I read an article the other day about the devaluation of music in our society today. The author made the case that with so many avenues to hear, enjoy, obtain, and otherwise consume music for free, it is little wonder why regular people have no "wonder" or appreciation for serious music. They may hear bits and pieces of classical or jazz music in movie scores, video games and cartoons. But they don't really listen to or appreciate the influences or herculean efforts the composers use to write this music or the incredible musicianship and effort required on the part of each member of the orchestra to play it.
Serious musicians who have studied to perfect their artistry over many years can barely make a living doing music. The digital age has changed all of the rules. Consumers assume if they can hear the music over a device, it must be free.
People generally admit that they have favorite music that forms a soundtrack for their lives, but they do not place any value to it. They just assume that it will always be there.
Many school districts have cut music programs along with many other fine art programs from their curriculum. What that does is further the devaluing of music. Fewer people now grow up with any idea of how music is created, or gain an understanding of the effort it takes to learn to play an instrument, sing well, or write a song.
Composers who write music for choirs or instrumentalists or singers basically give their creations away. If they publish, the publisher typically takes more than 50% of the royalties. Then, the consumer might buy the fewest number of copies allowed, because they can easily run off more copies on a copy machine charging their school or church with that cost. They have absolutely no regard for copyright laws.
That is why it is so wonderful when occasionally some choir director will order a true amount of legal copies of a piece of music for her choir. Or a couple of singers will order three copies of a Duet because they realize both singers need a copy plus one for the accompanist. I praise those few honest people. Thank you for being who you are and placing a real value on music and the people who create it!
Serious musicians who have studied to perfect their artistry over many years can barely make a living doing music. The digital age has changed all of the rules. Consumers assume if they can hear the music over a device, it must be free.
People generally admit that they have favorite music that forms a soundtrack for their lives, but they do not place any value to it. They just assume that it will always be there.
Many school districts have cut music programs along with many other fine art programs from their curriculum. What that does is further the devaluing of music. Fewer people now grow up with any idea of how music is created, or gain an understanding of the effort it takes to learn to play an instrument, sing well, or write a song.
Composers who write music for choirs or instrumentalists or singers basically give their creations away. If they publish, the publisher typically takes more than 50% of the royalties. Then, the consumer might buy the fewest number of copies allowed, because they can easily run off more copies on a copy machine charging their school or church with that cost. They have absolutely no regard for copyright laws.
That is why it is so wonderful when occasionally some choir director will order a true amount of legal copies of a piece of music for her choir. Or a couple of singers will order three copies of a Duet because they realize both singers need a copy plus one for the accompanist. I praise those few honest people. Thank you for being who you are and placing a real value on music and the people who create it!
RSS Feed