Classical or Contemporary? Choice is good!

When I was a young child, the music played in my home was largely country and rock or hymns. Of course I had my own music too…Sesame Street, Anne Murray’s Hippo in My Bathtub, Mother Goose Favourites and the like. There was always music playing or being played but I didn’t receive a great deal of exposure to classical music through my parents. 30 years ago the media took care of that. All of the television shows I watched were full of classical or piano music. Bugs bunny, Polka Dot Door, Disney’s features, Charlie Brown…just to name a few.  I found that when I began playing classical music, many of the pieces were familiar. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think the children of today have that same luxury.

I wonder if the lack of exposure to Classical/Baroque/Romantic music has had an effect on the enthusiasm of students to play those genres. I have found that in the last ten years, many more students were becoming frustrated with the choice of repertoire available to them if they would like to take their music seriously. Some wish to play only popular music, which is fun for a short time but since much of the pop music is written using the same rhythms, chord progressions and bass patterns, students quickly become bored with it and realize that they need something more challenging.

In response to this overwhelming need for music that kids can relate to, Christopher Norton, Ty Seidenberg and others have developed series  of books that are filled with music which both challenges and satisfies the young musician.

Due to the high demand for exciting repertoire containing modern rhythm and harmony, Conservatory Canada has developed a curriculum for students that includes jazz, ragtime, blues, ballads and more. They have compiled a series of books ranging from early intermediate to advanced levels. They have also published technical requirements for each level including modes and chords which are found in jazz/blues music, as well as  improvisation skills. Now students have a choice to work toward Classical or Contemporary Idioms requirements and can be tested on either.

I love classical music and I love contemporary music. For any students, like myself, I happily allow and encourage them to play both. They can even study one for a year and then switch the following year. Options are good! Having the choice to study music they enjoy can make or break a student’s desire to continue their studies. I welcome the variety, especially when both streams are well thought out and organized in such a way that students develop the important skills to become a competent musician.

Thank you to Conservatory Canada for listening to students and teachers! More importantly, thank you to today’s composers for writing music that both teaches and gets our toes tapping!