Where do we go from here? - recruiting young music students

American Music Teacher, June-July, 2002 by Brian Chung

This evening, we're going to think about our place within today's culture. We will examine the role of music making as it exists within a context of steady and inevitable change. And, in the end, we will consider some possible answers to the question, "Where do we go from here?"

Let me say in advance that most of the thoughts I will be offering to you tonight all involve the desperate need for more music makers. In other talks, I've made reference to the thousands of people who, each day, are choosing to do something else besides play music. Over the years, we have continued to lose them--to sports, computers and all manner of fun alternatives. Collectively, I've called these people "the lost millions." You know they're out there. You see them every day ... just not in your studio.

Most people in the profession have agreed that getting these lost millions "back into our world" will require some significant changes on our part. But can those changes really happen? Is there a chasm between "talking about change" and really "producing change"? As I look at our situation, there is something not quite right--a possible "disconnect" that could be holding us back.

On one hand, we agree that we must have more music makers. But, on the other hand, most of you have a full schedule of students, plus a waiting list. Do you see the paradox? We need more students, but we've got too many! We definitely need change--but why change when everything appears to be going so well? It's like telling someone with a full stomach and fully stocked refrigerator that he needs to go out right this minute and buy more food.

Where's the Motivation?

Could it be that part of us keeps talking about the need for change; but deep in our hearts, we really don't see the need or the urgency for it? Only you can answer that. But in case it's true, I thought I should begin with some compelling reasons why embracing change to create more music makers is so important to our future.

The Lost Millions are Real

First of all, it is important to recognize that we really are losing people. Statistics show that there are fewer and fewer people under the age of 35 playing music. And I'm certain you have all experienced the student dropout problem that has plagued the profession for years. If we could reverse this trend and create/retain more music makers, what would we gain? Three things come to mind--respect, satisfaction and a better world.

Greater Respect

If you're tired of playing second fiddle to the sports coaches, the answer is simple. Attract more players. More participants means greater popularity for your field. When millions flock to a particular activity, that popularity elevates the status and esteem of all those involved, players and teachers alike. When playing tennis hit its zenith back in the 1970s, everyone associated with the sport felt respected and proud-,from the players to the coaches to the racquet manufacturers to the racquet stringing specialists. The more we can attract the lost millions, the more popularity we will bring to this art form, and the more respect the world will have for you and me and what we do.

Satisfaction

Let me take that further. What if many among those lost millions, the ones who are right now spending countless hours striving to become great rock climbers or terrific golfers, were to embrace music with the same vigor and learn to play really well? Can you imagine the tremendous satisfaction you would derive not only from the chance to work with more and more talented, motivated people--but also to have more students who could fully appreciate and admire the skills and the dedication that you bring to their art? How does it feel to realize that some of those who would have been your best, most satisfying students to teach are playing soccer today? You never met them--and sadly, you never will.

A Better World

If respect and satisfaction aren't reasons enough ... how about these? More music makers means more funding for the arts. It means larger, more appreciative audiences for our music. It means more responsible citizens in our communities. It means fewer kids on drugs (if you've seen the poll that shows music as the number one "anti-drug" for teens). In short, having more music makers means a better world.

These are the things to be won in the "battle for the lost millions." The sad reality of all that we have missed by letting those millions drift away without a fight should distress every one of us. So, at the outset of this talk, please agree with me that, despite those waiting lists, the pursuit of more music makers is a cause worth fighting for.

Cultural Context

So, where do we go from here? Before we can decide where to go, we should first understand where we are. To help in that assessment, let me try to describe the typical twenty-first-century student:

      He/she is extremely busy, overwhelmed by homework, chronically tired,
   barraged by attractive alternatives, highly tech savvy, entrenched in
   participation sports, heavily oriented toward group activities and has very
   little spare time. He/she is listening to rap, hip-hop and boy/girl vocal
   bands, has little appreciation for classical music, seldom hears piano
   music of any kind, has no young piano heroes and has very few opportunities
   to perform.