I found this article to be a more pertinent analysis of why classical music is predominantly popular among “older” people, and also the factors that influence whether or not people enjoy listening to classical music given their different financial situations.
Why are Young People not Listening to Classical Music?
data from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1021633/classical-music-fans-worldwide-age/
And then, I send out a survey to my friends, also on reddit, trying to understand young people’s feeling on classical music.
This is the result for the survey.
It is clear from this survey that most young people have very limited knowledge of and exposure to classical music. Their comments on classical music can be seen in the background, where words like boring and obscure appear very frequently. In their descriptions, this is the main reason why they do not actively engage with classical music.
But happily, everyone is willing to try to listen to classical music, which is a good sign and opening.
I have recently found another good classical music project for young people, presented by the Royal Opera House – Young Roh.
–https://www.roh.org.uk/ticket-deals/young-roh
Anyone under the age of 25 who is authenticated can enjoy a ticket for £25 up to £186 (for seats with a good view), with 200 special young person places available for each performance. This ticketing channel opens a day before the official ticketing channel so that young people can choose their preferred seats.
I registered and authenticated almost immediately and purchased my special price tickets for September’s orea – DON GIOVANNI. I also told a few volunteers in London, under the age of 25, and look forward to working with them on this project in the future.(ticket canceled due to public event)
When I searched, I could not find an event or paper on exactly the same topic as mine; similar or related information can be found below and in bibliography.
Candlelight:
Live classical music cafe:
Bibliography:
Aigen, K., 2014. Music-Centered Music Therapy. Dallas, TX: Barcelona Publishers.
Antal, D., 2020. Central & Eastern European Music Industry Report 2020. London: Consolidated
Independent, London, United Kingdom. CEEMID, the Hague, the Netherlands.
BBC Music Events. 2022. BBC Proms. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
Bell, T.P., McIntyre, K.A. and Hadley, R. (2016) “Listening to classical music results in a positive correlation between spatial reasoning and mindfulness.,” Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain, 26(3), pp. 226–235. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/pmu0000139.
Caplin, W., 2001. Classical form. New York: Oxford University Press.
CutCommon | the new generation of classical music. 2022. Is classical music boring? | CutCommon. [online] Available at: <https://www.cutcommonmag.com/is-classical-music-boring/> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
Daniels, M., 2022. How Classical Music Is Becoming The Next Emerging Streaming Market. [online] Forbes. Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissamdaniels/2019/07/22/how-classical-music-is-becoming-the-next-emerging-streaming-market/> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
Darnley-Smith, R. and Patey, H.M. (2003) Music therapy. London: SAGE.
DINENAGE, C., n.d. Mu5ic By Num8bers.
Henley, D. and Jackson, S., n.d. Everything you ever wanted to know about classical music but were too afraid to ask.
Jopling, K., 2019. The Classical Music Market.
Laksmidewi, A.A.A.P. and Dewi, V.T. (2021) Classic and traditional music role in cognitive function and critically ill patients, IntechOpen. IntechOpen. Available at: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/77256 (Accessed: November 21, 2022).
Magazine, Y. (2022) Music and the influence on youth : How pop culture affects teens, YEET MAGAZINE. YEET MAGAZINE. Available at: https://www.yeetmagazine.com/music-and-the-influence-on-youth-how-pop-culture-affects-teens/ (Accessed: November 21, 2022).
Music Business Association. 2022. MIDiA Report: The Classical Music Market – Streaming’s Next Genre? – Music Business Association. [online] Available at: <https://musicbiz.org/news/midia-report-the-classical-music-market-streamings-next-genre/> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
my/maSCENA. 2022. The Science Behind Why Classical Music Is Good for Mental Health | my/maSCENA. [online] Available at: <https://myscena.org/newswire/the-science-behind-why-classical-music-is-good-for-mental-health/> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
Verywell Mind. 2022. What to Know About Music Therapy. [online] Available at: <https://www.verywellmind.com/benefits-of-music-therapy-89829> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
Off The Hook Arts. 2020. Why are Young People not Listening to Classical Music?. [online] Available at: <https://offthehookarts.org/18119-2/> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
Silverman, M.J. (2022) “Research in music therapy for mental health,” Music Therapy in Mental Health for Illness Management and Recovery, pp. 307–348. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198865285.003.0014.
the Guardian. 2022. Joe Queenan on why he thinks new classical music is absolute torture. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/09/classicalmusicandopera.culture> [Accessed 30 August 2022].
2001. Youth, sustainable consumption ptterns and life styles. [Paris]: [UNESCO].