William Hong wrote:
>Personally, if I had the power to make the decision, I'd supplement PT with
>a revival of the Young People's Concerts concept that Lenny did so well for
>an earlier generation, and do it for about an hour extra per day. That way
>it might have to be limited to a single work, but for kids' attention
>spans, that would be fine.
It has been tried regionally by several orchestras. In terms of a
nationwide broadcast, getting PBS or NPR involved would be the easy part.
Working something like this into an orchestra's schedule then paying for
it--more difficult, but with some foundation involvement, possible.
The biggest problem (alas) is the personality question. Leonard Bernstein
was a charismatic figure uniquely positioned in time and space for the
Young People's Concerts. Who could command such a following today? Some
conductors who have done superb local YPC's include Leonard Slatkin,
Michael Tilson Thomas, Bobby McFarrin and David Zinman. Probably some
others I haven't thought of.
But I agree. A national television series--probably on PBS--would be a
wonderful asset. Tied in with school programs, it could perform a real
service to music education.
>The only option which is off the table, IMHO, is that NPR go away, because
>whatever its faults, it won't.
Thanks, Bill, for the vote of confidence. I wish all of us in the industry
were just as sanguine about the future.
John M. Proffitt
General Manager & C.E.O.
Radio Station KUHF-FM
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