Readers propose education, outreach and adaptable formats to address crisis in classical music

Letters to The New York Times (Jan. 31, 2026) responding to Evan Shinners’s essay say the classical music industry is in crisis and offer a range of remedies, including stronger school music programs, well‑funded public outreach and varied performance formats for different audiences.

Anthony Rudel of Rockport, Mass., wrote that Americans are now into a third generation with minimal exposure to classical music, that in‑school music is often an afterthought, that radio stations playing classical music have steadily decreased and that opera stars no longer appear on late‑night television.

He called for a well‑funded campaign to make classical music accessible, fun and entertaining, noting it must compete “not against just other forms of music but against all forms of entertainment.” Several writers described formative live experiences that shaped their appreciation: Brad Kennedy recounted summer symphony concerts, including Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with cannon fire, and Robert K.

Tuman described discovering classical music through a community education course and buying recordings of Beethoven’s symphonies, which launched a decades‑long passion. Views differed on programming and presentation.

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