After 18 years of working in the field of classical music, now as one of the founders of the Modern London Orchestra, I find myself thinking about how the doors to this amazing world have been closed to working artists. Over the years, my anger has gradually increased. While many institutions and organizations talk about diversity and inclusion, the reality is that these promises have remained just on paper.
Tough Roads for Working Artists
As a child from a working-class family, I too could easily play an instrument. At that time, public schools provided facilities for learning instruments, and I could take classes at a low cost and participate in youth orchestras. But today, this path has become significantly more difficult.
Advertisements and slogans about diversity in music are actually a cover for deeper issues that exist in the background. Artists coming from low-income families cannot easily compete with the heavy costs of education, instruments, and necessary equipment. This lack of access to resources causes new and diverse voices to fade away, leaving the world of music limited to a specific class.
Is Music for the Wealthy?
This bitter reality poses a major problem not only for artists but also for audiences. If only a few individuals can participate in the world of music, then what will happen to innovation and diversity in this art? Will classical music become an exclusive domain accessible only to the wealthy?
Ultimately, we must think about these questions and continue to strive for a fairer and more accessible system in the world of music. It is time to hear the voices of working artists and give them an opportunity to express themselves.
