Roller Coaster Riders and Classical Music Concert Goers
Hello there, how are you? I can't believe it's been several weeks since my Christmas vacation in Orlando. One of the most memorable parts of the vacation is definitely the roller coaster experience. I still remember shedding a few tears after my first trip on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride in Epcot because it was that good! Why "first"? Because I went back to the line for a second ride!
Now, if that's how each classical music concertgoer feels after every concert, how great would that be? Some administrations blame the "outdated" programs for the failure to attract and retain audiences. Yes, a Disney movie night may lead to a fresh influx of audience, but how often do they return?
Reflecting on my 2023 roller coaster experiences, I wonder if we should focus more on the concert experience rather than specific pieces played on the programs. Roller coasters have evolved beyond their core as "really fast carts that go up and down." However, not much evolution can be seen in the classical music experience.
Today's roller coasters are no longer just engineering wonders. Firstly, they incorporate different themes, immersing riders from the moment they enter the line until they exit the ride. For example, riders walk past "breathing" velociraptors while waiting in line. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind's waiting hall has a grand, universe-themed ceiling worth capturing in a selfie! Not to mention the thematic elements in the ride design itself. While it's challenging to change the structure of a concert hall, the importance of theme can be emphasized through purposeful programming, announcements, lighting effects, or even innovative stage and projection designs.
As riders approach the ride, a screen plays a video combining themes (such as the "mission" of the ride) with step-by-step instructions for boarding and safety. Sometimes, audience participation is encouraged in a separate scene. This engaging combination of mission statement and educational segment is lacking in the classical music concert experience. A strong sense of mission gathers concertgoers, turning passive listening into active exploration. An educational experience appealing to a wide range of age groups would spark interest and enhance the listening experience. When I saw even young children in line for rides engrossed in the screen's information, I realized we were behind in creating a captivating educational system for concertgoers. Hence, I question the status quo of program notes. Currently, they are filled with high-end vocabulary and overly elaborate explanations that challenge the audience's attention span and blur the "mission." They try hard to convey information without understanding the audience's needs. What about something more concise but highlighting the "mission" and explaining concepts? What about a different layout instead of an essay? What about reducing technical terms and finding a balance between writing for an unfamiliar audience and connoisseurs? Besides creating new types of program notes, administrations should also seek fundamental changes in how they introduce concerts and educate the audience through other efforts.
So, what happens when the ride starts? The cool thing about roller coasters is that riders have no idea what will happen next. Today's roller coasters maximize efforts to surprise the audience. From thrilling backward launches to blasting music on the coasters, to ever-changing visual effects that seem like they're from a dream, riders shed tears because they didn't know they could experience something like that. Classical music already has an advantage here because great music playing is about taking the audience on an unexpected ride. However, it would be great to create an exciting flow in the concert experience instead of the rigid "thank you, next" format. What about a blindfold concert experience where the audience only uses their ears? What about a concert where the audience doesn't know the program beforehand?
What I'm suggesting here are multiple ways administrations and musicians could enhance the concertgoer experience, from creating a clear theme to encouraging mission participation and musical exploration, and bringing the unexpected. Relying solely on great music-making isn't enough, and we must continue to evolve our concert experience design. Great roller coasters are much more than well-built railroad tracks.