"Symphony 101"

Recently I received a copy of the 2009-10 brochure of the Rochester (NY) Philharmonic. The orchestra no doubt receives a boost from being located in the same city as the legendary Eastman School of Music, but, like most orchestras today, must consistently market itself effectively and demonstrate its continued relevance to its community. A few years ago the situation for many orchestras was looking bleak, but lately some orchestras have experienced positive growth and increased media attention. Here in St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony posted significant audience increases in 2008-09, as well as increases in financial support as a result of challenge grants. Also significant is the fact that audiences have become increasingly diverse in social, economic, educational and ethnic backgrounds, proving that great music speaks to us all.

I have long felt that one of the problems facing orchestras today is the tragic state of music and general education in our society. Although many public and independent schools maintain excellent music programs, too many schools do not. Even some of the schools with strong programs emphasize marching bands and "show choirs" at the expense of orchestral, chamber and traditionally-oriented choral music. Marching bands and vocal entertainment are worthy endeavors in and of themselves, and offer students rewarding experience, but students should be made aware of orchestral music as the backbone of serious Western music, along with the classical choral and solo vocal traditions without which modern popular music would not exist.

Increasingly, orchestras and their conductors have realized that they must assume the task of educating the public in addition to performing; our schools simply will not do the job fully. Thankfully, this is being accomplished. Here in St. Louis, David Robertson, music director of the SLSO, frequently gives brief commentary and introductions to new works, as well as occasionally to the masterworks. The SLSO also has vastly increased its offerings and venues throughout the community in an effort to accommodate all tastes.

In Rochester, Music Director Christopher Seaman offers a series of concerts entitled "Symphony 101"--with an option to graduate to Symphony 201--that introduce listeners to standard masterworks. The concerts are one hour in length, and are followed by question and answer sessions with Mr. Seaman. This "course" is an important contribution because, although many musicians lament audiences' reluctance to accept new works, in reality too many of us still haven't learned to accept and understand the traditional masterworks. Perhaps if we become better acquainted with our shared cultural legacy through the masterworks of the past, we will not only enrich our own lives, but will also develop the discernment and understanding to evaluate the new directions in which music and culture are heading.