can you say quotas???
Posted on 03/18/2007 8:54:02 AM PDT by MaestroLC
Give us racial harmony
In the 1970s, most orchestras adopted the practice of blind auditions: Candidates play from behind screens [...] In the final round, once they have been winnowed down to three or four, the screens often come down so that the music director and the panel of orchestra members can meet their potential colleagues.
But would a more multihued orchestra also be a more multitalented one? Absolutely, argues Aaron Dworkin, founder of the 10-year-old Michigan-based Sphinx Organization, dedicated to advancing the cause of minorities in classical music. Dworkin argues that a greater variety of musicians would bring more versatile orchestras, able to play a broader range of music. He might be right, but it's a tricky argument.
So what should the music world do? Dworkin believes that orchestras should make diversity a top priority and attack the problem on multiple levels: train and hire staff members of color, start apprenticeship programs for young minority musicians, actively recruit black and Latino musicians and establish long-term relationships with local community organizations.
Then, there's the question of how to hire players. "This is where it gets a little hairy," Dworkin admits. "We should look again at the current standard of screened auditions. I believe that more information about the candidate should be incorporated, in the same way that institutions of higher learning take cultural and racial background into account."
In other words, Dworkin wants to weaken the very tool that orchestras use to guarantee impartiality, making race a factor in an applicant's arsenal of qualities. After all, he argues, if orchestras were true meritocracies, musicians would have to reaudition every year, making it easier to shed those who have stopped practicing or lost their zeal. If tenure can protect incumbents, why can't racial considerations help candidates?
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Any FReeper logicians out there?
Old Ben is certainly no logician but that argument seem really pathetic to me.
Just typical liberal logic, which means it's not logical at all.
can you say quotas???
I'd love to hear an affirmative action orchestra recreate the music on the Autumn Thunder compilation. I bet it would sound like the Little Rascals.
"Aaron Dworkin, founder of the 10-year-old Michigan-based Sphinx Organization, dedicated to advancing the cause of minorities in classical music."
What cause is that? The cause to put more talented non-minority musicians out of work?
1. to introduce more black people to classical music as an alternative to c/rap ?
2. a new liberal social experiment ?
3. an extension of current affirmative action policies?
4. just plain white guilt ?
I suppose I could combine the last three into one.
Diversity argument in music is cacophonous baboonery. Were it otherwise, this aaron dworkin would by now have a world-class orchestra to show for his trouble. The only way a high-level musician could suddenly and seriously deteriorate is an injury interfering with the ability to perform.
Diversity argument in music is cacophonous baboonery. Were it otherwise, this aaron dworkin would by now have a world-class orchestra to show for his trouble. The only way a high-level musician could suddenly and seriously deteriorate is an injury interfering with the ability to perform.
Diversity argument in music is cacophonous baboonery. Were it otherwise, this aaron dworkin would by now have a world-class orchestra to show for his trouble. The only way a high-level musician could suddenly and seriously deteriorate is an injury interfering with the ability to perform.
Nonsense. And any good musician of any color would agree it's nonsense.
What the heck is with Michigan and racial diversity? Is there a deadly cloud of stupidity hanging over the state?
(rolls eyeballs)
Rubbish. People group (race) is not linked to talent/skill/aptitude.
Anyone remember Will Smith's TV show in the 90's "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air"? His character ridicules the violin-playing child in the African-American family as acting "white."
If non-Asian minorities want more group members playing in symphony orchestras, then they should stop humiliating those who are learning to play classical music.
Talent be damned! Diversity diversity diversity!
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