The Crisis of Classical Music in America

Lessons from a Life in the Education of Musicians

The Crisis of Classical Music in America by Robert Freeman focuses on solutions for the oversupply of classically trained musicians in America, problem that grows ever more chronic as opportunities for classical musicians to gain full-time professional employment diminishes year upon year. An acute observer of the professional music scene, Freeman describes how the problem he diagnoses has no chance of abating unless the music school that train our future musicians—instrumentalists, composers, conductors, and singers—equip their students with the communications and analytic skills they need to succeed in the rapidly changing landscape for America’s music professionals. The Crisis of Classical Music in America speaks directly to the parents of children and adolescents who show promise as future musicians, music students themselves, the music teachers and professors who instruct them, the deans of music schools who hire the teachers and professors, the provosts and presidents of colleges and universities who appoint music school deans and directors, and the philanthropists and foundation directors who financially support music schools and the music institutions that employ musicians.