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Entry: The Death of Music by the Spirit of Government Subsidies Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/the_death_of_music_from_the_spirit_of_government_subsidies#15694 Post contents: I don't think all the blame should be laid at the feet of the public school system, which by its nature is not set up to teach music intensively. An hour per week of 'music appreciation' is not going to ferret out the next creative musical genius. I just did an in-depth study of the young Beethoven. Not only were most of the classical masters born into musical families, they were immersed (and I mean immersed) in the music of their day from a very early age. Playing the organ for 6am service, singing in the boy's choir, studying other instruments, taking classes in composition and theory, etc. etc. Very few of them (Mozart and especially Saent Saens) were full blown musical prodigies at age seven. Our culture does not provide this type of opportunity. Also, music of necessity was performed live back then. And more people did it at some level -- singing, playing folk instruments, etc. It was for enjoyment, bonding and relaxation. Now we passively hear polished performances on recordings. But we don't actively participate. Witness the thousands of American Idol wannabees. They hear their favorite singer and think "I can do that too". A few can. A few are hopelessly tone deaf. But many have tolerable voices, they have just never had the opportunity to learn how to sing and they don't realize it takes time and effort. Our entire culture is amusical in many ways. We should have hand drumming groups in middle schools, steel drum groups in high schools, and a fully integrated Orff Schulwerk curriculum in elementary schools. That would be a start. Sent at: 2008 09 06