In a recent interview, Wynton Marsalis
states that classical musicians "have the most eloquent way of addressing
one another." Bearing this quote in mind (and extending its implications
to classical fans as well as practitioners), one must wonder why there
are so few resources on the internet that provide serious musicians and
their audience members a medium of exchange. Certainly, the two major
classical music discussion lists, Classm-l and the Moderated Classical
Music List, provide well-utilized and much appreciated means of communication,
and newsgroups on the subject of classical music are not difficult to find.
However, on the most popular Internet resource of all, the World Wide Web,
one can find virtually no such tools for discussion.
Realizing this deficiency, Jonathan
Lee's ClassicalNet has designed its "Classical Music Alliance" which
is intended to provide a forum for discourse between all who appreciate
the most abstract of art forms.
What is it?
Stated simply, the Classical Music
Alliance is little more than a fan-club for classical music. Potential
members are invited to join by filling out the official Alliance application,
and will be notified via email when their application has been processed.
Why join?
Benefits of membership include the
opportunity to communicate with classical musicians and music lovers from
around the world. Members' biographies will be placed on a special roster
that will include information about members' specific interests, locations,
email addresses, et al. If members so desire, their photographs may be
placed alongside their biographies, if a scanned photo is available.
Members are also able to access
a special, members' only area called "The Classical Music Alliance Forum."
The Forum operates very much like a BBS or newsgroup, where members are
able to post messages that only other members may access. Additionally,
there is a special Chat zone, where members may engage in
real-time chat with fellow music lovers.
The Forum is almost completely uncensored,
and any legitimate discussion about musical topics (including concert schedules)
is allowed an encouraged.
Finally, members will receive a newsletter,
which will include updates on the program's progress, musical news from
around the world, and a section where members may share their thoughts/announcements/advertisements
with other members. The regularity of this newsletter has not yet
been established (the first edition was sent out July 7, 1999), but it
will appear at least seasonally.
How much does it cost?
Nothing!
There will never be any fees or obligations
for membership in the Alliance. Joining the organization indicates only
that you support classical music, an open discourse on the World Wide Web
between musicians and listeners, and the efforts of Jonathan Lee's ClassicalNet
to achieve this discourse.