Music as Beer

In times of trouble arts organizations, like many businesses, try to move to safe ground. This often takes the form of standard repertoire; eschewing the adventurous, they move to programming just the classics. I think this is a mistake.

You may get a few people in the door with safe programming, but you keep them coming back with the interesting. I liken it to my recent exploration of the world of beer. Now I've always been pretty picky in the beer that I drink (Budweiser has not touched these lips in many a moon), but recently a friend introduced me to the wonders of a beer bar here in Sarasota called The Cock & Bull. Sitting on my bar stool I can travel the world of beer and whet my palette with a multitude of different tastes. With hundreds of different brews to choose from, I have experienced a new world and beer has changed from just a drink that I enjoy on a warm day, to one that I savor with great expectation.

Now I'm not equating Beethoven's Fifth with Budweiser, but I think there is a lesson to be drawn here. You have to nurture and develop a taste. Once you've lured them in the door (not an easy task I admit), I think you have to help them in their exploration of the obvious into the unknown. Everything will not be to their taste (I myself can't stand fruity beers) but part of the journey is sampling the incredible variety that is out there. Perhaps sticking with the usual is safe, a known quantity, but in the long-run is that what creates a long-lasting relationship?