Kimberly Martin wrote:

>I'm 19 and in college, majoring in music education.  I've already found
>myself creating a massive gulf between "real" music (an expression one of
>my professors unwisely used) and popular music.

The professor deserves a kick in the ass.

>Recently, the gulf between heavy metal and symphony music has been brought
>together through Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.  I'm
>curious as to what other music-appreciative people feel about this blend.

I'm not impressed.

>I feel it's something that should have been done long ago,...

See below, it has been done.

>...and has it's own place in society.

I doubt it.

>However some of my professors think it is a mockery of the orchestra.

I'm afraid he's right.

>Also, does anyone know of any other blends of this sort?

I'm almost 55 and I recall an LP, released when I was about 20, called
"Days of Future passed", by the Moody Blues and the London Symphony
Orchestra.  As far as I know, it was one of the first attempts to create a
cross-over.  Now the smooth, sweet sound of the Moody Blues is by no means
heavy metal, but it surely is pop music.  Did I like it? No, though I was
and am an ardent lover of pop music and classical music as well.  Only two
songs survived and can be heard sometimes on the various radio stations, at
least here in the Netherlands:  "Nights in white satin" (beautiful melody)
and "Tuesday afternoon" (mwah).  But try to find it, Kimberly, though I
haven't the foggiest if it's available on CD (maybe Dave has?).

Regards,
Joyce Maier