Ian Foster wrote:
>The world of classical music has also been blighted by its array of
>"geniuses". Far too much store is set by standards of excellence,
>whatever they might be. When will someone celebrate mediocrity?
When we all have our brains bludgeoned is when mediocrity will be
celebrated. I don't mean to be rude, and I certainly understand (and
agree with) your statements that the amateur orchestra has its vital role
in communities and else where.
Seriously, don't you think celebrating mediocrity makes for a very boring
and uninteresting culture? Give your head a shake, sir. Raising the bar to
the very highest level is what motivates people, it's what gives meaning to
things. Doing something well, especially music, is a gift. Some people do
music well, some people are excellent writers, some people are excellent at
selling insurance. My point is, celebrating mediocrity, or advocating for
doing so, would cause a decline in civilization. If you're saying we
shouldn't celebrate greatness in music, couldn't we just as easily say to
our children "Don't worry about being really good at school." or "don't try
to be the best you can be, whatever you are right now is just fine."?? Or
couldn't we say the same things of our elected officials? Or the people who
handle our money at the bank? (Just picture this: "Oh, don't worry about
that 200 dollar mistake, it's alright. I know you're not really worrying
about it, neither am I...) I think holding people to their highest
standards are where people grow and develop, and where fields - be it
journalism, PR, music, writing, whatever - grow and become better as well.
>I get a great deal of pleasure from listening to my local amateur
>orchestra.
So do I: I genuinely appreciate listening to people play who really love
music. But it doesn't mean that the people who play beautifully, perfectly
even, don't love music.
>What is clear is that making "saints" of "geniuses" is dangerous.
>Musicians are more likely to have something to say to us when they
>recognise what they have in common with us, rather than when they are
>placed on a pedestal, enjoy a luxurious jet-set lifestyle separated from
>the rest of humanity, etc.
Agreed. Making saints of geniuses, or stars, or influentials is dangerous.
I don't think you have to though. And some people have their own problems
regardless of how they're treated. I know plenty of manipulative and
selfish non-musicians (or non-stars) and I've heard of plenty of excellent
musicians (Yo-Yo Ma, for one, if reports are to be believed) who are not
only excellent, gift musicians but also wonderfully thoughtful, interesting
people. My point is, celebrating mediocrity or banning excellence could
cause a problem I don't think you're prepared to deal with. And I don't
think it's the essential problem.
-Lindsey Orcutt
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