So I haven't had the opportunity to post on my blog very often this quarter but I am hoping that at least in my presentation I was able to convey a large portion of my findings in a comprehensive and (hopefully) critical fashion. The concerts that I hadn't been able to write about include Camera Lucida (x2), redfishbluefish, undergraduate violin student recital, Samara Rice's undergraduate composition recital, and my own chamber ensemble recital.
As stated in my presentation, my conclusion was essentially that the music department at UCSD is in an overall state of denial about the necessary compromises they may need to take in their 'art'/'work' in order for the Western Art Music tradition to survive. There had been a general consensus amongst the graduate students that they firmly believed that their work was going in the right direction & that there would be no need to change or adjust what they're doing. They compared their work in experimental & traditional Western Art Music as akin to scientists & mathematicians pushing the boundaries of their fields & constantly changing the way we understand life. And yet, this seems to be a difficult comparison: math & science is argued to be for the greater good of humanity and its continued survival while New MUSIC is far less obviously necessary for human life. There exists a disparity between the new Western Art Music performer and the audience that did not exist before (or at least, not so large a gap), and what performers nowadays don't seem to realize is that an audience is essential for the longevity of an art. If not enough (or no one) can appreciate it now or in the near future, soon it will be lost through the dilution of all other things people encounter and prefer over some experimental piece of music.
I am not sure if this department will come to realize this or if they are going to continue on this path that I can only see ending in the ultimate demise of the Western Art Music tradition [here at UCSD, and then perhaps beyond, if other institutions fail to make the necessary steps & compromises].
Anyways, I had a lot of fun in this class. 3 hours always seemed to fly by every week, and it was a pleasure to be a part of this class - lots of debate, confusion, and laughter. Perfect. It was a great way to end my undergraduate career at UCSD & I will miss this class and all y'all MUS 110ers. Seriously, you guys were pretty damn cool. I only wish we got to know each other even better - 10 weeks is far too short.
Cheers,
Eunah
