Music Appreciation

I have finally mustered up the courage to write this letter since moving from the East Coast to San Diego three long years ago. Do you know why the San Diego Symphony Orchestra has to beg for money to remain alive? Because the people of San Diego are the most ignorant, music-wise, of any city in the United States.

There are many museums all over the place, but who cares to look at dead pictures all the time? It is best to hear a live rendition of Beethoven or Brahms. The San Diegans are too busy tearing down their grass shacks and replacing them with 15 condos at an unbelievable price and rushing to the banks with their proceeds. Did you notice there is a bank on every corner in San Diego?

Forget the young people, they are concerned with the six-pack and the height of waves at the beach. This city will never be anything more than a beach town. There may not be any palm trees, lush vegetation, bays or beaches Back East, but you do have the intelligentsia, plus orchestras like the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, etc., plus the finest music schools, students and performers.

M. O’DONNELL

San Diego