It was also refreshing to hear someones honest opinion on commercial music. Matthew's ambition to make money from his music should be encouraged. If anyone says they do not want to make money from their music, then they are a liar. Full stop. On a side note, I have noticed that commercial music seems to be
a taboo subject at university. In the conservatorium there seems to be only two styles of music that has ever existed: classical and jazz. What's worse it is often white jazz that gets all the appreciation, but that is another story. On a side side note, I congratulate Mark Carrol for his attempt at educating 'the elite' after I commented about this observation to him with a lecture on the Blues, slavery and early black Jazz artists late last year that he presented. This went down like a lead balloon with various negative comments about the Blues floating about after class. So it seems at university, at least from a majority of students, there is not only two styles of music, but unfortunately there is still two types of music: elitist and non-elitist. This is madness as music of the present is directly influenced by music of the past. For a history in Jazz module there was a hell of a lot of history being left out. So again, I congratulate Matthew for being honest in a learning environment that is critical of people that have commercial success and wish him well with his music. He looked uncomfortable when the question was asked of him whether he wanted commercial success but I say damn the critics and he should do what he loves. If they want to criticise you Matthew for having success, then they are only jealous of it. All music, although it does not necessarily have to be liked from a personal taste, should at least be appreciated and respected for what it is whether it makes money or not.
a taboo subject at university. In the conservatorium there seems to be only two styles of music that has ever existed: classical and jazz. What's worse it is often white jazz that gets all the appreciation, but that is another story. On a side side note, I congratulate Mark Carrol for his attempt at educating 'the elite' after I commented about this observation to him with a lecture on the Blues, slavery and early black Jazz artists late last year that he presented. This went down like a lead balloon with various negative comments about the Blues floating about after class. So it seems at university, at least from a majority of students, there is not only two styles of music, but unfortunately there is still two types of music: elitist and non-elitist. This is madness as music of the present is directly influenced by music of the past. For a history in Jazz module there was a hell of a lot of history being left out. So again, I congratulate Matthew for being honest in a learning environment that is critical of people that have commercial success and wish him well with his music. He looked uncomfortable when the question was asked of him whether he wanted commercial success but I say damn the critics and he should do what he loves. If they want to criticise you Matthew for having success, then they are only jealous of it. All music, although it does not necessarily have to be liked from a personal taste, should at least be appreciated and respected for what it is whether it makes money or not. Whittington, Steven. 2008. “Forum – Student presentations 2.” Seminar presented at the University of Adelaide, 27th March.
