Some days, there is a passing moment that rocks my world. I had one yesterday afternoon at a middle school in one of the city most crime- and gang-riddled neighbourhoods, sitting with two-dozen sixth-graders who had come to join a beginner violin ensemble.
The teacher asked the kids -- all of whom are from south- or east-Asian, African or Caribbean ancestry -- to put up their hands if they'd heard of Mozart. All but four or five hands shot up.
The teacher asked the 11-year-olds if anyone knew who the Beatles are. No hands went up, but I did hear a little girl's voice say, "Hey Jude?"
I decided there, and then, that I would stop worrying about the future of Western classical music.
Instead, I'm going to celebrate all those people who are doing everything they can to pass along the fire of their musical passions to eager young ears and eyes.
Wow! That's great. Hopefully it's a sign that youth can be educated in the essentials of classical music and should be to have a well-rounded education.
Posted by: Amanda | 11/12/2009 at 09:38 PM