Classical music is anti-elitist
Classical music is anti-elitist. The music itself is what matters, not the status of the listener, of the performer, or anyone else. It may seem as though this form of art is high-browed and posh, but it isn’t. Here’s why.
Western-style “classical music” has been around for ages, having gone through various periods of styles. With the advent of a new period of classical music are innovative composers who push the limits of what music can be and sound like. Like with any form of art, classical music artists themselves change the game by inventing new styles to express their unique point of view. But, composers are only a piece of classical music (pun intended). Musicians themselves, whether they are novices or experienced, bring to life the creations of composers in a sort of immortal dialogue between fellow humans, separated only by time.
Classical music is about as equal as any form of art can be. When either a novice or a well-known concert pianist performs this same piece (considering they both have it memorized well, and are performance-ready) they are playing exactly the same notes. There is no hierarchy between them. The only difference is in their expression. Their individuality is what distinguishes them, but it does not create one better performer than the other. The audience may enjoy one’s interpretation over the other, but objectively, both pianists played the same piece as written — they both are equal.
Where inequality begins is in access. The lack of access to classical music is a serious issue in the United States. School systems constantly underfund music departments since it’s not as seemingly profitable as sports. But imagine if the roles were reversed. Imagine an America where schools constantly give performances and draw in large crowds, bringing in more money for fine arts departments. Imagine, instead of investing in departments that train the only the body, we invest in departments that also train the brain, and foster creativity and critical thinking.
But money will only do so much — it can’t substitute for practice. Whether you are rich or poor, novice or well-seasoned, the music itself is constant. It doesn’t care if you are Harvard-educated or have no education at all. Music literally is a specific combination of notes, expressed in a specific order creating the melodies and harmonies that people will hear. As operators of the instruments, performers face similar challenges in understanding how their equipment works, and in reading the same sheet music. Really the only determining factor is in the amount of adequate training and preparation. With both, anyone can learn to be a concert pianist, a Broadway singer, or whatever.
Musicians themselves can become composers. They can become Mozarts, Beethovens, or Prokofievs. I say this not meaning they can mirror those composers, but rather that everyone has their unique style and voice that makes classical music more diverse. Anyone can become a revolutionary musician and composer, and has their own unique-ness to share with the world.
Music — to me — is about conversation and expression. Anyone can create their own tunes and share with others. It’s an anti-elitist process because creativity is not a scarce resource that only a few have control over. We all have creativity as human beings. We all have things to say, to express, and to feel.
