Classical music has been, and always will be, a key part of society and history.
Music has always been something to be appreciated and shared by society. Since the emergence of symphony performances in the 1700s, classical music has attracted audiences from higher social classes.
It was these same people who attended symphonies fairly regularly, filling theaters across the world.
Prior to symphonies, live music performances were composed of smaller ensembles, such as chamber choirs or orchestras. Regardless of the setting, it was an event that brought people together under one roof, sharing the experience.
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Nowadays, when we think of live music, we think of concerts, and not the symphonic kind.
Our minds drift to concerts put on by artists like Harry Styles, Noah Kahan, or Taylor Swift. These mainstream artists have captured the eyes and ears of the world.
When we think of live performances, we think more about concerts built around sold-out stadiums and less about the intimate theater or auditorium settings where the resonance of the bowed cellos or the clarity of the trumpets really shine.
Classical music has been more or less cast aside as mainstream music soars.
However, classical music is not dying. Not yet, at least.
What’s kept it alive beyond the regular symphony attendees are the performers themselves.
From student musicians in middle school orchestras to professionals performing with the New York Philharmonic, music absolutely ignites a passion within a musician that’s driven further with every arrangement or piece.
So while attendance numbers may be down compared to a hundred years ago, classical music is not dead yet. But that doesn’t mean that classical music is what it used to be.
The point of attending a symphony is to be moved by the music.
It’s a shared human connection and an emotional experience. It’s something much more accessible now that it’s no longer reserved for the higher social classes.
It used to be that you would dress up for a Saturday night on the town, going to dinner and attending a live performance.
While some still hold themselves to that standard, many have since lowered it.
As a musician myself, I’ve noticed that it detracts from the overall experience.
The music may be the same, but the experience has long since changed. It’s abnormal to dress up in your best clothes for a symphony, and with our ever-changing attention spans, it’s not nearly as enjoyable for many.
So no, classical music itself isn’t dying, but the experience is.
I think as musicians and consumers of music, it’s important to attend these live performances and pay attention to every note and every passage.
It’s important to realize and appreciate the opportunities we have now, especially given how accessible they are.
So next time you get the chance, whether it’s seeing the Chicago Philharmonic or the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (for which you can get a free ticket if you’re a Millikin student), take the time to dress up, go to dinner, and make the best out of an evening.
Keep classical music and the experience alive.