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