This is how I'm proving that DCUM is a bad place to ask questions about classical music:

[Anonymous]

1. No
3. No
5. No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit?

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it?

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever?

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras?

6. If so, what years?

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

Yes, OP, you've shown us how very very special you are. Would you like a pat on the head?

[Anonymous]

1. Yes; 2. Age seven through adulthood;3&4 not applicable. Also parent to several serious string students.

[Anonymous]

This and the recent wine thread are good reminders that the worst snobs are people with a little knowledge and no love of their subject.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This and the recent wine thread are good reminders that the worst snobs are people with a little knowledge and no love of their subject.

The OPs of both threads seem fairly knowledgeable, so no. Speak for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and the recent wine thread are good reminders that the worst snobs are people with a little knowledge and no love of their subject.

The OPs of both threads seem fairly knowledgeable, so no. Speak for yourself.

Hi OP!

[Anonymous]

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?

Yes, violin.

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit?

Age 3 through college, haven't ever officially quit but don't really have time to practice anymore.

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it?

All four years, but HS public school orchestras are often of poor quality, so I don't know what this is supposed to demonstrate. Our music director chose a lot of concerto grossos and pieces with major concertmaster solos so that I and the other 2-3 good players did most of the hard stuff while everyone else made background noise.

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever?

What top orchestra? There was only in my MCPS high school.

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras?

Yes.

6. If so, what years?

Every year I was eligible, so 7th through 12th grade. I also did All-Eastern in 12th. And I went to the fancy expensive audition camps in the summer like Meadowmount.

Seriously, what is the point of this post? I have an extensive classical music background. My grandfather, mother, and aunt all played professionally. The DC area is FULL of people and families like mine. Have you seen how competitive AYP and MCYO have gotten over the years? We have Strathmore and the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap. This is hardly a classical music wasteland.

[Anonymous]

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument? YES, CELLO in orchestra; TRUMPET in marching band, FRENCH HORN in concert band

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? CELLO started age 9, still playing with a chamber music group in my early 60s

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES and ALSO BAND

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? ONLY ONE ORCHESTRA; PLAYED ALL FOUR YEARS

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? THIS WAS NOT AN OPTION BUT I PARTICIPATED IN A DISTRICT-WIDE ORCHESTRA

6. If so, what years? ALL 4

As with others, I question what you are trying to prove here. Just because someone does (or does not) play an orchestral instrument does not necessarily qualify them (or disqualify them) to appreciate and know a lot about classical music. I also grew up in a household where classical music was being listened to constantly, so a great deal of my love and knowledge of classical music came from that regular early exposure. I did not provide this same exposure to my own children, and even though they played in orchestras, they did not develop a love of classical music.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. No
3. No
5. No

+1 but I played Mozart to my belly button for 10 months and now my kid is a classical music genius!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This and the recent wine thread are good reminders that the worst snobs are people with a little knowledge and no love of their subject.

The OPs of both threads seem fairly knowledgeable, so no. Speak for yourself.

But no love.

BTW, we are friends with several Germans and Austrians. No one knows and appreciates classical music like they do, and none of them seriously studied an instrument. They did grow up exposed to lots of music, especially live performances, in a culture that values it.

[Anonymous]

"NO" to all your questions. I can't play anything, but I did take 3 years of history of music which was mandatory in high school and came with my classical education.
Since you are so knowledgeable about classical music, tell us about 'most played living classical composer alive'. He might not be alive for too long as he is aging. His music is out of this world and he was in DC not long ago. Amazingly, the concert was also free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The C in DcUM doesnt stand for classical and M is not for music.

It started as a parenting site.

Why are you angry the site is not attracting masters of all knowledge?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?
YES

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? 8 THROUGH COLLEGE

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? SOPHOMORE

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? YES

6. If so, what years? JUNIOR AND SENIOR

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU THAT MY BEST FRIEND FROM COLLEGE IS JOSHUA BELL

Very nice, I'm sure, but in the classical music world, he's not that hot. There is a difference between the most effective marketers of themselves (your friend Joshua) and the ones who are truly, undeniably, the most gifted musicians of their generation - those usually don't have the selling temperament, but connaisseurs recognize them just the same.

you are a lunatic. LMAO are you in the subpar NSO?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?
YES

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? 8 THROUGH COLLEGE

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? SOPHOMORE

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? YES

6. If so, what years? JUNIOR AND SENIOR

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU THAT MY BEST FRIEND FROM COLLEGE IS JOSHUA BELL

Very nice, I'm sure, but in the classical music world, he's not that hot. There is a difference between the most effective marketers of themselves (your friend Joshua) and the ones who are truly, undeniably, the most gifted musicians of their generation - those usually don't have the selling temperament, but connaisseurs recognize them just the same.

OK, hot shot. You, yourself are either better trained/more talented than Joshua Bell, or you are not. If you aren't, then shut up and get over yourself.

I am voicing the opinions of a lot of very talented musicians, but that is not why that makes it true. Like in many other activities, expert reviewers don't need to excel at the activity itself. They need to be expert observers of the activity. So here, they need to to know the score inside out down to every last note with its particular inflection, they need to have listened to every major musician playing that same piece, they need to have technical knowledge of bowings, fingerings, anatomical details of movement during that piece, and also historical knowledge of the composer's intentions, the political and artistic context if applicable, the original soloist chosen to play the piece and why, as well as the arranger's intentions and how the composition of the current orchestra may differ from the original one.

Don't speak of what you don't know, PP.

there is a blog called slipped disc that is perfect for your ranting. or are you norman?

[Anonymous]

I played cello for 18 years, including college level.

I started piano when I was 3 and still play (in my 50's).

I have sung in choruses my entire life, and frequently soloed - with choral groups, in churches, etc...

I have a degree in voice and piano performance.

I think your premise is flawed and your attitude is obnoxious OP.