An important feature of process theology, especially as developed in the Teilhardian tradition by Ilia Delio, is its openness to partnering with machines and, more specifically, with AI as a potentially valuable practice that can enrich the world. In this view, the soul of the universe, God, is within each of us as a lure toward partnering with other people, to be sure, and with plants and animals as well, but also with machines. in service to love and beauty. This page illustrates one expression of that partnering: using AI to help resurrect classical music and, more specifically, classical music education for youth.
In this partnership, classical music can be democratized, moving beyond its current status as a niche for elite culture. By leveraging AI, we can make classical music more accessible and engaging for younger generations, integrating it into their educational experiences in innovative ways. This approach aligns with the broader understanding within process theology that embraces change and innovation as part of the divine process. AI can help reinterpret and expand classical compositions, making them more relevant and exciting for today's listeners.
This collaborative effort aims to ensure that classical music continues to thrive, reaching diverse audiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for its timeless beauty. Balancing tradition with technological advancement can create a richer, more inclusive future for classical music, where its transformative power can be experienced by all.
In this partnership, classical music can be democratized, moving beyond its current status as a niche for elite culture. By leveraging AI, we can make classical music more accessible and engaging for younger generations, integrating it into their educational experiences in innovative ways. This approach aligns with the broader understanding within process theology that embraces change and innovation as part of the divine process. AI can help reinterpret and expand classical compositions, making them more relevant and exciting for today's listeners.
This collaborative effort aims to ensure that classical music continues to thrive, reaching diverse audiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for its timeless beauty. Balancing tradition with technological advancement can create a richer, more inclusive future for classical music, where its transformative power can be experienced by all.
"In this celebrity-obsessed world, what would children prefer – being in a band smashing out killer riffs on an electric guitar at Glastonbury or quietly playing in the second row of the violas at the Barbican?"
"Classical music is becoming a niche activity. It probably won’t die completely, but it is slowly drifting towards being an elitist pastime and a posh night out for posh people at posh locations."
Ray Coyte plays classical double bass in a number of orchestras
The slow death of classical music education
RAY COYTE
reposted from The Royal Society of the Arts
click here
Attendance at classical music performances is on a downward trend. According to the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts, 4.6% of US adults attended a classical music performance in the year to July 2022, down from 8.6% in 2017. There is likely a Covid effect to this statistic, but the same survey for the same period shows that attendance for ‘other performing arts’ – including pop, rock, hip-hop, country music, comedy shows, and circus acts – increased from 15% of adults in 2017 to 21.2% in 2022.
As a member of several UK orchestras, I suspect that the same trend is happening in this country. Does this matter? I would argue that it really does. An appreciation of classical music brings benefits far beyond the cultural aspect. Music, particularly classical music, can stimulate the brain, calm the mind and body, evoke emotions, and provide an escape from the stresses of daily life.
Economically, the UK music industry as a whole is thriving. According to UK Music, sales and streams of recordings, live shows, and spending by overseas tourists attending shows in the UK together generated export income of £4bn in 2022. Moreover, the industry’s overall contribution to the UK economy was £6.7bn in terms of gross value added.
The power and value of music is also recognized by the UK government in its excellent National Plan for Music Education (June 2022). This sets out an ambitious and positive pathway to allow every child to learn to sing or play a musical instrument by 2030, driven by local music hubs.
In this celebrity-obsessed world, what would children prefer – being in a band smashing out killer riffs on an electric guitar at Glastonbury or quietly playing in the second row of the violas at the Barbican?
Classical Error
So music makes you happy, boosts the economy, and the government is right behind it. So everything is good? Well, sadly, if you are a fan of classical music, things don’t look so great.
The harsh facts of the matter are as follows:
Classical music is becoming a niche activity. It probably won’t die completely, but it is slowly drifting towards being an elitist pastime and a posh night out for posh people at posh locations.
Beyond Music Education
The decline of classical music as we know it doesn’t just lie with schools and music education. We live in a multicultural society, and every school needs to service its own community. Does the teaching of a Mozart concerto have a place in a school that is mostly populated by Asian children whose culture is filled with wonderful bhangra music? Perhaps not. Does a community with a Caribbean heritage full of uplifting reggae music need to learn Shostakovich?
Should we care? It depends on whether you think classical music is important. It depends if you believe that learning to play an instrument is valuable and rewarding. It depends if you think those big orchestral sounds behind so many pop songs are needed. And it depends if you think those epic orchestral sounds behind every movie you have ever watched matter.
In many respects, classical music can be compared to a Shakespeare play – sometimes challenging to understand, but culturally precious and wonderfully deep and complex.
The future for classical music does matter. And we shouldn’t simply stand by and watch classical music education die a slow death.
Ray Coyte plays classical double bass in a number of orchestras.
As a member of several UK orchestras, I suspect that the same trend is happening in this country. Does this matter? I would argue that it really does. An appreciation of classical music brings benefits far beyond the cultural aspect. Music, particularly classical music, can stimulate the brain, calm the mind and body, evoke emotions, and provide an escape from the stresses of daily life.
Economically, the UK music industry as a whole is thriving. According to UK Music, sales and streams of recordings, live shows, and spending by overseas tourists attending shows in the UK together generated export income of £4bn in 2022. Moreover, the industry’s overall contribution to the UK economy was £6.7bn in terms of gross value added.
The power and value of music is also recognized by the UK government in its excellent National Plan for Music Education (June 2022). This sets out an ambitious and positive pathway to allow every child to learn to sing or play a musical instrument by 2030, driven by local music hubs.
In this celebrity-obsessed world, what would children prefer – being in a band smashing out killer riffs on an electric guitar at Glastonbury or quietly playing in the second row of the violas at the Barbican?
Classical Error
So music makes you happy, boosts the economy, and the government is right behind it. So everything is good? Well, sadly, if you are a fan of classical music, things don’t look so great.
The harsh facts of the matter are as follows:
- Unless your parents can afford to buy you private music lessons outside of school, the chances of you learning an orchestral instrument in the state sector are slim.
- Many music hubs (the local education groups set up to teach and promote music) have rooms and warehouses full of unused violins, clarinets, flutes, cellos, and every other orchestral instrument sitting waiting for a student to borrow. As years drift by, fewer and fewer students want to pick them up.
- It can take five years to learn to play a violin, averaging an hour a day of practice to become moderately competent. That’s about 2,000 hours. To get to level three of a video game can take you two hours. If you were a teenager, what would you do?
- Many secondary schools focus music teaching on non-classical genres – bhangra, indie, pop, rock, blues, techno, dubstep. All are important genres, of course, but classical music sits at the bottom of the priorities of so many schools.
- Many schools simply do not have the resources. The music room of a local school near me consists of a drum kit, a few keyboards, and a wide range of electronic mixing desks. Electronic music production using loops is the only thing on offer. There is not a page of sheet music in sight.
- There is a skills deficit. The national plan for music is a laudable ambition, but if a primary school doesn’t have a teacher who can play a piano or a guitar, no amount of targets will facilitate the teaching of the topic.
- An image issue. There is a rather cruel saying in the jazz guitar world that also applies to classical music: “A rock guitarist can learn three chords and often plays to an audience of thousands, whereas a jazz guitarist has to learn a thousand chords and plays to an audience of three.” In this celebrity-obsessed world, what would children prefer? Being in a band smashing out killer riffs on an electric guitar at Glastonbury or quietly playing in the second row of the violas at the Barbican?
Classical music is becoming a niche activity. It probably won’t die completely, but it is slowly drifting towards being an elitist pastime and a posh night out for posh people at posh locations.
Beyond Music Education
The decline of classical music as we know it doesn’t just lie with schools and music education. We live in a multicultural society, and every school needs to service its own community. Does the teaching of a Mozart concerto have a place in a school that is mostly populated by Asian children whose culture is filled with wonderful bhangra music? Perhaps not. Does a community with a Caribbean heritage full of uplifting reggae music need to learn Shostakovich?
Should we care? It depends on whether you think classical music is important. It depends if you believe that learning to play an instrument is valuable and rewarding. It depends if you think those big orchestral sounds behind so many pop songs are needed. And it depends if you think those epic orchestral sounds behind every movie you have ever watched matter.
In many respects, classical music can be compared to a Shakespeare play – sometimes challenging to understand, but culturally precious and wonderfully deep and complex.
The future for classical music does matter. And we shouldn’t simply stand by and watch classical music education die a slow death.
Ray Coyte plays classical double bass in a number of orchestras.
Death and New Life
In Whitehead's philosophy, when something dies, it is not necessarily dead. It is objectively immortal in the ways it influences subsequent generations. This influence is expressed in how it is remembered and, in the case of Western classical music, performed anew. Additionally, in the case of classical music, it achieves objective immortality by catalyzing new forms of music, such as the big orchestral sounds in pop songs and movie scores, even if these influences are not always acknowledged. This perspective reflects the "death" of Western classical music: it lives on through its lasting impact and ongoing reinterpretation.
However, Western classical music may be slowly dying in another sense. As Ray Coyte observes, it is becoming "a niche activity." It is not likely to die completely but "is drifting towards being an elitist pastime, a posh night out for posh people at posh locations." This gradual decline is not just about the loss of incredible forms of beauty that can be enjoyed in their own right, but also about losing the broader positive effects of classical music for those outside the niche: mental health benefits, the cultivation of creativity, and pure relaxation.
The dying of Western classical seems inevitable for the foreseeable future. Seven factors are at work. All are part of the social context of classical music today:
It is difficult to imagine changes to in these seven factors. What can be imagined, however, is an expansion of the "niche" that classical music occupies. It can be expanded to include more than an elite pastime for posh people in posh nights out in posh locations. This can enable it to better find its voice outside elite settings. Can AI help "save" classical music and classical music education toward this end. I asked ChatGPT and got this these suggestions:
AI can't save classical music, but it can offer new ways to educate children in classical music through personalized learning, enhanced practice techniques, and musical composition. By integrating AI-driven tools, educators can tailor lessons to individual learning styles, providing real-time feedback and adaptive challenges that keep students motivated. Moreover, AI can assist in creating innovative practice methods, such as virtual reality orchestras or interactive sheet music, making the learning process more immersive and enjoyable. These advancements can democratize classical music education, breaking down barriers and widening its scope beyond elitist culture, fostering appreciation and engagement from a young age and making classical music more inclusive and appealing to diverse audiences.
- Jay McDaniel and ChatGPT
However, Western classical music may be slowly dying in another sense. As Ray Coyte observes, it is becoming "a niche activity." It is not likely to die completely but "is drifting towards being an elitist pastime, a posh night out for posh people at posh locations." This gradual decline is not just about the loss of incredible forms of beauty that can be enjoyed in their own right, but also about losing the broader positive effects of classical music for those outside the niche: mental health benefits, the cultivation of creativity, and pure relaxation.
The dying of Western classical seems inevitable for the foreseeable future. Seven factors are at work. All are part of the social context of classical music today:
- Decreased Attendance: Classical music concerts and events often struggle to attract large audiences compared to genres like pop, rock, and hip-hop. This trend suggests that fewer people are interested in or have access to classical music performances.
- Elitist Perception: Classical music is increasingly seen as an elitist pastime, associated with wealth, exclusivity, and high culture. This perception can alienate potential audiences who feel that classical music is not for them or that it is inaccessible.
- Educational Decline: Classical music education, in which students learn to read music, play instruments, and perform in ensembles, is declining. Schools and educational institutions are reducing or eliminating music programs due to budget cuts and changing priorities. This reduction in music education means fewer young people are exposed to classical music.
- Cultural Shifts: In a celebrity-obsessed culture, children and young adults are more likely to aspire to be pop or rock stars rather than classical musicians. The allure of fame, mainstream recognition, and the energetic appeal of popular music genres overshadow the quieter, more disciplined world of classical music.
- Economic Challenges: Many classical music organizations, including orchestras and opera houses, face financial difficulties. Funding cuts, reduced ticket sales, and the high costs of producing classical music events contribute to these challenges.
- Technological Changes: The rise of digital music and streaming services has transformed how people consume music. While these platforms offer classical music, they tend to prioritize more popular genres, making it harder for classical music to reach new audiences.
- Shifts in Entertainment Preferences: Modern entertainment options, including movies, video games, and various forms of digital media, compete for people's time and attention. Classical music, with its often longer and more contemplative nature, may struggle to compete with more immediate and visually engaging forms of entertainment.
It is difficult to imagine changes to in these seven factors. What can be imagined, however, is an expansion of the "niche" that classical music occupies. It can be expanded to include more than an elite pastime for posh people in posh nights out in posh locations. This can enable it to better find its voice outside elite settings. Can AI help "save" classical music and classical music education toward this end. I asked ChatGPT and got this these suggestions:
- Personalized Learning AI can create personalized learning experiences for students. By analyzing a student's progress and learning style, AI can tailor lessons to their needs, providing specific feedback and exercises to improve their skills. This personalized approach can make learning classical music more engaging and effective.
- Interactive and Engaging Tools AI-powered applications and platforms can offer interactive and engaging tools for learning classical music. These tools can include virtual tutors, gamified learning experiences, and interactive sheet music that responds to a student's performance in real-time, making the learning process more enjoyable and motivating.
- Access to High-Quality Resources AI can help democratize access to high-quality musical resources. Platforms powered by AI can provide students and educators with access to vast libraries of classical music scores, recordings, and educational materials, making it easier for anyone, anywhere, to learn and appreciate classical music.
- Enhanced Practice Techniques AI can assist students in their practice sessions by providing real-time feedback on their playing. AI-driven software can analyze a performance, detect mistakes, suggest improvements, and even provide visualizations of proper techniques, helping students to practice more effectively.
- Composition and Creativity AI can aid in the composition of new classical music pieces, offering composers new tools and inspiration. By analyzing existing compositions, AI can suggest new melodies, harmonies, and structures, helping to keep the classical music tradition alive and evolving.
- Virtual Performances and Collaborations AI can enable virtual performances and collaborations, allowing musicians from around the world to play together in real-time, despite geographical barriers. This can foster a global classical music community and provide more opportunities for performance and collaboration.
- Historical and Analytical Insights AI can analyze vast amounts of data from classical music history, providing new insights into the works of composers, performance practices, and the evolution of musical styles. This can enhance both education and appreciation of classical music.
- Audience Engagement and Outreach AI can help classical music organizations and educators reach new audiences by analyzing data to understand preferences and trends. This can lead to more effective marketing strategies, personalized recommendations, and engaging content that attracts a broader audience to classical music.
- Preservation and Restoration AI can assist in the preservation and restoration of old recordings and manuscripts, ensuring that classical music heritage is preserved for future generations. AI technologies can clean up and enhance old recordings, making them more accessible and enjoyable.
AI can't save classical music, but it can offer new ways to educate children in classical music through personalized learning, enhanced practice techniques, and musical composition. By integrating AI-driven tools, educators can tailor lessons to individual learning styles, providing real-time feedback and adaptive challenges that keep students motivated. Moreover, AI can assist in creating innovative practice methods, such as virtual reality orchestras or interactive sheet music, making the learning process more immersive and enjoyable. These advancements can democratize classical music education, breaking down barriers and widening its scope beyond elitist culture, fostering appreciation and engagement from a young age and making classical music more inclusive and appealing to diverse audiences.
- Jay McDaniel and ChatGPT