Boise Philharmonic appeals to students, too

NIK BJURSTROM/THE ARBITER

The Boise Philharmonic Orchestra began its season with “Autumn Romance” at the beginning of the month at the Morrison Center. The performance features music by classical composers Strauss, Liszt and Tchaikovsky, and featured internationally-acclaimed pianist William Wolfram.

Guests came in their best evening-wear with a whirl of fine pressed suits for the gentleman and elegant dresses for the ladies, as social mingling and anticipation for the pending performance dominated conversation. Only one thing was missing from the cheery scene of refreshments and interaction: youth.

The only remnants of the college demographic that lingered were those at the door, taking tickets for the baby boomer generation. Which poses the question: What is it about the genre that turns off college aged youth to the idea of coming to listen to music written by classical musicians? As Tina Kierce, director of marketing and sales for the Boise Philharmonic, said, “Classical musicians were the rock stars of their time.”

As generations pass, affection and appreciation for classical music have become something equivocated to a dwindling past and rapidly occurring present. Music Director of the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra Robert Franz attributed this phenomenon to the idea that, “there is a perception that classical music is for the elitist or someone who is of a higher status.”

This would refer to the socioeconomic status of the audience and the overwhelming generational gap between the work savvy professional middle-aged demographic and that of the Ramen Noodle-eating college student. With ticket prices that may be a bit too hefty for the college student — even with discounted prices for full-time students — what is the defining element that could break down these generational barriers and inspire students to seek to understand the foundations of music?

It begins with the very students who are not taking the time to dishevel a conscious and unconscious ignorance of what classical music really is all about.

“Classical music requires active listening, curiosity and desire to search for the story that is expressed through the music,” Franz said. “The key is for the audience to become a part of the story.”

Music is often referred to as a universal language and it is through the interpretation of this language and effort to explore its meaning that the college student can relate the story being expressed to his or her own life. Whether it be the “modern” music listened to now or what was considered “modern” back when names like Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms defined music, each musician who creates and performs music is telling a story through the creation of a type of musical literature in every symphony or composition.

Music is music, and behind the music is a story that defies the gap between young and old, performer and audience.

“Some of our musicians are recording artists, soloists and international students,” Kierce said.

Be it classical or modern, music is the representation of all walks of life. The goal of the Boise Philharmonic is to express this in its shows while also keeping it fresh, as Kierce described.

“The audience is part of the story,” Franz said.

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Posted by Lance Moore on Oct 14 2010. Filed under Culture, Sub Feature. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.