Classical music reaches out to younger audience
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.