There are umpteen music gigs and bands performing at different venues in the city every other day. Restaurants and coffee shops too have live performances, especially in the late evenings, but there don't seem to be enough venues that promote Western classical music in the city, rue musicians.
There lack of adequate spaces and funds make hosting western classical concerts a challenging proposition. Barring a few prominent music schools, such as Bangalore School of Music, The Majolly Music Trust and William Joseph International Academy for Performing Arts, which keep the spirit of Western classical music alive, not many groups seem to be doing much to promote it.
Sibi Venkataraju, co-founder, Toit Foundation for the Arts, has been instrumental in organising and hosting several Western classical concerts. He thinks that while other genres have smaller, more intimate venues like bars and cafes, the nature of Western classical music makes it difficult to be played in such noisy environments.
"We have relatively fewer venues like Alliance de Francaise and the Bangalore School of Music Auditorium, but these are still limited options and are not geographically very accessible with traffic problems," says Sibi. He says this problem could be solved if classical musicians perform a mix of serious classical pieces along with more relatable music like classical versions of other genres of music, like famous rock numbers or movie scores. "This may be slightly more acceptable to audiences in cafes or bars. This may be a way of bringing more people to appreciate classical music and classical musicians — people who have spent years mastering a music instrument — and don't simply make music from a computer," he adds.
Organisations such as Bangalore School of Music have been doing their bit to promote Western classical music. They have been regularly hosting concerts and bringing down musicians from overseas which gives local talent an insight into the culture and musical genius of these artistes. M R Jagadeesh, director, Bangalore School of Music and founder of MoonArra, feels one doesn't see too many Western classical performances here because of want of good venues and a steady flow of good performers.
"Western classical music is meant for a niche audience and it's not easy for people to grasp its finer details, unless one has a good understanding of it," reasons Jagadeesh. He also feels increased corporate support and funding to promote the genre could go a long way in encouraging local talent.
Under the banner of Western classical music are opera performers, musicians who are a part of orchestral performances, choral groups and solo performers. Jonas Olsson, a voice coach at Bangalore School of Music and head of choral group called 'Bangalore Men', who perform Western classical compositions and those from the Renaissance era, says, "There's no dearth of good Western classical musicians but certainly a shortage of good teachers. A blend of good performers and equally good teachers is necessary to popularise this genre," reason Jonas. His group 'Bangalore Men' regularly perform in the city.
Western classical music is faced with stiff competition from musicians who specialise and promote digital, Bollywood and rock music. "Western classical music is always performed in its purest form with no room for contamination. What is needed to make this form more acceptable is to create awareness about it and make courses available to those interested in understanding the genre," feels Ashley William, president and resident conductor of the Indian National Symphony Orchestra. He says one doesn't really need to learn the form to understand it. "Music has a universal language and it is time for Western classical musicians to shed their formal image and become more friendly," he suggests.
Agreeing with Ashley is Neecia Majolly, who has dabbled in both Western classical and alternative rock. "Western classical music cannot be played in an informal setting; it needs a formal atmosphere. There are enough groups who specialise in this genre but somebody who intends to make a living from performing Western classical music would indeed find it a challenge unless they decide to balance performing and teaching," she says.
Neecia agrees that funding and support for Western classical music needs to be increased.
![]( "Perfect blend Ashley William Joseph with members of Indian National Symphony Orchestra.")
There are umpteen music gigs and bands performing at different venues in the city every other day. Restaurants and coffee shops too have live performances, especially in the late evenings, but there don’t seem to be enough venues that promote Western classical music in the city, rue musicians.
There lack of adequate spaces and funds make hosting western classical concerts a challenging proposition. Barring a few prominent music schools, such as Bangalore School of Music, The Majolly Music Trust and William Joseph International Academy for Performing Arts, which keep the spirit of Western classical music alive, not many groups seem to be doing much to promote it.
Sibi Venkataraju, co-founder, Toit Foundation for the Arts, has been instrumental in organising and hosting several Western classical concerts. He thinks that while other genres have smaller, more intimate venues like bars and cafes, the nature of Western classical music makes it difficult to be played in such noisy environments.
"We have relatively fewer venues like Alliance de Francaise and the Bangalore School of Music Auditorium, but these are still limited options and are not geographically very accessible with traffic problems,” says Sibi. He says this problem could be solved if classical musicians perform a mix of serious classical pieces along with more relatable music like classical versions of other genres of music, like famous rock numbers or movie scores. "This may be slightly more acceptable to audiences in cafes or bars. This may be a way of bringing more people to appreciate classical music and classical musicians — people who have spent years mastering a music instrument — and don’t simply make music from a computer,” he adds.
Organisations such as Bangalore School of Music have been doing their bit to promote Western classical music. They have been regularly hosting concerts and bringing down musicians from overseas which gives local talent an insight into the culture and musical genius of these artistes. M R Jagadeesh, director, Bangalore School of Music and founder of MoonArra, feels one doesn’t see too many Western classical performances here because of want of good venues and a steady flow of good performers.
"Western classical music is meant for a niche audience and it’s not easy for people to grasp its finer details, unless one has a good understanding of it,” reasons Jagadeesh. He also feels increased corporate support and funding to promote the genre could go a long way in encouraging local talent.
Under the banner of Western classical music are opera performers, musicians who are a part of orchestral performances, choral groups and solo performers. Jonas Olsson, a voice coach at Bangalore School of Music and head of choral group called 'Bangalore Men’, who perform Western classical compositions and those from the Renaissance era, says, "There’s no dearth of good Western classical musicians but certainly a shortage of good teachers. A blend of good performers and equally good teachers is necessary to popularise this genre,” reason Jonas. His group 'Bangalore Men’ regularly perform in the city.
Western classical music is faced with stiff competition from musicians who specialise and promote digital, Bollywood and rock music. "Western classical music is always performed in its purest form with no room for contamination. What is needed to make this form more acceptable is to create awareness about it and make courses available to those interested in understanding the genre,” feels Ashley William, president and resident conductor of the Indian National Symphony Orchestra. He says one doesn’t really need to learn the form to understand it. "Music has a universal language and it is time for Western classical musicians to shed their formal image and become more friendly,” he suggests.
Agreeing with Ashley is Neecia Majolly, who has dabbled in both Western classical and alternative rock. "Western classical music cannot be played in an informal setting; it needs a formal atmosphere. There are enough groups who specialise in this genre but somebody who intends to make a living from performing Western classical music would indeed find it a challenge unless they decide to balance performing and teaching,” she says.
Neecia agrees that funding and support for Western classical music needs to be increased.
There lack of adequate spaces and funds make hosting western classical concerts a challenging proposition. Barring a few prominent music schools, such as Bangalore School of Music, The Majolly Music Trust and William Joseph International Academy for Performing Arts, which keep the spirit of Western classical music alive, not many groups seem to be doing much to promote it.
Sibi Venkataraju, co-founder, Toit Foundation for the Arts, has been instrumental in organising and hosting several Western classical concerts. He thinks that while other genres have smaller, more intimate venues like bars and cafes, the nature of Western classical music makes it difficult to be played in such noisy environments.
"We have relatively fewer venues like Alliance de Francaise and the Bangalore School of Music Auditorium, but these are still limited options and are not geographically very accessible with traffic problems," says Sibi. He says this problem could be solved if classical musicians perform a mix of serious classical pieces along with more relatable music like classical versions of other genres of music, like famous rock numbers or movie scores. "This may be slightly more acceptable to audiences in cafes or bars. This may be a way of bringing more people to appreciate classical music and classical musicians — people who have spent years mastering a music instrument — and don't simply make music from a computer," he adds.
Organisations such as Bangalore School of Music have been doing their bit to promote Western classical music. They have been regularly hosting concerts and bringing down musicians from overseas which gives local talent an insight into the culture and musical genius of these artistes. M R Jagadeesh, director, Bangalore School of Music and founder of MoonArra, feels one doesn't see too many Western classical performances here because of want of good venues and a steady flow of good performers.
"Western classical music is meant for a niche audience and it's not easy for people to grasp its finer details, unless one has a good understanding of it," reasons Jagadeesh. He also feels increased corporate support and funding to promote the genre could go a long way in encouraging local talent.
Under the banner of Western classical music are opera performers, musicians who are a part of orchestral performances, choral groups and solo performers. Jonas Olsson, a voice coach at Bangalore School of Music and head of choral group called 'Bangalore Men', who perform Western classical compositions and those from the Renaissance era, says, "There's no dearth of good Western classical musicians but certainly a shortage of good teachers. A blend of good performers and equally good teachers is necessary to popularise this genre," reason Jonas. His group 'Bangalore Men' regularly perform in the city.
Western classical music is faced with stiff competition from musicians who specialise and promote digital, Bollywood and rock music. "Western classical music is always performed in its purest form with no room for contamination. What is needed to make this form more acceptable is to create awareness about it and make courses available to those interested in understanding the genre," feels Ashley William, president and resident conductor of the Indian National Symphony Orchestra. He says one doesn't really need to learn the form to understand it. "Music has a universal language and it is time for Western classical musicians to shed their formal image and become more friendly," he suggests.
Agreeing with Ashley is Neecia Majolly, who has dabbled in both Western classical and alternative rock. "Western classical music cannot be played in an informal setting; it needs a formal atmosphere. There are enough groups who specialise in this genre but somebody who intends to make a living from performing Western classical music would indeed find it a challenge unless they decide to balance performing and teaching," she says.
Neecia agrees that funding and support for Western classical music needs to be increased.
There are umpteen music gigs and bands performing at different venues in the city every other day. Restaurants and coffee shops too have live performances, especially in the late evenings, but there don’t seem to be enough venues that promote Western classical music in the city, rue musicians. There lack of adequate spaces and funds make hosting western classical concerts a challenging proposition. Barring a few prominent music schools, such as Bangalore School of Music, The Majolly Music Trust and William Joseph International Academy for Performing Arts, which keep the spirit of Western classical music alive, not many groups seem to be doing much to promote it.
Sibi Venkataraju, co-founder, Toit Foundation for the Arts, has been instrumental in organising and hosting several Western classical concerts. He thinks that while other genres have smaller, more intimate venues like bars and cafes, the nature of Western classical music makes it difficult to be played in such noisy environments.
"We have relatively fewer venues like Alliance de Francaise and the Bangalore School of Music Auditorium, but these are still limited options and are not geographically very accessible with traffic problems,” says Sibi. He says this problem could be solved if classical musicians perform a mix of serious classical pieces along with more relatable music like classical versions of other genres of music, like famous rock numbers or movie scores. "This may be slightly more acceptable to audiences in cafes or bars. This may be a way of bringing more people to appreciate classical music and classical musicians — people who have spent years mastering a music instrument — and don’t simply make music from a computer,” he adds.
Organisations such as Bangalore School of Music have been doing their bit to promote Western classical music. They have been regularly hosting concerts and bringing down musicians from overseas which gives local talent an insight into the culture and musical genius of these artistes. M R Jagadeesh, director, Bangalore School of Music and founder of MoonArra, feels one doesn’t see too many Western classical performances here because of want of good venues and a steady flow of good performers.
"Western classical music is meant for a niche audience and it’s not easy for people to grasp its finer details, unless one has a good understanding of it,” reasons Jagadeesh. He also feels increased corporate support and funding to promote the genre could go a long way in encouraging local talent.
Under the banner of Western classical music are opera performers, musicians who are a part of orchestral performances, choral groups and solo performers. Jonas Olsson, a voice coach at Bangalore School of Music and head of choral group called 'Bangalore Men’, who perform Western classical compositions and those from the Renaissance era, says, "There’s no dearth of good Western classical musicians but certainly a shortage of good teachers. A blend of good performers and equally good teachers is necessary to popularise this genre,” reason Jonas. His group 'Bangalore Men’ regularly perform in the city.
Western classical music is faced with stiff competition from musicians who specialise and promote digital, Bollywood and rock music. "Western classical music is always performed in its purest form with no room for contamination. What is needed to make this form more acceptable is to create awareness about it and make courses available to those interested in understanding the genre,” feels Ashley William, president and resident conductor of the Indian National Symphony Orchestra. He says one doesn’t really need to learn the form to understand it. "Music has a universal language and it is time for Western classical musicians to shed their formal image and become more friendly,” he suggests.
Agreeing with Ashley is Neecia Majolly, who has dabbled in both Western classical and alternative rock. "Western classical music cannot be played in an informal setting; it needs a formal atmosphere. There are enough groups who specialise in this genre but somebody who intends to make a living from performing Western classical music would indeed find it a challenge unless they decide to balance performing and teaching,” she says.
Neecia agrees that funding and support for Western classical music needs to be increased.