Rick Mabry wrote: >I have remarked to my friends, when we discuss the "health" or future >of the symphony here in Shreveport (it's hanging in there) that I wish >conductors would say more about the history of and the anectdotes >surrounding the pieces that are performed. I think it is a good use of >the time at a performance and rarely fails to give me a bit more focus >and interest. The liner notes that come with a program are nice, but I >like hearing a person telling a tale. (It can also wake the audience up >a bit.) On our topic again, is this one more way to grab the younger >audience members (once they have been dragged to the show by their parents >or teachers)? I think videos like these two are extremely helpful. I wonder...over the years, I have read of so many attempts to interest develop a younger audience for classical music, yet the market surveys I have seen over they years, all seem to point to the age range of the audience for classical music, remaining the same. Does anyone know of a proven pedagogical methodology for attracting younger audiences to classical music? For me, I keep wondering why the same methodologies (especially dumbing down content) keep being held in such high regard, when I know of no empirical evidence to support their efficacy. I am reminded of a thread on this list (several years ago) where many of us told of what attracted us initially to classical music. I don't recall there being any commonality. Karl