Do Orchestras have a place in Modern Society?
With the rise of computer processing power and artificial intelligence, are orchestras a thing of the past? Orchestras originated in ancient Greece and have been a part of society since the 17th century. However, with the recent rise in popularity of Pop genre of music and the decline in popularity of classical music, it begs the question, are orchestras a dying practice?
Computers have advanced far beyond our imaginations, and anyone who has access to the proper software can make the next song to crack the top 100 Billboard charts. With the rise of AI as well, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real music and artificially generated music. However, the beauty of orchestras is that they can be considered as a team activity, which when put together can lead to something magical to listen to.
A community orchestra in the heart of Coventry consists of people who work in the mornings but perform at night all while raising money for charity. The Heart of England Cooperative Community Orchestra has been playing since the early 1900s and currently has more than 30 members. Allison McDonald, a cello player in the orchestra said, “As an adult learner, it is really good to learn something like music because it gets your brain thinking a bit differently. To be part of this, and to be making money and helping the community, is a really nice thing to do.”
But for some, playing an instrument is so much more than that, according to Jacob Philipson, a French horn player in the orchestra said, “Music is another form of expression without talking or dancing, and it has been part of my life for a long time.”
Mark Wooton, the conductor of the Coventry community orchestra explains that the aspect of human connection cannot yet be replicated by a machine, and that is what appeals to so many who listen to orchestras perform, “We get to experiment and try new things. We also get to push people to their limits, which is a little bit out of their comfort zone. Doing this gives them a bit of a challenge as well.”
The orchestra is also very diverse in terms of age groups, comprising of retired citizens as well young talent like teens. The future of classical music is uncertain; however, music in general breaks down barriers and can act as a method of communicating expressions without having to learn a language. One thing is for sure, the human element that an orchestra brings to a community cannot be replaced, which is why orchestras may be prevalent for the foreseeable future. By nurturing creativity, education, and social bonds, orchestras become pillars of vibrant, thriving communities.