The question is not what is good music, but what is music good for.    That’s what Bill Bragin, Director of Programming for the Lincoln Arts Center said.  The following is my interpretation/CliffNotes summary of what was important.

He asks;  Who are we here to serve?  There are so many needs for critical services, basic health care, etc…  Bring beauty to a troubled world, but do more.

Example – Iraq war = need for more world music performances.  Diversity, not hate.  Bring people together.  Using music for social change…   You get the picture.

Look at lesser-know artists from around the world.  Help unrepresented artists and raise awareness of a global community.  It serves, artists, audiences, and as soft diplomacy.  Music for social change.

This man is a DJ in NYC for fun.  If you don’t believe me, do a search “dj acidophilus”

And he’s the head man in charge of presenting at Lincoln Center.  I’m dying to ask him “what should my students do to prepare for a career doing what you’re doing?   Learn to make beats?  Take classes in international relations?

I can tell from his speech that it’s not the quality of the act, it’s the quality of the question.  Great ideas transcend the “mouthpiece” and even an amateur act from the Balkans is fair game if the content is right.   I’m hearing “race studies” in the same sentence w/ “theatre”.  Arts presenting is a powerful weapon for reaching the masses and delivering a message.

Wow.  I’ve heard that statement before, in connection w/ historical issues, especially WWII, so hearing it again robs my focus from the speech.

What do you think?

He’s done great things for New Orleans;  organizing arts events for hurricane relief in the wake of Katrina.  This guy has a heart.

You can tell he has a reverence for performing artists.

Closing.  How can we serve the social good?   That’s a good question, Bill.     Can we all agree on what’s good?

*thunderous applause*