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Well... In high school, one field I strongly considered was teaching music. I had a music scholarship in college. Play several instruments. Married to a woman whose whole family consists of professional musicians and artists. Both my sons have been professional musicians, and one still is. Daughter that has been all-state, all-city, honors orchestra, etc.
Basically, yeah, you could say I know just a little bit about music.
And I'll say this about your comments: You're dead wrong about it having nothing to do with race. Period.
It has nothing to do with race, it has everything to do with exposure.
Race doesn't react to being exposed to classical music, a person reacts to being exposed to classical music.
As someone who happens to be black, I can say with confidence that there is nothing about my "race" that would ever have precluded me from falling in love with classical music as a teenager. Fortunately I had the chance to attend a school for performing and visual arts, where my appreciation for music found a great deal of nourishment and support.
I think that to make the assumption that ones Race, has any bearing on a persons appreciation of music, is ridicules. I have heard to many fine Musicians of all Races to believe other wise. . As they say back home, "that dog just won't hunt"
Well... In high school, one field I strongly considered was teaching music. I had a music scholarship in college. Play several instruments. Married to a woman whose whole family consists of professional musicians and artists. Both my sons have been professional musicians, and one still is. Daughter that has been all-state, all-city, honors orchestra, etc.
Basically, yeah, you could say I know just a little bit about music.
And I'll say this about your comments: You're dead wrong about it having nothing to do with race. Period.
My father sang opera and as a girl I would often accompany him to his Saturday morning vocal coach (he had a baritone bass range).
I wasn't allowed to listen to popular music growing up and the only time I did was when my cousin would baby sit me then I got some Elton John and David Bowie. My father made sure I listened to opera and classical music, or maybe Frank Sinatra.
I had piano lessons from age 3. Music theory for 5 years starting at age 8. Vocal lessons beginning at age 7. I joined my school orchestra (because our school system could afford it we had instruments) in elementary school. I wanted to play the cello, but they had 7 cellists and I was tall so I was persuaded to take up the bass.
I played bass from the 5th grade through 12th. Played and earned medals and placed in many state competitions - in quintet (bass solos are brutal). Joined my college orchestra and auditioned with several orchestras (in the 1980's) and came close but no cigar.
If any black person was to join an orchestra it should have been me.
I think you all need to rethink your idea of what the "average" black person has an interest in because as I read these comments on this board it's obvious to me that you're all guessing. My situation is probably not typical for most black people but I can't say that it is more typical of white, or asian, or latinos for that matter either.
I will say that to deny that there are other blacks like me would be wrong. And it is flat out wrong to attempt to break down an interest in classical music by race. There are many things in the world that can't be put into a neat little box by race and this is one of them.
Listening to classical music is an acquired taste for MANY people. It doesn't matter if you're black, white or orange. You have to be exposed to it early and often to understand the nuances of classical music. And to fully appreciate classical music you have to study it.
Do yourselves a favor and read the article I've attached.
I think what actually scares some people, is the fact that we are all much more alike, than they may feel comfortable admitting. Music in and of itself, has a unifying quality. Music is not only color blind, it is blind. It's music.
Yeah, I'd say that there's too much racism in the United States. I say that because any racism is too much.
Of course, it's also true that on one level racism is an individual thing. Governments cannot force individuals to not be racists.
Also, I honestly don't know if the United States has more or less racism than other countries. I suspect less, because there are so many various peoples of different races, cultures and backgrounds here.
This comment is a direct contradiction of the thread you have made here sir...
I think some degree of racism is to be expected. Some people just don't like other people. Some people don't like Texans, as hard as that is to believe.
Let's not forget Dean Dixon. Music: Negro Conductor - TIME
He made most of his career in Europe, because he did not fit the role in the U.S. Google him.
This comment is a direct contradiction of the thread you have made here sir...
Care to explain?
I might, if I had any idea what you're claiming I contradicted.
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Dean Dixon
