Karen Merguerian wrote:

>Another example: I used to become terribly bored at school concerts
>listening to the madrigal choir.  But then I was asked to join, and when
>I started singing madrigals, they became very compelling, so much so
>that I was then able to listen to performances of them with patience and
>appreciation.

When I was a graduate student in composition, my teacher was the head
of the electronic/computer music studio.  I wasn't interested in electronic
music, but he insisted that I take at least one semester.  I ended up
teaching electronic/computer music for several years and produced several
dozen works in that medium...I even listen to some electronic works...favorite
composers include Parmegani and Berio.

There was, at one time, a teaching initiative which had young students
composer music using basic household items.

I am also reminded of a series of discs that I love, Young People's
Records...perhaps some of you remember them.  My favorite was one done
by Groucho Marx...yes, old Groucho...singing a song which was quite
dissonant...can't recall the title...and then another one which featured
children playing along with household items...as I recall, one in the
series written by one of my favorite, somewhat forgotten composers,
Richard Mohaupt.  I put a bunch of these on CD.  When I did I wondered
if Groucho's song made me more open to dissonant music!

Karl