Last week, music was a common theme in the Belgian newspaper, radio and television. It attracted my attention, as this is mere exceptional. Two events evoked this peak of attention to music .
The first event was the Queen Elisabeth Competition, taking place in Brussels. This competition is one of the most prestigious competitions for young musicians who have already finished professional training and are ready to launch their international career. Every year – the competition is alternating for piano, violin and singing – young musicians in their twenties from all over the world come over to Brussels for the pre-selections. Two belgian baritons reached the final. They achieved in no time a celeb status. As we know from earlier years, the winning trio will make a triumph tour across Belgium and they will sing in sold out concert halls, the audience not only existing of regular classical music fans, but a very broad public. Two weeks long, classical music is not to difficult for the national ‘popular’ media. Interesting…
I have made an analysis of participation numbers of one of those concert halls for the last two years. This analysis shows that the seasonal peak of attendees under 26 years old is exactly during these concerts: more than 10% of the audience is younger than 26. Yossif Ivanov, a few years after he won as an 18 year old boy the second prize of the competition, still attracts a very young audience when he performs.
Considering about all this, my thoughts drove to the Manifesto for Youth and Music. Isn’t this exactly what we are striving for?
Training, mentoring and professional integration schemes must provide the necessary artistic and entrepreneurial tools to survive as an individual in a fast moving market. The competition board offers the candidates a platform for showing their skills to the top of the musical sector, for launching their international career and for installing an international network.
Young people embarking on a career in the music sector must be supported, their skills must be valued, and they must be fairly remunerated. The support of young musicians is the core business of this organisation.
As I said, there was a second event that attracted my attention. Last week, it was the final event of the national competition Kunstbende, too. This competition is open to every person under 19 years old, active in several art disciplines, such as photography, dance, plastic art, music, dj, etc. Up to 30 000 young people participated in the last 10 years. What can they win? A possibility to play at a festival, or a coach, who must help them to work on their training and career. Do you know what I had to think about?
Manifesto -> lifelong learning: it is important to bridge the gap between formal, non-formal and informal education. Creativity, diversity and enjoyment must be fostered through live performance and active music participation.
Resources: Qualified, experienced and open-minded professionals at decision and policy making levels.
Or how the Manifesto can be very actual.
by Eline De Langhe
WGY Committee member
Working Group Youth of the European Music Council 