My good friend Mara Milkis, a master violinist trained in the former Soviet Union, has a vision of an elementary school for young musicians. She attended such a school in St. Petersburg, where of course everything was done by diktat and state money and contra-U.S. animus. Similar schools exist in China, and I suspect that, more than any inherent aptitude, is why Juilliard is flooded with Asian students nowadays. In China, becoming a musician confers status. Here in the U.S., wealthy parents steer their progeny into moneymaking fields.
An American child bent on becoming a professional musicians must fight an entire system devoted to keeping him out of the progression. These battles has been beautifully documented by Michelle Schwartz in "The Pleasures and Perils of Raising Young Musicians: A Guide for Parents." Parents: Buy it, read it, need it. Michelle's son is now assistant conductor for the San Francisco Symphony; but ah, what a world of grief he and his mother faced on the path to that foothold.
Mara's ideal is to replicate her childhood school here in America. Chidlren would receive full scholarships. Room and board would be provided. The curriculum would focus on developing well-rounded musicians. Students would learn how the history of music is interwoven with world history. Regular academic training would be part of the package. They would be able, at age 12, to take four-part dictation, as Mara did at that age. They would perform with professionals. They would master their instruments in an environment sheltered from the exploitation of child prodigies that verges on pedophilia.
Impossible? No. Sure, obstacles abound. But it is the crazy dreamers, not the dashers of cold water, who start wonderful schools.
1 comments:
My understanding is that music is a star profession. It is not like being a lawyer or other profession where "good enough" can make one a nice living and support a family. Perhaps in these "Star" professions it is completely logical for the barriers to be high. If the barriers were lowered the outcome might just be more excellent musicians struggling to work service jobs. Kind of like we have now with the other liberal arts graduates where there is too much supply and not enough demand. Excess supply will lead to state support (artificial demand. Kind of like the government has the bureaucracy to employ all the sociology majors. What are there more of, professional athletes or well paid classical musicians? No one wants most kids to be a professional athlete either unless they are a stunning talent or do to limited ability in other areas have no other even remotely good options (nothing to lose by trying).
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