Classical music reaches out to younger audience<\/p>\n
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Avip Priatna, conductor of the Jakarta Chamber Orchestra, sat
\nonstage surrounded by children after their \"Classics for Young
\nPeople\" concert held recently at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The children all asked for his autograph on copies of the
\nconcert program.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, other children ran around the stage, banging the
\ndrum, trying out the violin, and asking incessant questions to
\noboists.<\/p>\n
\"Please sign it 'To Angga',\" said a young boy sheepishly,
\nhanding Avip the program.<\/p>\n
\"Ok... To Angga, thank you for coming to the concert,\" Avip
\nsaid as he signed.<\/p>\n
The boy's mother then whispered something in her son's ear.<\/p>\n
\"Oh, yes, I want to ask you something. What should I do to
\nbecome a good musician?\" asked the boy.<\/p>\n
This scenario happens every time Avip and the Jakarta Chamber
\nOrchestra hold a classical music concert for young audiences.
\nAlthough they do not always play to a full house, the orchestra's
\nyoung audience continues to grow in number.<\/p>\n
Indeed, classical music is gradually winning the hearts of the
\nyoung. Going to a classical concert is now just as cool as going
\nto some boy-band concert. Their music idols now include J.S.
\nBach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn, apart from teen
\nidol Ronan Keating or pop group Westlife.<\/p>\n
\"It's great. Classical music is wonderful and it's not boring.
\nI want to play in a concert someday,\" said ten-year-old Irene
\nLumbantoruan, who attended the concert.<\/p>\n
Yayuk J. Rahardjo, director and founder of the recently
\nestablished National Youth Orchestra Indonesia, confirmed such
\nenthusiasm, saying that \"youngsters' enthusiasm in classical
\nmusic has started to gain ground. It is a really positive
\ndevelopment.\"<\/p>\n
The enthusiasm, Yayuk added, would not have been apparent five
\nyears ago.<\/p>\n
She attributed the growing enthusiasm to the effort of music
\ninstitutions to introduce classical music to the younger
\ngeneration.<\/p>\n
\"Introducing classical music to the young is a way to
\ncultivate both the audience and musicians,\" she told The Jakarta
\nPost in a telephone interview.<\/p>\n
Avip Priatna shares Yayuk's opinion, saying that it also
\nprovides valuable feedback to the musicians.<\/p>\n
\"Cultivating younger audiences can help shed the image that
\nclassical music is boring and not fun. The more they like it and
\nthe better they know the music, it is easier for the musicians to
\nplay any repertoire,\" Avip explained.<\/p>\n
Yayuk pointed out the important role peer groups play in the
\ntrend.<\/p>\n
\"At first, they were only coming to see their friends perform,
\nbut then, slowly, they developed a liking for the music,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
It is this factor that orchestras rely on to lure younger
\naudiences. The youth orchestra, for example, presented 15-year-
\nold pianist Inge Melania Buniardi in its premiere concert in
\nFebruary, while the Jakarta Chamber Orchestra featured 8-year-old
\npianist Sarah Nakamura and starlet Sherina in its latest concert.<\/p>\n
\"Performances by young artists will eventually inspire the
\nyounger audience,\" Avip said.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Chamber Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra
\nIndonesia are actively promoting classical music concerts for
\nyoung people.<\/p>\n
Parental influence is another factor that helps encourage the
\ngrowing enthusiasm for classical music.<\/p>\n
Many parents are aware of the benefits of introducing music,
\nparticularly classical music, to young children, as many
\npublications and research have revealed the positive effect of
\nmusic on children's psychology and mental development.<\/p>\n
Shahnaz Ali, 30, mother to Rabiah, 7, and Zara, 4, reflected
\non the back-to-classical-music spirit.<\/p>\n
\"I read in a magazine that classical music is good for
\nchildren's logical thinking,\" Shahnaz told the Post.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not trying to turn them into musicians, I'm just trying
\nto make them appreciate music,\" she added. Her two daughters are
\nnow taking classical piano lessons.<\/p>\n
However, Yayuk advised that parents should be selective in
\nintroducing classical music to their children.<\/p>\n
\"Parents are undoubtedly significant, but they must also be
\ncareful in choosing the musical pieces, as not all classical
\nmusic have a positive impact on a child's development,\" she
\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Playing classical music for the young listener is not an easy
\ntask either, even for professional orchestras like the Jakarta
\nChamber Orchestra. The greatest challenge is to make them remain
\nin their seats during the concert.<\/p>\n
\"Usually, we choose songs that are shorter in length and do
\nnot involve too many musical instruments. But we always play a
\nfull repertoire,\" Avip explained.<\/p>\n
In each concert for young people, the chamber orchestra JCO
\nalways maintains a relaxed ambience, with orchestra members and
\nguest performers sporting casual dress.<\/p>\n
After the concert, the audience is more than free to come
\nonstage to talk with the musicians and the conductor.<\/p>\n
Yayuk added that classical music programs for the young should
\nbe continuing, along with progress from developing simple
\nrepertoires to more advanced one.<\/p>\n
The most important thing, however, concerts should be designed
\nto teach children that learning about classical music is fun.<\/p>\n
\"It is important not to make them feel through it that they
\nhave been forced to learn it. Otherwise, it will dampen their
\nenthusiasm,\" Yayuk remarked.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/classical-music-reaches-out-to-younger-audience-1447893297",
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