Really. I think this future we’ve all pondered is here. Detroit has to figure it out. We all have to figure it out. I don’t pretend to have answers.
I believe — I know — music is important. I know the arts are important. I haven’t a doubt. But right now it’s about survival, without compromising quality. I’m don’t know what the answer is, but I do know we have to find it.
It’s going to be tough, but the trick is going to be finding arguments that don’t make classical music and musicians sound like a spoilt, whinging elite who believe things ought to continue as they are because of their innate superiority, but rather show how essential our cultural and musical provision is to the whole of society, how relatively little it costs the taxpayer, and how, especially in a time of economic and social difficulty, music becomes more, not less, important. Let’s get to it.
He’s very right. And unfortunately, I think that right now, it’s very much coming off as “spoilt, whinging elite who believe things ought to continue as they are because of their innate superiority,” especially when musicians are complaining about adding outreach components to their contracts, and when so many people in Michigan have lost jobs and homes recently.
Well, a 29% pay cut is pretty darn significant, Gabrielle! I’m not sure someone who is upset about that is whining.
His words, not mine! I’m saying more that I don’t think they’ll get much support from the community. A 29% paycut is indeed drastic, and I’m sorry that’s what being asked of them. But from the point of view of someone who’s lost a job or a home, a 29% reduction off of a $100,000+ salary is still pretty comfortable.
In case you thought I was saying you said those words, please know I wasn’t! 🙂
But I actually wasn’t even sure that he was blaming these specific musicians of whining. Since he’s from the UK it’s possible he was referring to others …?