“Programs are a bit like prix-fixe menus in a restaurant: We can’t serve music à la carte . . . so our menu has to be quite diverse and – tasty.”
-Eckart Preu, conductor
The Musician’s Way, p. 212
Data from the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts show that two of the top four motivations for people to attend arts events are to “learn new things” (64%) and “experience high-quality arts” (63%).*
It reasons, therefore, that if emerging musicians aim to attract large audiences to their concerts, they will be more successful if their programs offer listeners top-quality musical events that break new ground.
Not more concerts of music solely by traditional composers such as Beethoven. Rather, programs that bring together repertoire in novel ways and communicate significant insights that no other performers could deliver.
Such programs succeed when they enable listeners to “learn new things” and enjoy meaningful musical encounters that aren’t otherwise available, even when they incorporate some degree of standard repertoire.
Programs are the Content of Concerts
Art museums bring in large audiences when their curators design exhibits that explore timely topics, display fine work, and shed new light on artists’ output. Such museum shows become happenings because they supply high-quality content and exclusive experiences.
By comparison, classical concerts tend to feature the same music – that is, the same content – presented in the same old ways.
Classical piano recitals by recent conservatory graduates, for instance, ordinarily feature music by a handful of 19th-century composers. The pianists seldom offer fresh insights into the music or even interact from the stage. They just play those typical standard pieces, apparently thinking that’s enough because that’s what they did in school.
Such repertoire can easily be heard online, and performed by legendary artists, so it should come as no surprise that attendance at classical concerts has been declining for years.**
In contrast, innovative concert programs provide listeners with new content and experiences to enjoy. Like novel museum shows, when well organized, they can become happenings that spur audiences to attend.
The central feature of such concerts is their content – the music that will be performed. For unknown musicians striving for performance careers, compelling content is a must. Especially when the world brims with thousands of conservatory graduates performing standard repertoire.
Lastly, when musicians design successful programs, they can perform those programs for years, if not decades. Performers who build portfolios of compelling programs amass so much distinctive content that they can book plentiful good-paying concerts and achieve sustainable careers.
Articles to Develop Concert Programming & Presentation Skills
Below are links to nine concise articles that articulate concepts for aspiring musicians to craft innovative programs and produce effective concerts.
I created them to help fill the gaps between what performers learn in music school and what they actually need to know to cultivate music careers.
I hope that they will help you realize your artistic potential.
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3 Traits of Successful Concert Programs
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5 Steps to Better Classical Concerts
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Building New Audiences
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Don’t Be a White Egg
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Let’s Get Relevant
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Motivations and Barriers to Arts Attendance
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New Generation Classical and Jazz Concerts
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Programs that Pop
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The Secret to Sustainable Music Careers
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*arts.gov/news/press-releases/2020/national-endowment-arts-releases-latest-survey-public-participation-arts
**arts.gov/sites/default/files/2017-sppapreviewREV-sept2018.pdf
© 2024 Gerald Klickstein
Photo via Pixabay