Soundpost: Letters to the Editor January 2022

BRING IT HOME

Thank you for posting online Vivien Schweitzer’s 2014 article titled ‘You can only diversify the audience by having a diverse group of people on stage’ (bit.ly/3DTdjdo), but I do not believe the statement in the headline is true. If an orchestra performs Baroque, Classical or Romantic works along with those written by the composers of today, you will still have diversity in the audience. What we really need here is the broadening of exposure of various musical genres in people’s communities. That is the way you cultivate an audience.

By bringing the various cultures and types of music into the many divergent communities in this country, you awaken an awareness and a desire to participate in the performance of such compositions in both ways, either as an audience member or as a performer. Exposure to very good musical compositions makes you feel good inside. It’s very satisfying and expansive to the conscious mind.

LESLIE FALLIS

Clearfield, UT, US