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 PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Years ago, back in high school, my assignment in English class
was to write an essay titled "The More Things Change the More
They Stay the Same". I have thought back to that phrase many times
since leaving the classroom, and realized how true it was. It
certainly rings true when thinking of music and the arts. The
speed of the changes in technology makes one's head spin. Music
is passed around the world so quickly now, and has gained a new
international flavor. Or is it new? George Frederick Handel, a
German-born composer, travelled to England where he wrote Italian
opera. That was back in the Baroque era, between 1600-1750. Music
has become more chromatic, often reflecting the mood of society.
Dissonance sometimes appears to be the new norm. But in contrast
to that there is the universal appeal of a beautiful melody, such
as "Plaisir d'Amour", written in 1600, but turned into the famous
Elvis song "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You". Other aspects
of that phrase also hold true. We may have more options and choices
of what instrument to play, but they still require practice. There
may be more diversions in life to stimulate our creative growth,
but eventually the focus narrows and time only permits one or
two. And while there is not an abundance of princely patrons to
engage musicians in their courts, the arts still needs financial
support in order to stay alive. So yes, things change, but yet
they stay the same.
Bonnie Juniper, Pacific Northwest Music Festival President
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