1. classical music is beautiful and sadly has been losing popular appeal, to the likes of Beyonce and Lady Gaga.
2. I agree that tax payers shouldn’t bear the burden of city orchestras
3. disagree that classical entertainment is expensive when comparing entertainment venues... ever try getting a ticket to see beyonce or gaga? what about NFL tickets, those cost more than a trip to the symphony.
4. musicians get paid squat...and often are very good at economics ( they teach private lessons to snotty nosed kids to supplement other symphony/teaching jobs...ie they run small businesses and must deal with all the headaches that that comes with
classical music makes life a little more beautiful to enjoy, yes I’m sure funds are mismanaged by “executive boards’ run by people who can’t find middle C on a piano...but lets not call them all a bunch of elitist over priced snobs who have nothing meaningful to contribute, unless of course your prefer the musical prowess of say eminem.
“I agree that tax payers shouldn’t bear the burden of city orchestras”
Good. We agree on something. Well maybe, let’s see.
“disagree that classical entertainment is expensive when comparing entertainment venues... ever try getting a ticket to see beyonce or gaga? what about NFL tickets, those cost more than a trip to the symphony.”
My point about the high cost of going to a live classical music venue is not the cost alone but the fact that not one I know of runs without public taxpayers’ assistance. I can’t stand lady Gaga, but she’s not asking for a taxpayer handout.
“musicians get paid squat”
Not true.
[From related article] “Musician costs account for 48 percent of the Orchestra’s total costs. In 2011, Minnesota Orchestra musicians received an average annual salary of $135,000, plus $35,000 worth of benefits including a defined benefit pension plan and comprehensive medical plan. They receive a minimum of 10 weeks paid vacation each year and up to 26 weeks of paid sick leave per year.”
That’s not “squat”.
When they get paid the median wage of the taxpayers who are subsidizing their jobs, then you might get to say they earn “squat”.
“but lets not call them all a bunch of elitist over priced snobs who have nothing meaningful to contribute, unless of course your prefer the musical prowess of say eminem.”
Let’s be clear: I, personally love classical music, including opera. And, let’s be additionally clear, I too think classical music forms continue to make meaningful contribution to music and western culture. HOWEVER other forms of music are also making meaningful contributions to western music and culture; BUT, unlike the elite snobs involved in producing live classical music, and the elite snobs who think we should be subsidizing it, most other forms of western music ARE NOT asking that their businesses and jobs be subsidized by the taxpayers. And yes it does take a “superior than thou” attitude to be among those who think THEY DESERVE to be subsidized by our taxes. They don’t. My charge as to their elite and snobbish attitude is confirmed by their expectations of the taxpayers.
As someone indirectly involved in classical music (wife is an orchestral musician) I complete agree with you that it is nonsense that most of the musicians and management/boards are “elitists” snobs.
Most work way too hard for far too little because they are passionate about what they do, however rarely if ever would I call any that I have met snobs.
As to taxpayers and city orchestras, I think personally that’s up to the City to decide. If the city decides supporting it is a priority, they can do so as they like much like they do any other civic operation.
I think most people who espouse the snobbishness watch far too much TV and like characature rather than getting to know reality.
Those that call it overpriced, I think honestly don’t have an idea of the price. Yes you can spend 3 figures per ticket or more to see a world class symphony, but most have tickets available that are no more expensive that most other forms of entertainment available... let alone one that is live with over 60 musicians working together. My city which does have a permanent orchestra has tickets starting at $20 a ticket.. hardly breaking the bank.
As to pay, most classical musicians I know work WAY too hard for their money, those that are fortunate enough to be permanently salaried with a full time orchestra are very few and very far between. Most make Union minimals (if that, not all work is Union and thats a whole other can of worms) if they can even manage to get on staff for a part time orchestra at all. Most I now cobble together their income together from working pay for play with multiple smaller and secondary orchestras combined and may or may not teach.. usually charging no more than $20-25 an hour if that and driving all over gods creation to do so and most gross nominal amounts before they deduct all their expenses for doing so. Most have some other full time job to pay their bills and play on the side because they cannot scrape enough together to pay their living expenses as a classical musician.
Yes, there is no doubt that the best of the best can make a living being a classical musician with an orchestra, but the vast majority work way harder than I would for the pay they get.
As to the Union argument, I’ve seen non union work for musicians and seen them screwed over regularly, so I don’t bash the musicians union.
I will bash many non trade unions, but this isn’t one I will bash as the problem.