Our future

November 6, 2012 at 2:23 AM

Tomorrow is a big day. It's time to take stock of what is important to music and musicians. It has been clear as we watch orchestras fail, cut back seasons and reduce salaries that musicians have been hurting. School districts are cutting back on "frills". Families reexamine the cost of instruments and lessons As deficits mount no one can have any illusions about government becoming a significant source of funding for music. It must come from philanthropy and from audience ticket sales--both discretionary in tough times. Families find money for music lessons and instruments when they have steady employment. Schools have a tax base to support a whole education when property values are rising and pension expenses are reasonable.

Our hope is a robust economy with deficits under control and incentives to all to work and earn, each according to his/her ability and aspirations. It's time to get back on track for economic growth. It's not only our best shot, it's our only shot.

From Corwin Slack
Posted on November 7, 2012 at 6:31 AM

My prediction. More orchestras will be reducing seasons, cutting wages or folding altogether. Schools will be cutting back arts related programs. Unemployment will continue at high levels and families, uncertain of job stability, will be cutting back on music lessons. The birth rate in the US is falling, more and more children are born to and raised by single parents who can barely feed the kids let alone provide music lessons Times are bleak for music and I expect them to get bleaker.

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Our future

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