The Survival of Classical Music in the United States

 For lovers of classical music, such as myself, the lengthy article I have linked to below is well worth reading. It is an in-depth analysis of what is occurring with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The situation with the BSO is not unique, in that other orchestras are facing similar difficulties/dilemmas.

Although most of my Facebook posts in recent years have focused on political matters, in response to my disgust with Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, my background and heart are tied closely to classical music. Having served in both performing and administrative capacities with ensembles, it is disheartening to witness what is currently occurring, more so in the United States than Europe.

The crisis with the Boston Symphony Orchestra is multi-layered, which is why reading the lengthy article I provided is worthwhile. It is safe to say that classical music is currently safe in Europe, but the scenario is different in the U.S. Orchestra boards and management are focused on the bottom line, which is money. In recent years, pops concerts have been drawing more crowds than classical concerts, with few exceptions. So, we are beginning to see orchestras trim their classical offerings and expand their pops offerings. There have been repercussions for this, such as the occasional parting of the ways with conductors and orchestras, such as what just happened in Boston.

My hope is that music educators in U.S. elementary and high schools will see the value in teaching the history of classical music, in addition to their primary role of leading ensembles and instruction in singing and playing instruments. If the elements of musicology are not taught in the early formation of musicians, classical music performances will continue to face challenges. This is fully understood in Europe. I also hope that U.S. orchestras will offer some of their classical concerts on streaming platforms, such as Carnegie Hall Plus, medici.tv, and Stingray Classica. I watch these channels frequently, and the vast majority of performances are by European orchestras.

This has been a long post. However, I have been following what is occurring with symphony orchestras in Boston and elsewhere in the U.S. with concern. Classical music is my primary passion, and I hope in some way to help promote it during my remaining years.

https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2026/07/16/bso-symphony-hall-crisis-hostetter-chad-smith-nelsons/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTMVANleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFxZjZkaUdMZmNKOXRacXgyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqgUYIAAXmGPFwAPsrtENeSD5jDPaw1lwLSgm4_lUt8bR-blbigFqpsttKTM_aem_nwJc8VfnfYmv4BQF-tkF-w

A Reflection On Our Nation's 250th Birthday

 Speaker Mike Johnson sent House members home early for the July 4th recess. They are not scheduled to return to Washington until July 13th. His reason for sending members home early? He knew there would not be enough votes for Donald Trump's Save America Act. So, instead of enduring a defeat and receiving a rebuke from Trump, Johnson adjourned yesterday's session.

It is a sorry state of affairs when we consider that the House has abdicated its duties and the so-called Great American State Fair is essentially void of crowds. I blame both the Trump Administration and the Republican Party for our current pathetic situation.

I was a Republican back in the 70's and 80's. The party was very different back then. I am not saying the present Democratic Party is perfect by any means. Democrats need to get their act together, which means stopping all the infighting between moderates and progressives within the party. Sadly, the Republican Party I was once part of is now filled with Trump ass-lickers. While there are some recent defectors from the Trump cult, Democrats will nevertheless have to work hard to achieve victories in the upcoming midterms and the 2028 presidential election.

Taxpayers are providing a lot of money for a dysfunctional Congress. We deserve better. Members of both parties need to engage in some serious reflection on the occasion of our nation's 250th birthday. It is a time to look at our past, present and future. Each elected representative should be asking a simple but important question: "How can we become better as a society?"