Friday 12 October 2012

Modern musician blog 2

Insights and experiences from musicians and people from the classical music industry about how it really is to be a "Modern Musician".

Blog 2 from Dorothy, classical music event organiser, music teacher and ex artist management:
 
Musicians should look at the consequences of the economics of today's world confidently and react positively to this.  It is important to get a clear understanding of your strengths and qualities and assess how you are currently positioned in your home territory as well as internationally.  It is fascinating to work out whether you are in a good position due to the variety of avenues available at this present time.  In classical music, the routes to one's visibility has expanded at an unprecedented rate in the last years.  Musicians continue to give concerts and recordings at the very highest quality and with the expansion of the digital era, we are able to push the boundaries of creativity to whole new level.  

The music scene outside of classical music has been developing many digital and internet avenues for a long time, sometimes with huge successes and other times not so, alongside with the technology which is constantly improving.  Classical music can take the best from this learning and use it to their advantage.  For example, we are now seeing a huge growth in the downloading of classical music and more recently, the streaming of classical concerts.  I find this wonderful as you can make contact with a whole new audience, a "live from your living room" experience.  This experience gives the viewer a feeling of personal contact to the soloists, conductors and orchestras and a sense of how they coorperate and work.  Taking the streaming one side step, I am inspired by the number of students and young musicians who wish to stream their weekly lessons, masterclasses, concerts and also their fruitful discussions on where they feel the future of classical music will be.  There's a great new discussion panel which is streamed (then downloaded onto YouTube) called the "Young Artists Forum" which brings together students, professional musicians, conductors, agents and orchestral managers.  There are no boundaries in this forum and any topic is warmly welcome.  

The key to education and learning is to share.  The traditional forms of education are taken through classroom lessons, lectures, music masterclasses, concerts and so forth.  To achieve the present and future trends of education and to help build the next generation of classical music audiences, I strongly believe you have to share your educational moments using all the present online and technology and in doing so, you are giving something to someone that may not have the resources to experience this directly.  

My view is that we have so many tools at our disposal at the present moment.  Work out your goals.  Make something happen.  Just do it.

Modern musician blog 1

Insights and experiences from musicians and people from the classical music industry about how it really is to be a "Modern Musician".

Blog 1 from Adam, an Australian student and orchestra musician working and studying in Europe:


The life of a so-called classical musician in 2012 has evolved into something quite different from what it was 20 years ago, spurred on by the rapid advances in technology which have revolutionized the way music is listened to.

For better or for worse, the the recording industry in its traditional guise is in sharp decline, and the role of classical music in modern society has been called repeatedly into question. Orchestras in many parts of the world are struggling to maintain their audience base, with some having to close shop, making the career prospects for young musicians seem less certain. Inevitably, the realities of the changing industry have had their effect on the nature of a young musician's development and students are now often faced with certain necessities.

Education - Whereas 20 years ago, a musician could potentially make a career based on playing ability alone, it seems that most aspiring musicians are now obliged to take a minimum of 6 years of tertiary study incl. a Master's degree just to be considered eligible for most of the career development opportunities on offer. To me, this has a range of effects. It's never in doubt that a reputable musical institution is the best place for a young musician to get the training they need. And since a place in a school usually guarantees an entry visa, it creates all kinds of opportunities for foreign students, who otherwise might not have the chance to live abroad.

On the other hand, the fact that qualifications are now a virtual necessity seems a pity, since the focus has shifted away from playing ability and personality and instead centers on fulfilled requirements, which unfortunately tend to carry more weight on a student's CV.



Ynight classical in club 25.10.2012

The first Ynight - Classical in Club Live stream webcast

Classical music live mixed with electronic interpretations. With visuals by Stephen Malinowski, animations for Bjoerk's Biophilia app.

featuring:

Stephen Malinowski, Piano/Visuals

Yband Zurich
Michael Wendeberg, Piano
Etienne Abelin, Violin
Corinne Chapelle, Violin
Hugo Bollschweiler, Viola
Andreas Fleck, Cello

The Dean Soniks DJs (Hula Honeys)

Bildstörung VJs & Aaawesome Colors
Joel de Giovanni, Jonas Mettler

Moderation
Nadja Schnetzler, Daniel Frei



Live streaming by Ustream