"We musicians have always been in the lead when it comes to ignoring race." B.B.
Bill, Maybe yes, maybe no. Read Willie Ruff's autobiography "Call to Assembly". Even as recently as the late 1940's it was impossible or next to impossible for an Afro-American to get a job in a major orchestra. The musician union locals were also segregated. Opportunities for Afro-American singers were limited to roles such as Othello and in Porgy and Bess. I suppose that one can say that the glass ceiling has cracked and that today we have more of a meritocracy based on talent, still the fact that significant numbers of Afro-Americans have not flocked to the western classical music ranks in itself, says something. In the Big Band Era, it was the white bands that by and large got the lucrative recording contracts (yes I know that there were exceptions) and the bands themselves were organized along racial lines (Benny Goodman gets credit for integrating his band in a time of segregated bands). I know that you said "good Americans" implying to me, anyway, that there are still many out there who assume postures of racial superiority. Still, I think that there is no denying that racism is alive and well in the United States. It manifests itself today much differently than in past times but it is still there, without a doubt. In the last several years my family has become multi-racial and I am surprised at how some members of my family are treated, even in Boston and New York City. I suppose one could ask: Ah, but how is this horn related ? It is horn-related in that if western classical music is to endure, then we must broaden the audience, and the fact remains that persons of color do not represent in any great numbers those who patronize western classical music. I think we all realize that there is a larger problem here, and that is the fact that support for western classical music is declining among all demographic segments of the population. I tend to be somewhat pessimistic about the future (just my nature, I guess, the glass has always been half-empty for me). I fear that I don't share your optimism. The United States is a much bigger country than the area south of Los Angeles. Caveat lector Mark L. _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
