I've been reading with interest the debate between Jon Johanning and Karl Miller concerning the extent of "changes in the air" in the world of classical music. Jon indicated that changes were pervasive. Karl said that the only significant changes were in marketing. Jon replied that marketing is so encompassing that it is pervasive by itself. I consider both list members to be correct. Beyond that, I see a potential battle looming between the "insiders" and the "inbetweeners." The insiders are the folks receiving music and those providing it(composers, artists, musicians). The inbetweeners are the record companies and their marketing staffs. A little example in the medical field will help me make my point. For a few years in the US, women were allowed insurance coverage for just one night in the hospital after delivery a baby. This decision was not made by doctors or patients; it was made by insurance companies. The policy was purely "profit" motivated, and the folks actually involved in delivering babies(doctor and mom) had no say or control in the matter. Now, in the world of classical music, we are faced with a similar situation. As we enter the 21st century, will the insiders determine the direction classical music takes or will the inbetweeners be in control? If the insiders do not take control, the direction will undoubtedly be toward crossover, fusion, and eclecticism. Perhaps the insiders would take this direction also. However, I think it will make a great deal of difference which group emerges with the power. All of us on this list are music receivers; some are providers as well. At a minimum, we do control what we buy. As I stated in an earlier posting, we can use our buying power to send whatever messages to the record industry we like. If we purchase the music that the companies are directing us toward, we will reap the results desired by the companies. I am confident that the insiders have the necessary power to control classical music. The question remains whether the insiders will truely exercise their power or merely grumble now and then and accept what they're fed. Don