Is Classical Music Worthy of Our Time?

In recent years many Symphony Orchestras have suffered from pay-cuts, and mostly lack of appreciation from the general public. I go to the symphony at least twice a month to enjoy the music. My exposure to classical music was present since birth. My parents are both professional musicians, so I really heard a lot of it. The first instinct I had was to fight music any way I could. I started taking piano when I was six years old then I picked up the flute. However, I have met many people my age who don’t even know what a symphony is. If it doesn’t have a catchy tune that repeats over and over about someone who’s done you wrong, then why listen? Why Listen? Classical music is unique in that it doesn’t have lyrics. This is a problem for the majority of the general population. Many people need to have lyrics to know exactly what the song is about. Classical music is thought provoking. It makes everyone think just a little bit more about what the music could be about. It doesn’t spell it out, so it is up for interpretation. However, if you factor in what the composer was doing when he wrote this piece, when it was composed in relation to history, and in what country, you may very well get chills. Why Listen Live? Every musician has their own experience they bring to the table. Let’s take an orchestra for example, even a local one like the Columbus Symphony. Each one of these members has dedicated their entire life to playing their instrument. What people witness when they go to concerts is not only one person’s dedication to their instrument but about 50 or 60 people’s dedication. That is 4 hours of practice (on average) a day for their whole life. That’s a total of 60 full days a year spent working to perfect this craft. And, isn’t because they know they will find a job, it is because they love play their instrument. The orchestra produces its sound because of what each individual has experienced in their lifetime. Each person on stage has their own story, and usually they’ve done some pretty incredible things. Differences Between Classical and Popular Music. Unlike popular music, symphony orchestras can play live music and it won’t be considered a “cover.” The pieces written for the orchestra are not only written by one person, but they are incredibly intricate. Symphonies matter because of the meaning behind the beautiful melody, or the angry harmonies. They are not spelled out for the listener, so most people just don’t bother. People view popular music as the people’s music, and it is very convenient to only have to listen to a 3 minute piece of music as opposed to 15. But, why should that stop us from being interested and educated about this unfamiliar art? Why do people think that classical music isn’t interesting enough or too “too boring.” Dying Art Form. Many orchestras are suffering from the lack of interest in the general population. They are also suffering from the lack of interest in their management. Many donors or board members for orchestras all over the country donate time and money because it is socially the right thing to do in the upper class. Many people don’t care about the music programs in schools with levy’s failing left and right, so why should they care about professional musicians? The reason in my opinion is that music is human nature. Music is one thing that has been around for centuries and centuries. Music makes people feel happy or sad based on the chord structure, based on the key signature. The time signature in music makes them want to dance, whether it be slow or fast. Popular music is also human nature. Ke$ha has a place in the music world just as the New York Philharmonic does. I personally wouldn’t want to be listening to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 at a club or a party. But why give Ke$ha a chance, but not the New York Phil? Music affects how we are, it affects our mood, and it affects our life in more ways than we realize. All anyone needs to do is give this kind of music, this kind of art a chance.