I have had a chance over many years to consider what it is that BANDSKOOL should be: what it should represent, what its ideals are; and to whom its services should appeal.
Well, this much is true: BANDSKOOL is about bringing people together - musicians - to create and perform music together. Hence the focus on bands, ensembles...call them what you will.
Of course, we have been living in challenging times recently that have compromised that ideal; and so other ways via the internet have been pursued that allow us to interact in cyberspace instead. However, I look forward to a return to pre-lockdown conditions - when we can all get back together again to make music. Surely it is things like that which make life worthwhile?
Whilst I am not a technophobe, or averse to technology, there has been a creeping trend over an extended period of history; which has to do with the way technology often makes people redundant. This happens in the musical field as much as elsewhere: Consider how music technology has replaced musicians both in the creation, production and performance of music. Why has the DJ became so celebrated? I personally dislike DJ's because I see it as a 'cop out' - driven by those that never had the inclination, patience or perhaps talent to take the time and effort to learn an instrument. And as for those that provide the performance opportunities, how much easier and possibly cheaper it is to hire a DJ than a band? Surely it has all been a race to the bottom with music manufacturers also weighing in with their products designed to pander to trends? It has become a thing. I'm not going to blame any one quarter for how it has all ended up; but it has to an extent appropriated mainstream culture over the last 40 years or more: bit by bit. I see musicians jumping on the bandwagon - part time DJ's if you know what I mean. Sure, it is interesting how it all evolves and the decision making proesses of the individual brain. Sure. We don't necessarily end up in a good place now do we? Billions of people making decisions that seem rational to them as individuals adds up to an net outcome that no one wants.
So, I've said a few contentious things there. Why not? I see it from the perspective of one who is a musician - a player of 'real' instruments and one who believes that musicians should be brought together. I don't think that technology necessarily encourages that. Often it is more about replacing musicians. Perhaps we should end up with robots, holograms or just a playlist left to play?
No...BANDSKOOL is about bringing people together; and anything that isolates human beings is a mistake. And no, I'm not saying that technology necessarily does this: it depends on how it is used.
The race to the 'bottom' means we often end up in an unfortunate place with outcomes that no one would want....
