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Books Worth Reading

It's incredible that so many millions of Harry Potter books have been recently sold.. That's not my cup of tea. The following is a new book that is very interesting, motivating, and most worthwhile to read.

The name of this book on the top of my summer reading list is:
The Artist as Citizen by Joseph W. Polisi

The dilemma of artists being involved in their community in addition to spending hours practicing their instruments can be solved. It requires discipline. This generation of Juilliard students have learned important lessons enabling them to be Aritsts as Citizens. Polisi makes the case for knowing who your audience is and being an active citizen using your talent and time to make a difference in your community. After 9-11, the students of Juilliard performed concerts throughout New York City bringing comfort and joy through music.

This fabulous book is a collection of Joseph W. Polisi's articles and speeches made during his two-decade tenure as president of Julliard. While reading the speeches, I felt as if I was right there at the commencement ceremonies at Julliard. His passion for the arts, fascinating stories, and intelligent analysis of our musical culture were an inspiration and breath of fresh air.

Here is a statement Polisi makes in a lecture on February 16, 1988 at California State University,

"The American entertainment industry has an enormous financial stake in its influence as a world mediator of taste. Although I am not contending that American recording, television, and cinema leaders have consciously blurred the boundaries between so-called high art and entertainment, American society is faced today with the growing problem that most of its citizens are not educated in the arts and have little appreciation for its civilizing qualities."

He ends this lecture with this provocative statement that hits the nail on the head.

"To ensure that art remains the important civilizing element that it must be in our society requires not only artistic leadership and determination, but also nationwide educational programs that enable each individual to understand the classical performing arts and see their place in our culture. Government and educational leaders have rarely committed themselves to the premise that art enriches our environment and each of us as individuals.

Far from being an abstract and naïve argument, this concept, if realized, can greatly help this nation and our neighbors on this planet to understand the beauty of our existence and the necessity to enhance the quality of the human experience."

Meeting Dr. Polisi at a recent music symposium in New York City and hearing his insightful presentation, was the highlight of my summer. Joseph W. Polisi is a musical statesman and the most distinguished educator. . . in my book.

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