Too much emphasis in today's world is placed on monetary success. As an artist (singer, actress, writer) in today's world, I am always saddened at the deteriorating value of art for the sake of art. To create something beautiful, be it a melody or a mural, merely to express something, and to have it given to the world to enhance and beautify, is a unique and wonderful experience.
I was watching the Sphinx Competition from Detroit (televised on PBS, one of the last bastions holding beauty as valued as the almight buck) and was thrilled to watch a 14 year old boy play the violin with a mastery beyond his years, with a soul that seemed, likewise, to be too mature for his light frame and the beautiful face that simply beamed with pride and delight when he finished his solo and was greeted with massive applause.
They announced the winners in the senior category, all three finalists were women, and all of them had family watching in the audience. I was thrilled to see that there were families and young people so enamored of classical music that they would support and encourage the choice.
Too many people are dissuaded in their pursuit of a beloved activity, trained to focus instead on the "fast track" to the best paying job and the most lucrative life-style. And it seems that a short-cut via cheating, stealing or other forms of nefarious behavior is not particularly frowned upon.
So here's to the people who won't let the flame of art die. To the kids, the parents, the authors and performers, the NEA and PBS, and to all of the orchestras,
theatre companies, museums and competitions that keep the fire fueled.
Here's to kids making music instead of plugging in to hear someone else's.
