Classical music reaches out to younger audience

Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Avip Priatna, conductor of the Jakarta Chamber Orchestra, sat onstage surrounded by children after their "Classics for Young People" concert held recently at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

The children all asked for his autograph on copies of the concert program.

Meanwhile, other children ran around the stage, banging the drum, trying out the violin, and asking incessant questions to oboists.

"Please sign it 'To Angga'," said a young boy sheepishly, handing Avip the program.

"Ok... To Angga, thank you for coming to the concert," Avip said as he signed.

The boy's mother then whispered something in her son's ear.

"Oh, yes, I want to ask you something. What should I do to become a good musician?" asked the boy.

This scenario happens every time Avip and the Jakarta Chamber Orchestra hold a classical music concert for young audiences. Although they do not always play to a full house, the orchestra's young audience continues to grow in number.

Indeed, classical music is gradually winning the hearts of the young. Going to a classical concert is now just as cool as going to some boy-band concert. Their music idols now include J.S. Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn, apart from teen idol Ronan Keating or pop group Westlife.

"It's great. Classical music is wonderful and it's not boring. I want to play in a concert someday," said ten-year-old Irene Lumbantoruan, who attended the concert.

Yayuk J. Rahardjo, director and founder of the recently established National Youth Orchestra Indonesia, confirmed such enthusiasm, saying that "youngsters' enthusiasm in classical music has started to gain ground. It is a really positive development."

The enthusiasm, Yayuk added, would not have been apparent five years ago.

She attributed the growing enthusiasm to the effort of music institutions to introduce classical music to the younger generation.

"Introducing classical music to the young is a way to cultivate both the audience and musicians," she told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview.

Avip Priatna shares Yayuk's opinion, saying that it also provides valuable feedback to the musicians.

"Cultivating younger audiences can help shed the image that classical music is boring and not fun. The more they like it and the better they know the music, it is easier for the musicians to play any repertoire," Avip explained.

Yayuk pointed out the important role peer groups play in the trend.

"At first, they were only coming to see their friends perform, but then, slowly, they developed a liking for the music," she said.

It is this factor that orchestras rely on to lure younger audiences. The youth orchestra, for example, presented 15-year- old pianist Inge Melania Buniardi in its premiere concert in February, while the Jakarta Chamber Orchestra featured 8-year-old pianist Sarah Nakamura and starlet Sherina in its latest concert.

"Performances by young artists will eventually inspire the younger audience," Avip said.

The Jakarta Chamber Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra Indonesia are actively promoting classical music concerts for young people.

Parental influence is another factor that helps encourage the growing enthusiasm for classical music.

Many parents are aware of the benefits of introducing music, particularly classical music, to young children, as many publications and research have revealed the positive effect of music on children's psychology and mental development.

Shahnaz Ali, 30, mother to Rabiah, 7, and Zara, 4, reflected on the back-to-classical-music spirit.

"I read in a magazine that classical music is good for children's logical thinking," Shahnaz told the Post.

"I'm not trying to turn them into musicians, I'm just trying to make them appreciate music," she added. Her two daughters are now taking classical piano lessons.

However, Yayuk advised that parents should be selective in introducing classical music to their children.

"Parents are undoubtedly significant, but they must also be careful in choosing the musical pieces, as not all classical music have a positive impact on a child's development," she explained.

Playing classical music for the young listener is not an easy task either, even for professional orchestras like the Jakarta Chamber Orchestra. The greatest challenge is to make them remain in their seats during the concert.

"Usually, we choose songs that are shorter in length and do not involve too many musical instruments. But we always play a full repertoire," Avip explained.

In each concert for young people, the chamber orchestra JCO always maintains a relaxed ambience, with orchestra members and guest performers sporting casual dress.

After the concert, the audience is more than free to come onstage to talk with the musicians and the conductor.

Yayuk added that classical music programs for the young should be continuing, along with progress from developing simple repertoires to more advanced one.

The most important thing, however, concerts should be designed to teach children that learning about classical music is fun.

"It is important not to make them feel through it that they have been forced to learn it. Otherwise, it will dampen their enthusiasm," Yayuk remarked.