Published January 5, 2024

Looking Ahead at 2024

by Scott Faulkner

I just revisited a column I wrote almost exactly nine years ago in the local newspaper of record. Entitled “Music in the Time of Tesla,” it considered what the then new, forthcoming Tesla Gigafactory might mean for the local arts scene. It doesn’t pretend to predict the future, but it does address some things that continue to ring true—the importance of STEAM and music education, implications for a bigger and broader audience, and building on the solid foundation we already have in place. 

Nine years later, these observations still basically feel right, and I thought I would use this opportunity to ponder some current truths, as well as what might be ahead this year and beyond. Mostly this is “a-few-things-Scott-is-paying-attention-to-at-the-start-of-2024” update. 

Arts Coverage and Promotion

First, a word of gratitude to PBS Reno for presenting the Art Views blogs written by my colleagues and me. When at the end of 2021 the Reno Gazette-Journal, quite abruptly, chose to discontinue our weekly arts columns, and no longer cover local arts, PBS Reno jumped in immediately and offered us a space to share our writing about the area arts scene. While our columns do often promote ticket sales for upcoming concerts and activities, we writers have never been paid. Having a place to share our words and thoughts with the community, and feeling appreciated for our labors of love feels good, and is appreciated. 

As the landscape of media shifts beneath our feet, getting the word out about the artistic goings-on in our community will remain as crucial as ever, and I’m grateful for those platforms and people who chose to promote the work of artists and musicians in our community. In my corner of that world, Chris Morrison deserves a special shoutout for his various podcasts, as well as broadcasts on KNCJ. There are several other folks who also work to support and amplify the work of arts organizations, and to them I am grateful.

Aging and Diverse Audiences

The joke about classical chamber music is that the folks who attend these concerts are retired people…and their parents. It makes one laugh, but that’s because it is often true. For much of the history of American classical music, hands have been wrung worrying about the aging of the audience, but thus far gray hair has always replaced gray hair. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. People with gray hair often also have a bit of time in their schedule to spare, a bit of disposable income, and a bit longer attention span than they did in their youth. Throughout the history of American classical music, the heads possessing this gray hair have been almost entirely White. For our organizations to thrive into the future it is crucial that we intentionally build a practice of inclusion—in our audiences, on our stages, and in our boardrooms and offices. It is also essential that we learn to navigate and accommodate generational differences. I dream of going to concerts where there are people of all ages, colors, backgrounds, and means everywhere you look. We need to build cultures and strategies that allow our human ecosystem to flourish, and that look like all of our community.

Our WHY

As our world feels more and more divided and siloed, music and the arts continue to be one of the handful of shared experiences that people of diametrically opposed views can enjoy side-by-side. A great concert gives goosebumps to Democrats and Republicans alike. A great performance entertains, enlightens, inspires, educates, and refreshes a weary world. This is why I play music, and this needs to be ever-central to all that we in the arts do.

I wish all the readers of this space a happy, healthy, peace-filled, and musical 2024.

Scott Faulkner is principal bassist of the Reno Phil and Reno Chamber Orchestra. He is also faculty director of the League of American Orchestras’ “Essentials of Orchestra Management” program as well as director of its League Alumni Network. From 2002 to 2015 he was executive director of the Reno Chamber Orchestra.

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