<p>Here is a reality check for all of us musicians and parents who have invested a lot of time and money into the serious pursuit of serious music: The majority of audiences do not want to be serious. They just want to be entertained. </p>
<p>I believe that anybody who wants to make a living in music nowadays is going to have to think way outside the traditional box. Performers of the future are going to have to understand that for better or worse, young audiences of today crave entertainment, especially if it is visual and interactive. And they have a lot shorter attention span than their parents and grandparents. Sadly, I don’t think this is going to change any time soon, or ever at all.</p>
<p>So, Mezzo’sMama, I think it would be a great idea for Mick Jagger to judge a violin competition! That is exactly the type of thinking outside the box that is needed. I agree with the posters above: Think how many more people might learn to appreciate the violin if that happened? Then maybe once we hook them we could get them in to see the symphony, or just continue to find ways to keep them entertained. Bottom line: they are buying tickets.</p>