Login | Register

Reader bemoans changes to classical radio
Friday July 25 2008 Dear editor,
By now many of you may be aware of the profound changes that are taking place at CBC Radio 2.  
This is the national service that has been renowned for decades for the quality of its classical music programming.  
Sadly, in a misguided effort to become relevant to a specific demographic, Radio 2 is to assume a more commercial focus. Classical, or art music, programming will be consigned to the mid-day where it will no longer be accessible to most working people and children.
As of this fall, classical music programming will be cut from 120 hours/week to 25 hours, there will be no Young Performers’ or Young Composers’ Competition, there will be a significant deficit of hosts, producers and engineers with skills in the area of classical music broadcasting, and there will no longer be a national radio orchestra solely committed to commissioning and performing new Canadian work.
There have already been a number of rallies around the country protesting these changes and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recently advised CBC management to take another look at their proposed strategies for Radio 2.
If you care about the preservation and nurturing of excellence, if you care about stimulating artistic creativity in world full of popular entertainment, if you care about providing an opportunity for our country’s young people to learn about its immense artistic legacy, as well as an opportunity for Canadians in every community to access classical music, then please investigate the work that many of this country’s classical artists and organizations are undertaking at www.standonguardforcbc.ca.
We owe it to the Glenn Goulds and the Maureen Forresters of our past and to the young prodigies learning their first piano sonatas and arias in every community— large and small.  We must all stand on guard for the best and the brightest that Canada has to offer.   
Richard A. Marsella,
Georgetown

North Peel Media Group Newspapers: The Brampton Guardian Caledon Enterprise Independent & Free Press Orangeville Banner