This post explores musicians throwing shade at other musicians because they feel an opportunity is below them (e.g. too “low” in prestige). This is not a single scenario, but a compilation, a trend from personal and overheard conversations, in which two or more “in-their-minds-established musicians” are talking about another musician playing concerts in venues that lack prestige — nursing homes, community libraries, underserved neighborhoods, etc. For example, “Well that’s nice, but it says all you need to know about Musician X.”
Let’s unpack this, allowing that it says more about the gossipers than the gossipee.
First, the idea that music has value only when occurring in fancy concert halls. Although this is admittedly where I make my living, it is this very concept that has gotten classical music in hot water over the last 30 years (at least), and we need to step out of this scalding bath, towel off, pop the blisters, and open our eyes. The idea that a performance in a concert hall, and, by inference, the audiences themselves, are ranked in order of importance needs to be reexamined. Music is music.
That leads to a sub-point that somehow the audiences are less important in places without fancy lobbies and loge seating. This is utter nonsense. You can move someone at age 5 or age 95. It matters not where they sit.
Another assumption, that a musician’s worth is determined by the position they hold, their recording contracts, teaching posts, orchestra chairs, etc. must also be questioned, and I agree that we, the musicians, are in many ways responsible for perpetuating this myth. (I’ve fallen into this pit of mind-suck more than once, myself). I’m not saying that having a post isn’t important (it is), but it is a myth that happiness and/or worthiness is defined by a title, position, or the chandelier in the foyer. Sure, a regular paycheck is nice. But art is no less valuable if you lack an office or 401k plan.
Music is music. Period. If someone is cobbling together a career by adding various things to their patchwork quilt, so be it. I know people who play prison concerts, hospital recitals, park concerts, etc. Why are these still considered “non-traditional?” Playing music for other humans is traditional, and has been for millennia. It’s time we get back to that basic concept.
It is no less (or more) noble to perform from either side of this equation. So Bravo to Carnegie Hall and Bravo to the Upper Pine Valley Retirement Center Community Concert Series. You get a standing ovation at both, at least from the heart.
Copyright, 2024, Robert Baldwin
Image source: https://kin-keepers.com/
Before the Downbeat 