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Our Vision of Radio 2
By kkossow | October 1, 2008
Summary of CBC Radio 2 “Vision” statements:
Stand on Guard for the CBC National Coalition requested “Vision” statements from a wide span of respondents protesting against the current restructuring of Radio 2, from academics to performance musicians, from Radio 2 audience members to arts managers. This document is a collation of voluntary submissions of visions for CBC Radio 2.
Premise:
Respondents were asked to state their personal vision of what they desired for the character of Radio 2 without making any reference to current broadcasting, or compromising with it. The concept was to discover what members of the Radio 2 audience really desired as an ideal cultural channel, without reference or compromise to the changed format of Radio 2 as it has existed since March 2007. A substantially repetitive pattern showed itself after 10 individual vision statements, making it clear that there was a common framework of key expectations: excellence, expertise and availability. However, many respondents went beyond these parameters. Some of the articulate commentary from the vision statements is included below after the analysis.
Overall Desires for CBC Radio 2: General Themes:
Cultural Focus:
- The focus perceived for the channel is definitely upon music, but is culturally embracing in nature, although there isn’t universal agreement as to what this would include.
- The majority identify the focus on classical music, characterized as: “classical”, “serious”, “universal”. Further, they agree on wanting a wide spectrum of classical time periods (Palestrina to R. Murray Schafer) and genres (vocal, choral, chamber, orchestra, etc.) represented.
- Music that has lasted the test of time: challenging, not just the typical top favourites, but music that is “reliably great”, as well as “new” music that is anticipated to have value over time.
- Possibly some “classic” music of other genres, notably jazz and “global” music (particularly representing Canadian ethnic communities), but also possibly blues or other forms, but only “reliably great” music of those genres.
- Not only CDs, but many more re-broadcasts of live performances, including music festivals across Canada, young performers in competition.
- Possible inclusion of other art forms: literature readings, plays, poetry, discussions of the arts, with regular arts reports: Show “Canada as a country of writers and musicians”.
Other issues regarding format/character of the station:
- Classical repertoire 16 to 24 hours a day.
- Hosted by people who are informed, who understand and “value” the music, and are able to educate the audience regarding the history and context of the music and composers they are playing.
- Strong focus on showcasing Canadian composers and performers: Show Canadian culture, overall (“What Canada is” and what it strives to be), as well as the “best” from the rest of the world.
- Go back to the way it “used to be” before all of the cancelled programs and host departures, when there was some gravitas in the programming. This does not mean necessarily the same programs, but that level of excellence in content and announcer expertise.
- NOT commercial in content: feature music that is not currently available commercially to most people in Canada.
- One genre at a time, so that people know when to tune in for their favourite type of program.
- Generate serious efforts at audience building, including programs that introduce children to music at times when children could be listening, as well as developing school outreach programs.
Other investments/activities:
- Reinstate the CBC Radio orchestra, with full control over programming, performers, etc.
- Reinstate the young performers, young composers and choral competitions, ensuring that they are serious, not “reality shows”, to stimulate and support future growth in Canadian culture.
- High quality news broadcasting (i.e., return to simulcasting CBC 1 news at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm).
- Possibly some repeats of good CBC 1 programs at different times (i.e, “Ideas”).
- Reinstate production of high quality recordings of Canadian compositions and performers, and maintain archives for future use.
Expectations of Management:
- Must be accountable to the public, both in general, and specifically to those who are regular listeners of CBC 2: regular participation in “listener panels” or some other forum.
- open and transparent in their dealings.
- appointed and/or hired (as appropriate) with expectation of possessing suitable knowledge and sensitivity to culture.
Excerpts from Respondent Commentary
Many respondents commented on the role of an ideal cultural station in bringing the best of Canada’s considerable cultural offerings to the public:
Dr. Stephen Phillips, Department of Political Science,
Langara College, Vancouver:
“Canada is fortunate to have many accomplished and respected symphony orchestras and opera companies. The CBC should re-dedicate itself to bringing the performances of these Canadian ensembles to a wider audience. In so doing, the CBC would expose younger Canadians to a rich musical tradition that they might otherwise fail to experience.”
Many respondents deplored the unavailability of classical music to youth and children through mid-day scheduling. There was repeated recognition of the critical process of developing a new audience with appreciation of classical music as the responsibility of such an ideal cultural channel, and the statement that this is being prevented by current ghettoized scheduling of classical to mid-day hours.
Dr. Elizabeth Ann Spencer, Ottawa:
“I am so ashamed to live in Canada, and intensely angry that my children have so little opportunity to hear a wide variety of fabulous classical music - an opportunity that is seen as incredibly important (or simply taken for granted) in so many other developed and underdeveloped countries in the world.”
Marina Pinto Miller, Ph.D., Project Analyst, TD Bank, Toronto:
“I would really like this public broadcaster to fully understand that it has a public responsibility and a formative role in fostering the emergence of young minds and talents all over the country and nurturing audiences of all ages. And that this is a market niche that no one else is filling and it is something to be proud of.”
Sandor Weinacht, Engineer, Toronto:
“The exposure [to classical music] needs to be young, even though youths exposed to it may not appreciate it at the time…. With maturity…it allows them to understand a form of music which enriches their adult lives.”
A strong sense of loss was experienced at the lowering of standards that resulted from changes to the previous Radio 2 format, which took a more respectful, educated and in-depth approach to presenting classical music and cultural topics, with hosts who encouraged the audience to aspire to understand and participate in a love of classical music.
Dr. Philip Hall, Gynaecologist, Professor of Medicine
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg:
“My main themes will be in a sense exactly what they [CBC] have lost or are about to lose - intelligent reflection, appreciation of the qualities that make certain music endure and develop passionate international respect, and exposure… during daytime intervals, available to both young people and those whose daytime activities prevent their participation.”
John and Ursula Rempel, Senior Scholars,
Universtiy of Manitoba, Winnipeg:
“Leave it as it was!”
Comments were frequently made on the altered attitude which CBC management now displays in stepping back from a mentoring/fostering role for classical music and musicians, with Radio 2 used as a broadcasting platform, something that was historically accepted as a societal obligation until recently.
Andrew Dawes, Orford String Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet
Professor Emeritus University of British Columbia, Vancouver:
“I personally benefited enormously from the help of the CBC. Since doing my first tour for the Registered Music Teachers in 1957, the concerts and recordings done through CBC records to the last concerts I recorded in 2006, CBC was there to support, encourage and mentor. I wish fervently for the “Mother Corporation” to be the force that it has been for so many artists like myself…”
Germaine Warkentin, retired Professor, Toronto:
“I would also like to see the argument strongly presented that so-called ‘classical” music is a major international genre, that what we have been doing showed Canada’s face to the world brilliantly, and that we need to keep it up. The old CBC built a major national institution, and it should not be dismantled.”
The continuing importance of radio as a medium for classical music, as opposed to other new technology media received comment:
Marina Pinto Miller, Ph.D., Project Analyst, TD Bank, Toronto:
“I’d like to have this management understand that radio is not a dying medium - it is the one medium that a majority of people in the world are likely to have access to for no cost.”
Katherine Kossow, Opera singer and Market Analyst, Toronto:
“As one of those who is in the “older” age group, over 60, I do NOT want to be bombarded with reminders that if I turn on my computer (I mainly use it for work), and download to my IPOD (I don’t have one) there are many live broadcasts of classical music I can have. How stupid is that - to tell us that the audience is too old, but we can download PodCasts?”
Respondents rejected the idea that classical was a genre for an older audience:
Germaine Warkentin, retired Professor, Toronto: “The idea that this kind of programming is somehow for the elderly is ridiculous — and in any case, as someone recently pointed out, that is an audience that is growing, not disappearing!
High standards were expected of CBC management:
Marina Pinto Miller, Ph.D., Project Analyst, TD Bank, Toronto:
“A management that is ethical in practice, accountable to the needs and desires of the people who actually listen to it and educated in the material the station presents.”
Miriam Mittermaier, retired Professor, Toronto:
“Radio 2 would have its own head and perhaps its own Board –people with a strong commitment to art music. Producers with vision would be encouraged to work directly with artists. Accountability to the public would be established – not surveys designed to find out what is most superficially popular, but structures for genuine, in-depth exchange. (See the structures set up by the BBC.) Once these structures were in place, adequate multi-year funding would allow for long-term planning. A third network would be established for other types of music, probably in the digital format preferred by so many.”
In conclusion, the words of Miriam Mittermaier:
“Compared to the present situation, this sounds like an unrealistic dream, yet most of these ideas have been reality in the past. With restored belief in itself, Radio 2 could again be a central pillar of the best in Canadian culture.”
Topics: StandOnGuardforCBC Publications |
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