He also brought up the point about bloggers not being paid
for what they write about. This only stresses why we bloggers continue to do what we do - for the love of blogging and writing about what we are passionate about.
Another point raised, which I also discussed in my talk, was
that bloggers are not bogged down to anyone’s editorial policy and we have the
freedom to write as we please, and set our own rules. He also highlighted the most obvious thing, which we sometimes forget, in that music is a
powerful force in our lives - it
‘grounds’ us and is, perhaps, another significant reason why we should talk,
write and blog more about it.
In my presentation, I glanced over the newspaper and print landscape and
how they spend more time writing about concerts and operas by ‘the big names’,
leaving behind new and up-and-coming artists and small-scale productions. For
whatever reason(s), these major tabloids may have for not covering them, I
argued that this was where bloggers could fill the void.
Glossing over my
background in classical music (or lack of), it brought me onto my point about not
using technical jargon or music terminology in my blog - deliberately. I simply don’t
understand it, plus my blog is geared towards engaging new audiences to opera or
classical music. Bombarding them with specialists language would
put them off.
I also spoke about why I wrote honest reviews in my blog (both
positive and negative) even if I am offered a complimentary ticket to see a
performance. There’s this misconception that bloggers have special relationship
with PRs and performers and that they are promised free tickets to write a
positive review of their show. For me, that’s entirely false. Then, I voiced
how the characteristics of blogging are very similar to journalism in that they
still need to have the knowledge, the ability to research and skills to build a
consistent voice – in essence, blogging was a bit of a training ground for
future journalists.
Moving onto Jessica, she spoke about how her background as a journalist and the driving forces behind her writing which stemmed from her desire to ‘capture and preserve the miraculous effect’ of music. Speaking as a professional music journalist, she felt incredibly lucky to be where she was, doing what she does, like interviewing her favourite musicians.
Moving onto Jessica, she spoke about how her background as a journalist and the driving forces behind her writing which stemmed from her desire to ‘capture and preserve the miraculous effect’ of music. Speaking as a professional music journalist, she felt incredibly lucky to be where she was, doing what she does, like interviewing her favourite musicians.
Moving onto her blogging experience, she addressed the impact the internet has had on music writer’s reach and that sharing passion and knowledge on classical music was making a huge impact. She also listed some interesting features of blogging including how personal, informal, immediate and spontaneous it was, as part of our culture of ‘instant gratification’. She also made an insightful point about the pernicious idea that classical music was elitist and that it was down to bloggers to change the discourse.
Attending the #MusicIntoWords discussion event about classical music pic.twitter.com/UrEXIcu63m— Christian Hoskins (@aquilanebula) February 2, 2016
(Photo by Christian Hoskins)
Tilden briefly spoke about her position in the Guardian and illuminated
the limitations and pressures of writing about music compared to the past, such
as considering of the word count, the set number of articles and reviews they're allowed to publish - mostly online - and other various financial cuts.
— Music Into Words (@musintowords) February 2, 2016
There were some interesting questions asked by the audience in the Q & A session:
- What effect does academics have in writing and blogging about classical
music?
- Whether classical music bloggers should branch out and blog about other genres or stick in their bubble?
- Who is the imaginary reader that bloggers write for?
- Compared to San Francisco (where an audience member observed the lack of reviews after attending a classical music concert), why and how do other countries or
cities blog and write about classical music concerts?
- Do blogger wish they had a subeditor?
There were many more questions asked and I'm afraid that I can't remember all of them, but please feel free to note them down below.
My coverage of last night's @musintowords #musicintowords @CrossEyedPiano @sbrackenborough https://t.co/te8V9xtZbj pic.twitter.com/eqrN0tUpzW— Mary Grace Nguyen (@MaryGNguyen) February 3, 2016
The Music into Words event was the first of its kind. It aims to bridge the gap by allowing curious and avid classical music lovers to come together and discuss important questions about the art form and its industry. More Music into Words events are soon to come - watch this space!
This lively Q & A session and its inquisitive audience helped drive an ongoing dialogue that will continue to fascinate people.
I'd like to thank Frances, Simon, Mark Berry (who was expected to speak but had to pull out last moment), Tilden, Jessica, Senate House and the audience for making the event completely worthwhile. Keep on blogging, keep on writing and keep on loving classical music!
Oh, please join the Music into Words Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter.
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