Little 7 year-old Chris was so wrong about my 2020 self (unfortunately I’m not a multi-millionaire botanist) - but finding this hidden away among old papers this past week has an interesting coincidence. I’ve been talking a lot about dreams/what the future might look like for 150+ young musicians these past two weeks with the VIA Academy and I’m so hopeful for the future of classical music.
July 2nd was the last day of an education program I started and organized with a group of amazing colleagues in collaboration with the New World Symphony. Standing for giving access and inclusion for quality music education, I’m in awe of the talented students of VIA Academy and how they see their roles as musicians in their own communities. They’re ambitious and they want to change many things using music - but they just don’t have regular access to quality education. A lot like how my dreams were supported through all the experiences I’ve had in my life, I hope VIA Academy can provide aspiring young musicians a support system to also figure out their aspirations now and in the future.
Let’s create a future that continually focuses on the core values of music-making in our communities and in performances. To do this, we have to start with how we are educating the youth across our country. Students know what they’re passionate about in music. However, they don’t think their passions are possible. This means the educational structures put in place don’t provide a place where dreams and aspirations can become a realistic path. Include everyone - classical music should not be an exclusive club that if you don't do it "right", then you're not let in. Let students have a say in their music education. Show students that being a top soloist, teacher, chamber or orchestra musician are not the only ways to have a career in music. Youth should be able to create their own paths and also have access to quality music education. Let students have the freedom to focus on their own passions in music - making students feel like they only have a narrow number of paths isn’t empowering.
I’m so excited to see what VIA Academy becomes and hope to change how we structure educational programs in all our arts institutions across the country by setting a higher example. Ultimately, we have to challenge outdated educational structures in order to better the youth in this country. I hope to continue to lead by example in my performances and teaching but I can’t do this alone.
Stand up for quality music education in your communities and let’s re-focus the importance of making music in the first place. Now, in a time of reflection on the music world, we owe it to those who will carry on classical music and evolve it to have resources to experiential knowledge and music education they can count on to widen their possibilities in the future. Because every human being deserves that right.
I look forward to opening up a discussion about these topics right here on my website. We need to restructure how we present classical music not only in performance but also in education. I’m not an expert on educational structures, but I do have a passion for accessible and quality education, which I hope we can achieve together. Join me in these future discussions and reach out to me at crobinsonviolin@gmail.com.
Take care everyone!!