From our agony aunt:
Dear Alma,
I am a retired public music teacher in a mid-sized town. My local orchestra programs quite a bit of the old stuffy repertoire, and I like to bring the grandkids to pop concerts like Harry Potter. Our orchestra plays only one light concert per season, but I wish it were more. The Harry Potter concert was remarkably well attended.
Is there a way to encourage more Potter?
Sincerely,
Potty for Potter
Dear Potty for Potter,
That’s wonderful that you dedicated your life to music education and are enjoying a well-deserved retirement, with grandkids to boot. That all sounds ideal.
Why don’t you ask at the box office next time if they have a suggestions box? It’s important to have the input of the audience when making decisions about programming.
Every orchestra needs to balance programming, budget, as well as music that makes both audience and musicians happy. I understand that your grandkids like Potter – who doesn’t? Maybe there is also a way that they can enjoy the standard repertoire as well, such as listening to the pieces before you go, and learning about the composer or performer.
When my kids were younger, I would often bring them to just the first half of a performance. They would be exposed to great music and they would look forward to going out to get a bite to eat before the evening got too late.
Potty for Potter, it sounds like you are going in a great direction with the grandkids. Keep it up!
Questions for Alma? Please put them in the comments section or send to DearAlmaQuery@gmail.com
The post Dear Alma, I prefer Harry Potter to Haydn. Am I a very bad teacher? appeared first on Slippedisc.
