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I think its interesting that you are able to generate such a blanket statement about *everybody* when you're only 18. =)

Of course I wish that more people could distinguish between real music and the generic, lowest-common denominator pop music they push, but I've learned over the years that many people just don't think, or don't want to think, too deeply about the music they listen to. If they can dance to it, if it can provoke some kind of overt sentiment, if its not too complicated, if it can function as musical wallpaper, if it sounds "nice".... well, then, its okay.

Even the music we consider to be "classical" was often written for dancing, though! Our styles have changed, the quality of our composers has changed, and the taste of the masses has changed... what can you do? *shrug*

I'm not too heavily into opera and classical at this point - I've found a new appreciation for jazz, so between that and some of the more "intelligent" or better-written pop, rock, and metal is what I tend to prefer these days. My favorite band is Coheed and Cambria - their earlier albums are very well written, for instance, if you can handle his voice. =)

My favorite singers in the operatic genre would have to be Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli.... I have a lot of respect for someone who can cultivate their voice to that level of talent and tone, and as a musician I do hold that higher bar for both!

I think that getting 15 people who are interested in classical music out of a college is pretty dang good.... be thankful you have even that much!

I would suggest having weekly focuses on certain artists, perhaps focusing on a period of history or a certain location. Perhaps once a month have a few members contribute to a mix CD one of their favorite tracks.

For instance, off the top of my head I can only name one German composer - Wagner. Love him. Who are other German composers that might have a similar sound, or who influenced him, or where influenced by him? Was he associated with a particular movement or aesthetic? I know that some of his music became associated with the Nazi movement... I don't believe he was or anything like that, but I don't remember... so maybe having a spotlight on an artist or three every month might not be a bad idea either, mm?

I don't know the answers to most of these questions, and by learning about someone's background and the context of his music, I think it would help me gain a greater appreciation for his music.

Or how about church music, ie Gregorian chants? Love that stuff.... while probably not "classical" per se, it might be kind of fun to cover Gregorian chants, their origin, other styles of chants, and maybe even spotlight someone like the Masters of Chant, a group of singers who cover more modern songs in a chant-like style.

Anyways, congratulations on forming your group, I hope you have a lot of success with it... I definitely agree that its important to keep it fun... the last thing I personally want to do is spend a few hours bitching about how much hip hop sucks.... I already do that enough on my own... *grin*

Saul

Take heart. It wasn't much different when I was your age about 55 YEARS ago. I grew up in an atmosphere that included a piano teacher for a mother and an Uncle who played clarinet in both a Symphony orchestra and a Philharmonic orchestra.. so I was surrounded by classical music..

I could sing the librettos from several different operas by the time I as 8 and had to learn English as a second language to my native French.

I WAS CONSIDERED WEIRD because I preferred classical music and Opera to the popular music of the day.. at least that is why I THINK they considered me weird.

Don't worry about trying to raise the "CLASS" of the people around you... they are just a bunch of punters... so you can only make yourself happy

I think it's just a matter of awareness. Classical music isn't advertised quite like hip-hop and rock, and I've never noticed a classical music station on cable. Until there is mass awareness, you're not going to find a huge following to the genre. However, you can create a following around you by creating awareness around you. Share your love of the music and you might just spread the love. I'm actually surprised you got 15 people to show up for your appreciation group. My school could start a group for hip-hop lovers and still wouldn't get 15 people, people around here just aren't into clubs.

I am an adjudicator of Middle and High School Instrumentalist. I hear about 80 soloist at each of 4 or 5 festivals a year.

The youth that I hear are obviously into the classical masterworks.

Years ago we heard the same stories only it was rock and roll then.

later it was country western

Not sure what will come next.

Most of these trends develop and eventually show real talent even if not appreciated by all.

Beatles were considered crap by many classical musicians only to wind up performing their music a few years later.

Stereotypeee. Of corse there are allot of younger people who appreaciate classical music. If you want more people in your group just go to the Arts area, and you should find lots. Any one who is doing acting in school most likely are involved in musicals, which more than likely are classical ones most of the time. And if there is a band you will find more people there because there teacher probably teaches them about the importance of classical music, along with all the oother types of music.

Also, most people don't want to spend there time in a boring group, so make it fun:)

What do you expect from a society brought up to have the attention span of a goldfish?

How can they hope to appreciate Mahler's Ninth Symphony when it's thirty times longer than anything they listen to?

Keep plugging away. Those intelligent enough will catch on.

I'd start with overtures. I did with my nieces, they now love the classics.

Its all about preference, people have differ appreciation for things because of their exposure. I dont feel that hip hop is junk, but i dont feel it always takes advantage of the potential of the art-form. I must say this before i go any further, i feel classical music is overwhelming and i get bored of it easily unless im in the mood for it.

My love is for jazz, and this is because i grew up w/ it in my household and joined the jazz band when i was still in HS. Also i love progressive rock/metal and marching band shows (corps only), because in prog. they take adv of there musical knowledge and applied it to in their songs, like Dream Theater who compose often in simple progression yet their improv skills and composition are phenomenal. Marching Shows combine music (often classical) and moving figures, which i've been in for ova 3yrs.

Im not going to say im saddening by others not sharing my appreciation for jazz, marching band, and prog. because they will have their own preferences which i cant impose mine onto. I revere ur love to the classical arts, but times have changed and just as disco was casted aside one day hip hop will to, but like classical there will b those hold hold value to the style of music

dont do anything...you got your 15 people be ahppy with that...besides hip-hop is crap....its all about the metal whoooo Disturbed, Godsmack, Demon Hunter

its all about whatever amuses your ears man.