Music
\nmust do no harm.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>All uses of music
\nfor torture or any other use of force must be prohibited, This includes use of
\nmusic as a means of deterrence and population control, such as municipalities
\nor landlords who play intentionally vile music in public areas in order to keep
\npeople (ie, others) from gathering. We must STOP torture of any type — this
\nincludes musical torture.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The
\nworld is being ravaged by consumer excess and depletion of resources. . . We must just stop using music to sell things. Advertising
\nlicenses are not a good thing. . . I
\npropose a moratorium on all music in advertising. This needs to be seen as a
\nsacrilege.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Music,
\nat its very basic, involves the sharing of an experience in which there is the
\npushing of air over time. . .\u00c2\u00a0Music has a vested
\ninterest in the air. We need to lower our carbon footprint and protect the air
\nwe breathe, but more importantly, we need to protect the air Music breathes.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Music
\nis about community, encoded in music is the memory of generations. Music
\nconnects us to our ancestors, to our history. However, equally important, music
\ncan also be a refuge from community. Music provides a sanctuary for the
\ndisaffected. Many of us would be lost, without a sense of purpose or belonging,
\nwere it not for music.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n


<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ACTION ITEMS:\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n


<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n