What if…
There was an interactive system in place – incorporating a campaign of awareness for the artists and the arts – when people donate. If patrons became a part of the artistic process, so that music making, music education and funding are inexorably linked.
This system connects patrons with those who have the ideas, energy and innovative capacity to change the entire musical setup in the future. This shift in the perception of investment would focus on supporting the struggling new generation of artists who are often forced to spend the majority of their time working non-artistic jobs or begging for money in order to stay afloat.
The taxes we pay become indicative of the fact that culture defines evolution in a society. Instead of being funneled into archaic, elitist classical educational institutions or standard (and increasingly troubled) orchestras, it was invested into a system of free musical education for every single person.
We celebrate the connections between music creation, performance and education. If every artist acknowledged their responsibility of educating and generating the future audiences and donors, demonstrating that art is an essential part of society rather than an exclusive luxury. Artistic support is necessary and relevant.
Support is shaped by the need to provide the artist with the freedom they require in order to create. A system of donation that includes more than money - resources, spaces, supplies and facilities to enable the joining of artistic forces and the creation of all manner of projects in a more self-sustainable environment; less reliant on the biased and highly conditional government funding.
A revolution. A Classical Revolution.
I believe this is possible yes. But the road is long and the hills, valleys, rivers and mountains we must cross to achieve the goal is a lifetime. It requires unheralded passion, dedication, commitment and devotion to the cause…
I the words of Daniel Sumegi, the Australian Bass Baritone:
‘‘You have to be extremely passionate about it, you have to want to do it, and do anything required to do it, without excuses or falling back. If you are not prepared to do that, don’t bother. It’s a life of sacrifice, no stability, no (ordinary) friends, a life on the road, and a life not necessarily of loneliness but of being alone. If you are not prepared for that, you should probably just sing for pleasure.’’
He was of course referring to being an opera singer, but it’s the same for what we are doing and you are talking about, above…
Ask Maestro Abreu about his life when you meet him. But look he did!
Best always,
Chris