Response to "Cockeyed Optimism"

March 18, 2003

The editorial this week, “Cockeyed Optimism,” struck a chord with me. Just last night I went to a concert in Berkeley by an excellent college band from Cal State at Northridge. Sponsored by Cazadero as a benefit for its JumpStart Program, which aims at introducing youngsters to music via a 3-day weekend at Cazadero, the concert attendance was disappointingly sparse.

While mulling over the reasons for this, aside from possibly inadequate promotion, I came to some of the same conclusions that you mention in your writing, such as the competition with such a variety of entertainment options as well as a discouraging passivity in today's American public.

As a matter of fact, I have long been aware in teaching of the necessity of hooking kids through participation, not mere listening. For today's couch potatoes, the act of singing in a group or playing an instrument is unbelievably empowering, and in many cases, a real epiphany.

I enjoyed the article especially because it inspires a thoughtful discussion about how these problems came about and points the way toward possible resolutions. Thank you!

_____________Joan Murray, San Francisco

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