oboeinsight

Initially, candidates applied via video. The conductor whittled down a short list of players who were outstanding enough to participate in the group. But then, finalists engaged in Internet campaigns, where fans were encouraged to vote for their favorites. Those with the highest ballot count were likely to get the gig.

This process has understandably received some criticism. Will people with better marketing and social media chops be more apt to advance, even if their playing isn’t quite as strong? Perhaps. But isn’t that exactly what orchestras need? More members actively advocating, cultivating a following, and motivating their own networks.

I read it here.

I’m just going to leave this one alone. After I go scream a bit.

Growing up, classical music was a large part of my life. It just wasn’t a particularly pleasant one.

To me, it meant Saturday afternoon chores: there was always some Brahms or Schubert to accompany the long hours of scrubbing orange scum off the toilet or sweeping the kitchen. The only genre I hated worse was Cajun and Zydeco, which my dad always played when it came time for my monthly assigned room-cleaning.

Later, as I began developing my own tastes, classical music went by the wayside completely. Symphonies and sonatas make for fine dinner-table music, I decided, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the extra brain cells the Mozart shot into my pink ears during my fetal days might have afforded me. But I’ll stick to me rock n’ roll for the casual listening, thanks.

The above was written by a high school senior, Nathan Kitzmann. Please read the entire thing. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

There is hope.