All those of us connected to music know that a musical education helps enormously in
the development and maintenance of a civilized society. I'm not talking about musical
careers. I'm talking about the development of self discipline and cooperation. Where can
we start? I think we have to start where kids are at. Its not the same as 100 years ago.
We (kids and adults) have to contend with a vast galaxy of competing influences. TV,
movies,video games, gang activity, you name it.So, where can we start, as I asked
before. In Mexico there is still a tradition (although diminishing) of mariachi. You can
go to Garibaldi square in Mexico City and audition as many as 50 groups of mostly self
taught musicians for gigs (like I did for David's wedding). I even heard some trombone
and French horn players besides the usual trumpets, violins, guitars Jalisco harps and,
of course, electronic keyboards as well as a few woodwinds. Maybe we can start with
this native enthusiasm and gradually catalyze an interest in more sophisticated fare?
ENTHUSIASM is the key word. How can you instill it? How can you burnish it? How can
you maintain it?
Around here San Francisco Symphony does a great job of outreach to the schools. So
does Larry Granger with Youth Music Monterey. Also Marin Alsop dedicates herself
tirelessly into "family" music activities at Cabrillo in Santa Cruz.I think the star turn
world wide is the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and their great young
conductor Gustavo Dudamel. I'll never forget his youth orchestra dancing around Davies
hall waving their cellos in the air. They are all over the internet. Go LOOK! |
