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Originally Posted by Tootsall A leader has to be accepted by his "troops" or he's not a leader. Culture can play a huge role in that relationship. |
But aren't the musicians possibly really hurting themselves? Symphony orchestras are folding everywhere -- this one is bringing in more and more money -- while still playing classical and baroque music.
Swartz may not be likable or personable. But lots of leaders have been disliked who have done great jobs. If paying members quit coming and ticket sales decline, there will not be an orchestra. Kill your own job.
Like the baseball umpires who went on strike a few years back over issues they even said may be trivial. MLB simply hired new umpires. The AAA umpires where just as good, and in some cases better.
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Originally Posted by trickg The Big Band that I play for has a situation going where it seems like we play the same stuff over and over and over and overandoverandover....again. Tunes like:
Begin The Beguine
Satin Doll
Take the A Train
Moonligh Serenade
In The Mood
Little Brown Jug
Pennsylvania 6-5000
American Patrol
etc
There are complaints within the band that we are getting tired of playing these same, old, worn out tunes, and there is a movement to try to get some other more interesting stuff in the book. (Bill Potts arrangements come to mind.) |
Anyone who has played in a big band knows this "problem." How many times can you play "In The Mood." But what is interesting is that when Glenn Miller was playing these songs in the 30's and 40's they were new and popular. They still are.
Modern music has to write stuff that is catchy, playable and memorable. Maynard was criticized for playing "Jet", "MacAurthur Park", "Rocky" and "Battlestar Galatictica" and not playing "real" jazz. Yet these where tunes of the era that everyone loved.
In the movie "Drumline" the president of the college has a talk with the band director. He tells him that his predecessor played modern music and that is what got the alumni to write checks. He quips, "But when he was directing the band, the modern songs were not 'My Thong Thing.'"
Time is a great refiner. Music that stands the test of time is usually good music. The problem with current music is determining what is good? Obviously Glenn Miller had a talent for knowing. So does Andrew Lloyd Webber and John Williams. My kid (12 years old) can hum the theme to "Harry Potter" and "ET". I challenged a kid deep into rap at church to "hum" a rap song. He couldn't of course because it doesn't have a melody. Some people have said rap is like "Gregorian chant." Nope, Gregorian chant has a melody.
As musicians we are performers. We don't get paid unless someone pays to see the performance. We can say we are "artists" and won't sell out to popularism (is that a word?). OK, but you will need a day gig and will unlikely be remembered. You can be tired of playing Baroque music or "Little Brown Jug" but people don't tire of hearing it. Why is that?
Good music transcends. Modern good music will also transcend. I have a friend who writes good band music. He writes it for "circus bands." No saxophones or bassoons. But who plays circus music today? But brass band and symphonic band arrangements are played. I have been trying to convince him to add sax parts, etc. It ruins the "circus sound." Maybe. But if you want your piece to be played it needs to be done just the same. Leave as a circus march and it will never be played. My band would play it if it was in symphonic format.
Sometimes as musicians, we have to get over ourselves. At other times, we have keep from selling out. It is a balance that is hard to do. Sometimes we carry the high the banner of good music to enhance peoples lives and stand against crappy music. Sometimes, we have to promote the new good music. When a director figures out this balance, he or she is doing well.