The Triumph of Taste
I am, of course, reminded of the challenges we face as an arts organization whose artists are young women
In last night’s Olympic Ice Dancing finals, taste and talent definitely triumphed over… whatever. (I will forebear from continuing the alliteration with words like tacky, tawdry, tired, trite, etc.) The winning Canadian pair skated, or rather danced, with complete honesty, artistry and skill to the heartrendingly beautiful Adagietto from Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. Of course I wept, and I think my husband may have had a moist eye as well, even though this is not his favorite Olympic sport.
In addition to the quality and integrity of the performance, with real music, what struck me was that the crowd, the judges, and the world at large had to concede that taste and talent were the clear winners. This doesn’t happen very often, nor does it always happen for those who defy general expectations. The Canadians had never won gold in this sport, so the general public expectation for their triumph was perhaps not terribly high.
I am, of course, reminded of the challenges we face as an arts organization whose artists are young women. The general public’s expectations for quality performances or serious artistry from a youth chorus are not high. At best, the general public usually expects something cute or clever, with a little schtick thrown in to make them giggle. Heaven forbid a performance by “children” should challenge, transcend the ordinary, or move us deeply.
But such low expectations are a terrible disservice to our youth! They are capable of so much more, and the girls in SFGC demonstrate that in every performance. That doesn’t mean the girls don’t have fun and enjoy the experience. That’s evident from the exuberance and high spirits of any behind-the-scenes look at SFGC (remember the 1962 Disney film, Almost Angels, which brought the Vienna Boys Choir international attention?). However, when it’s time to get serious and sing, our girls do it as well or better than anyone.
So here’s to taste, talent and great expectations – may they always prevail, and may we never give up their pursuit.
