Why do you feel classical music is still relevant?

I believe it’s relevant because the music still has, and always will have, a profound impact on people’s lives. Music is another form of art just like painting or literature. Walt Whitman first published “Leaves of Grass” over 160 years ago and Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel over 540 years ago but the importance of these in the popular imagination are never in question because of their undeniable impact on humanity. I think anyone who has ever really listened to a Beethoven or Mahler Symphony would agree that hearing a masterwork can be a profound experience possibly even greater than being in the Sistine Chapel or reading a great piece of literature. Unfortunately far too many people haven’t heard any of the great classical masterpieces and instead have negative preconceived notions that stop them from getting through the doors of the concert hall. I think we as an organization have to do everything in our power to continue to bring music to the community and expose as many people to classical music as possible.