Ramblings on Musical Elitism

I had meant to write this earlier in the semester, but life and everything got in the way.

I was in the music library one day making some copies, when I overheard a certain music professor "chatting" with one of the student workers.

On this day, the school newspaper released its new edition, and one of the editorials was titled something like "Don't Overlook Student Musicians."  It was a referring to the time that a certain performer (whose name rhymes with Bike Bosner) came to perform, and though one of our more prominent student bands was very connected to the artist, the University student board neglected to choose them as one of the opening acts to the concert (of which he had like 8, but that's besides the point).

As this professor was waiting for the library staff to retrieve something for her, she started perusing said newspaper.  I was making copies, and half eaves-dropping (don't judge me, it's the music school.  Everybody eaves-drops) when I heard the professor say something along the lines of "you know, they really shouldn't publish things like this - it confuses people and detracts from what music students REALLY do."

This statement got me thinking about the role that we play in the whole music world.  This professor is known for her... pedestalistic (is that even a word?  I don't even know) view of music.  And by that I mean that in her mind (and a lot of classically trained minds), there is a clear dichotomy between "good music" and "crap music," with classical music being at the top of that pedestal (pyramid, whatever you want).

This begs the question: What are we music students really trying to accomplish, in all of our educational endeavors?  It is no secret that classical music is a slowly dying art, associated mainly with old people and those who are perhaps not as apt socially.  And Asians.  Are we to continue this trend of slowly emptying concert halls and bankrupt symphonies forever?

The whole point of music is to ENJOY oneself.  Just as there is a time and place for Shostakovich's 6th Symphony, so too is there room for Justin Bieber's "Baby."  Art is art, expression is expression.  It is just that people who are along the vein of J-biebs is simply a bit EASIER to "appreciate," so to speak.

This is starting to sound like an entire (boring) dissertation, so I'll stop soon... I only want to point out that while there are people who like to stay soundly in their own worlds, such as this professor or Sir Bieber, there are a great amount of people looking to bridge the gap betweenclassical and "mainstream" music.  Youtube musicians Paul Dateh and Jason Yang are both classically trained violinists, yet they are branching out and exploring the worlds of hip hop and pop, while still keeping the integrity of their instruments, and especially with Mr. Dateh, adds little "hints" and easter eggs of classical riffs into his music.

So I guess what I'm saying is, instead of perpetuating the dichotomy, and resisting change, to try to incorporate different aspects into one's work.  Being one-dimensional is so boring.  I can appreciate just about anything from Lady Gaga to Samuel Barber, and I feel that I am better off because of it.

Gosh this became so rambly... Apologies, but please let me know what you think.  These are just things that I've experienced and are my opinons on the matter.