Buying tickets to be in an audience is just not happening as often, whether you're 18, in your 20s or middle-aged.
Yes, one in three American adults went to at least one performance or art museum over the course of a year, according to a 2008 survey done by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Yet that's a big decline since 2002. Audience numbers are down a third or more for jazz, classical music, opera, plays, galleries and especially ballet. Only musicals have sold fairly steadily.
Sure, blame economic recession and high gas prices. But online media entertainment is also a big factor. While fewer people go out to live shows, millions are downloading art, photography, music and theater. Now about as many Americans experience the arts by computer as they do through attendance.
Bottom line: Your enthusiasm and patronage have a direct effect on performers, production professionals and the experiences of a community. Downloads are a great way to sample, learn or follow at a distance. But don't miss the energy, acoustics and close observation of being present at the creation in the room where performance happens.
We offer suggestions for arts lovers to discover (and re-discover) established and emerging artists, musicians and performers in and around Delaware. Although we particularly like to celebrate smaller arts organizations and individuals, we cover nearly anything that strikes us or that we feel you should know about. Periodically, we welcome guest bloggers and artists to join us.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Music alumni awards
Whether you knew it as the Wilmington Music School or as the now renamed Music School of Delaware, the staff wants to hear how its ex-students are doing. It's organizing an alumni association. Sign up on the web home page.
Know someone who's especially outstanding? Nominations are sought for two Distinguished Alumni awards -- one for accomplishments in music, and the second in other pursuits.
Potential honorees should be 18 or older with noteworthy achievements.
Nomination forms are on the web site www.musicschoolofdelaware.org. Submit by Sept. 15.
The awards ceremony will be Oct. 7 in Wilmington.
Know someone who's especially outstanding? Nominations are sought for two Distinguished Alumni awards -- one for accomplishments in music, and the second in other pursuits.
Potential honorees should be 18 or older with noteworthy achievements.
Nomination forms are on the web site www.musicschoolofdelaware.org. Submit by Sept. 15.
The awards ceremony will be Oct. 7 in Wilmington.
Music lessons by site
The Music School of Delaware now offers lessons in Middletown, at the Odessa Townsend Senior Center, 300 S. Scott St. Kids and adults can learn voice, piano, flute, guitar, early childhood activities, even garage band there.
This fine school's main branch is at 4101 Washington St., Wilmington. Its extensive course list for all ages -- including ensembles, conservatory preparation, performances, music history, theory, autism and Alzheimer's therapy -- is at http://www.musicschoolofdelaware.org/.
Other lesson locations are at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Pike Creek; People's Church of Dover; the Drum Pad in Felton; and Long Neck United Methodist Church in Millsboro.
This fine school's main branch is at 4101 Washington St., Wilmington. Its extensive course list for all ages -- including ensembles, conservatory preparation, performances, music history, theory, autism and Alzheimer's therapy -- is at http://www.musicschoolofdelaware.org/.
Other lesson locations are at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Pike Creek; People's Church of Dover; the Drum Pad in Felton; and Long Neck United Methodist Church in Millsboro.
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