The world’s biggest classical music meeting, Classical:NEXT, opened its doors in Rotterdam this week for it’s annual gathering of leaders, thinkers, and industry innovators.
Among the ideas shared thus-far about the value of classical music and how it connects to listeners, one stopped me dead in my tracks:
“Classical music is a human right.”
This bold declaration by Afa Dworkin (President of Sphinx Organization) was delivered in the conference’s opening remarks. Dworkin was joined by double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku in a similarly powerful sentiment: “There is absolutely no reason why people of all backgrounds cannot enjoy the depth, complexity and beauty of classical music.” Even the Mayor of Rotterdam— himself a convert to enjoying classical music — shared personal remarks on music’s power to unite communities and build local pride.
For me, Dworkin’s quote is potent in it’s simplicity. She didn’t say that access to classical music is a human right, which is what many advocates for classical music vouch support for.
Rather, her quote implies that people of all backgrounds can unite together to perform classical music, listen to it, create it, share it, and claim it as their own. In this way, classical music is liberated from the concert hall, expanded beyond school educational programs, defies recordings and streaming; and is given a life of its own.
As an industry, we too rarely think of classical music in this vein. It’s easy to become distracted by the many crises of resources, a decaying audience, and so much more. However, this shift in thinking would truly revolutionize classical music in our communities.
Just imagine it: treating classical music as a human right changes the conversation on government support and corporate giving. No longer would we debate the value of the U.S. Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, or the need for buy-in from taxpayers to retain such institutions. Imagine rejuvenating individual giving, especially within the millennial generation — who have surpassed Baby Boomers as the largest generation in the United States, but are notoriously less philanthropic than any prior generation. A shift in how we treat classical music could inspire innovations that revolutionize the culture of arts philanthropy.
Dworkin’s quote also means we still have a lot of work to do in how we connect classical music with the world around us. For instance, the stage should reflect the communities they serve; this means thinking beyond traditional repertoire, and empowering the diversity of musicians. It also means that any cuts to music education in schools must be met with supplemental arts education from outside organizations that’s equitable and far-extending. Instruments need to be placed into the hands of every child, along with the resources to maintain and learn that instrument over a lifetime.
Classical music is a human right. And as community members, organizers, supporters, and listeners, we’re responsible for ensuring that right is available to all.