In a message dated 12/6/2003 5:55:37 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> As someone who has listened to and enjoyed lute music for over 20 years (and been playing for 4 > months) it continues to surprise me how many people have never heard of the instrument or know its > sound (though they have seen them in pictures). Have any of the lute societies made a coordinated > effort to try to increase public awareness (realizing that about 2% of the general public would > consider to buy any classical music CD)? It continues to amaze me that when the Renaissance Fair > comes to South Florida it is PACKED for 2 weeks solid and yet there is not a single lute teacher less > than a 5 hour drive away from me. I actually got excited when I glanced at the headline "Odette May > Head to South Florida" before I realized they were talking about the hurricane. > > I've tried to do my part in a small way. I will be bringing my lutes into the Classical Guitar class > at the high school my kids attend. I've tried to support those who make their living in the field by > ordering 2 lutes newly made rather than second hand, ordering a number of music editions from Tree, > Lyre and Orphee even though I have enough downloaded to keep me busy and buying most of the newly > released CD's (which range from fantastic virtuoso performances to, ahem, less than steller efforts). > No doubt my efforts are a drop in the bucket. (how many copies of a lute CD are usually sold > anyway??). > > What have others done on an individual and/or > organizational wide level? I haven't had too much time to wade through all the subsequent postings on this list (I've been too busy actually playing my lutes, not reading my lutemail!!) but wanted to address Daniel Shoskes very thoughtful, true, and poignant note about his own genuine interest in the lute and promoting it in his world, such as his kid's high school classes. I think this is great. More of us should be doing this sort of outreach. We can all try harder to make the lute heard more to new ears, to be seen and demonstrated to new audiences, to more children, to new venues. I don't think I've encountered anyone yet who doesn't like the lute, only that maybe they've never seen one before. The other day, as I returned from Germany through Toronto, I was delayed there for five hours. Having my lute with me, while other passengers showed displeasure at the flight delay, I took my lute out and played in public for an hour. I could tell that the mood in the waiting lounge became noticeably brighter. Eventually, though, the temperature in the lounge fell to the point where I couldn't keep my lute in tune or my fingers moveable! As for other things which I have tried to do to keep active as far as lute: I have organized a series of free concerts around works of art to keep a museum audience in touch with another historical context (music and societal) for the art collection. I have taken on the responsibilities as director the LSA's next summer seminar (see www.lutesocietyofamerica.org I have found this to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with many members and also the many professionals who will be involved as faculty. I have tried to meet many of you during my travels abroad and to other parts of the U.S. I have recently taken on a side job as a solo concert manager for a well-known lute player. Our agreement is that our #1 main goal is to promote the lute and its repertoire. We want the lute to become a commonplace, main stream instrument that everyone will once again know and appreciate! Not only is this great fun, but I feel like I'm accomplishing an important sense of mission. [I sense that maybe we'll soon be moving into a better lunar phase and a more positive discussion here. I hope so!] - Kenneth Be
