Signed, Sealed, Delivered in Grant Park on Tuesday

I was in Grant Park Tuesday night for the big event, and it was the most thrilling experience you can imagine.  Besides the electricity and unbridled joy of the occasion, it was about 90% young people.  All races, all nationalities, all income levels.  They were powered by hope, and their energy was infectious. I couldn’t help but think that this was an entire generation of computer-savvy kids, who are looking for answers and who want something our generation hasn’t given them.

You know where I’m going with this. What have we – in classical music radio – done for these kids?  Do we give them hope and encouragement?  Have we reached them through their own media?  Did we give them a chance to learn about classical music in school?  Have we gone to where they are and revealed to them something that has inspired people for hundreds of years?

The whole crowd was singing along with the rock songs at Obama’s big party.  They all knew the words.  Will those songs survive for 300 years like Bach’s and Handel’s music has?

I didn’t get depressed, because it’s impossible to be depressed over such an amazing group of youngsters.  I just wonder if some of us in classical radio could use a shot of Obama’s big thinking about diversity, inclusion, and empowerment.

Robert Lynch, CEO and President of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund writes in an email:

The historic election of Sen. Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States will have tremendous impact on the nation’s arts community, public schools, and creative workforce. His commitment to arts and arts education on the campaign trail is just a preview of what his administration can accomplish.  President-Elect Obama demonstrates the leadership and vision to advance the arts in America through investing in more arts education in public schools, advocating for increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, promoting cultural diplomacy, and supporting artists rights.

And just when I was thinking we’re not doing enough to reach the kids, guess who showed up at Orchestra Hall this morning — Michelle Obama with one of her daughters (I didn’t see which one).  They were there for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra youth concert.

There’s HOPE!