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Archive for February, 2013

Feb 28

The Power of Will, The Power of Genius

Rominski photoWe have become so accustomed to characterizing art works as the product of “genius” that we may just overlook other qualities of character needed by their creators. The world of music gives us melodies and textures of sound that have us marveling at their beauty, their cleverness, and their expressiveness. Yet what was required to bring those sounds to life, to bring that impact on us?

In a new article from The Muse Dialogue, Kristine Rominski argues that although genius might be required, it is not the only necessary ingredient to great art. Perhaps not even the most important one. Rominski is a flutist currently in conservatory, and she offers a very personal look at the willpower behind musicianship. Her story considers the distractions of the contemporary age, the demands of consistent practice, and the content of character behind excellence.

For a special insight into the mind of the musician and the demands that they face in the solitude of the practice studio, join us for Kristine Rominski’s “The Power of Will, The Power of Genius” (click here to read full article).

Feb 22

Art Creators: The Anxiety of Millennials

IMG_0697Annabelle Clippinger is an arts professional, both as a creative writer and an arts administrator as the Director of PITT ARTS. Yet she is also the parent of a talented young violinist, a senior in high school who now contemplates entering a conservatory. What are parent and child to do as they face this step? As Clippinger reports from one cellist, “the math” is clear about the odds for finding a position in an orchestra. Yet one has to wonder if that is the only reason one attends conservatory, and the only possible future career path. Conversely, Clippinger has her reservations about fine arts programs that require training in entrepreneurship and arts management — all in response to the anxiety in the age of Millenials. She writes, “The packaging and reselling of conservatory programs matches the anxiety of this generation.”

Join TMD for a continuation of our look at young classical musicians and the challenges facing emerging artists of our time with Annabelle Clippinger’s “Arts Creators: The Anxiety of Millenials” (click to read full article).

Feb 15

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The Classical Musician’s Paradigm Shift

The future attendance that we do not want in our concert hallsTMD continues its series on emerging artists in classical music today with a rethinking of the the problem and the solution. We know that audiences are declining, and so classical music organizations respond with innovative presentations, non-traditional performances, and clever marketing approaches. While well intentioned, such efforts miss the real problem in the opinion of Annie Gordon. They are nice, perhaps, but only “band-aids” to solving the issue of declining audiences.

Gordon argues that the very mindset of classical musicians must change first before any substantial change is possible with audience trends. “As musicians, we are preventing our own art from flourishing because we do not value with equal intensity our roles as music educators and mentors,” Gordon argues.

Join us for a consideration of how one defines the role of “musician” in this article from The Muse Dialogue, “The Classical Musician’s Paradigm Shift” (click to read full article).

Feb 11

Seeking the Love of Music That I Once Felt

depressed-artist1Erin Yanacek fell deeply in love with music at the age of 12, and that love evolved into the yearning to make a career of it. Now in her twenties, with many accomplishments and success in conservatory training already achieved, she finds herself painfully separated from that initial love.

What happens when an artist, initially motivated by love, faces the prospect of alienation from their art because of the demands of the profession? When an artist is so immersed in their training that the demands of technique eclipse the joy of art making? The problem is not new, but it is a particularly challenging one for young classical musicians, who have demanding practice schedules and daunting prospects regarding available positions.

Yanacek is at such a point and writes, “I play the trumpet for a living and long to be furiously in love with this art form. Why does this awful feeling plague me?” She shares her powerful story in this offering from The Muse Dialogue, “Seeking the Love of Music That I Once Felt.” (click to read full article)

Feb 4

On Politics and Art, an update

We are glad to share the news that The Muse Dialogue article “On Politics and Art” will soon appear in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. We are grateful to The Post-Gazette for sharing this piece and for helping to promote discussion on the intersection of politics and art.

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