PUBLIC PARTICIPATION in Competitions.

[emill]

I would like to get the thoughts or feel of the group regarding this.  More and more competitions from "Idols", "Talent", beauty contests and even "natural wonders of the world" now involve the public through "texting" or on-line voting. And suddenly ... lo and behold this:   The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition...   https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=46040.0   

On one hand, in many things and issues, it is the public who will have the final say whether a "product" is excellent, good or not acceptable .... but what will prevent recruitment?? or the winner is the result of a concerted effort of a group of individuals whose purpose is just to have someone win regardless of the quality.  Or what will prevent "nationalist" or worse "racist" tendencies to enter the picture.  Sad to say, as an example, Filipinos vote by the tens of thousands for a Filipino in such contests regardless whether deserving of not.

Fortunately Benjamin Hopkins, senior member of PianoStreet and contestant at the Pittsbugh Competition is an excellent piano player and voting for him was easy. But that is not always the case. It is said that in "American Idol" it will be difficult for any deserving female vocalist to win as a big percentage of the public's vote comes from female teens whose main criteria is the "cuteness" of the male contestants more than anything else.

This is obviously more a marketing ploy by organizers and TV stations .... but I am alarmed that it is now creeping into classical music competitions .... wheeww!!    YOUR thoughts?

[nikolasideris]

If it will bring awareness to the public then why not...

I know it's classical music and all that, but in the end as with degrees and exams and everything the 'WHERE' and 'HOW' make a difference. A degree in piano performance from an unknown university will have a different effect from one from Juliards (just sayin'... don't kill me). Same goes for competitions. The specific competition will certainly be attached with the news of the 'public voting' in which case the most popular/handsome/facebook/twitter/orkut freak will win!

But for an orchestra to be doing this, I think it's healthy (especially considering the decline of classical music and the financial problems that orchestras are having)...

Just my thoughts anyhow...