Page 48 - APAP - Inside Arts - Conference 2020

STEVEN A. HOFFMAN
Executive Director
Centre College's Norton Center for the Arts
The category of classical music
has a bad rap – a misconceived general perception that it is one singular style or genre of music.
The truth is, traditional classical music was originally the popular music of its time. It was filled with experimentation, included elements of folk music, lyrics and storytelling. That really has not changed. Today's "new" classical music incorporates jazz, folk, world, rock, electronics, multi-media and even video gaming. Classical music is so much more than music that is simply pretty or stoic; trying to provide context to the music or musical styles is helpful. Again, similar to any art form, especially when presenting new or newer works, educating the community so that there is context and relevance to them about the music and its content is what I find most helpful. We've seen how this is beneficial with the Classical Connections Committee's past webinars and seminars focused on classical music and its intersection with issues of social justice and diversity. The works are not just pretty songs created from traditional instruments – the stories being told have meaning and personal relevance today.
One of the most pressing questions in the classical music community
CHRIS WILLIAMS
Senior VP Artist Management Concert Artists Guild
The most pressing question in the classical music community right now is building, maintaining and reaching new audiences.
In terms of my advice to the classical music world, I feel that everyone is always trying to make classical music “relatable,” but I think in our fast- paced-high-sensory 2019 world, I'd
right now seems to be the very same question that I've heard my entire career: With such an older audience attending classical music, how do we replace them while building younger audiences? I have not been as concerned about this question
– as relating specifically to classical music – as I had in the past, because
I see that challenge of continuing to build upon audience attendance and engagement in each genre. While
not all art forms have a larger older audience, there are always unique characteristics that attract and sustain arts participants and always needs to build them. It is still very important to plan for and achieve. However, this is likely not an isolated concern limited to the classical music community.
As for whose voices need to be heard today: Music creators
(composers, librettists, etc.) and the music makers (musicians) connected to the works being presented or discussed should be included in public conversation. Why would an artist dedicate so much time to create a piece? What is the backstory? Who or what influenced them, emotionally,
to start particular projects? What
did they learn along the way? How do they think their art makes a difference and to whom? Thinking about popular culture as an example to help with context: This is like asking Lin-Manuel Miranda about the backstory to his creating the hit musical Hamilton, and why he made the artistic choices that ultimately turned the pages of a history book into contemporary and relevant social commentary.
FAVORITE COMPOSER: I've always loved Vivaldi and Paganini for their speed and dynamic energy. Growing up listening to rock music, they always made me think they were the rock and roll composers of their time. I also love Samuel Barber and Aaron Copeland for their lush Americana sounds. Phillip Glass introduced me to the convergence of electronics and minimalism. Maria Schneider and Billy Childs showed me how classical music can be interfused with jazz (or, perhaps, jazz music can be interfused with classical) in a vibrant and beautiful way. These days, the music composed by the Punch Brothers or any of the individual "brothers" speaks to me and my, now, Kentucky roots. The list of favorites and influences can go on and on and change daily. I love my job as a presenter because I am always learning about new music and envisioning how to share that music with others.
rather see classical music marketed for what it is – a complete departure from our everyday 2019 life.
Voices that need to be heard in the classical music world today include: Jessie Montgomery and Caroline Shaw – two modern composers
whose music instantly connects. They create beautiful works of art that, to me, never feel too self-indulgent or abstract, which I find to be the two main problematic qualities of new music today.
46 INSIDE ARTS CONFERENCE 2020
FAVORITE COMPOSER: Each day I have a different favorite. :)