How can I promote Classical music?

Start with what the general public already knows. Through movies, TV commercials, and popular songs, the public is constantly exposed to classical music borrowings without even realizing it. If they learned about those borrowings, that might help them appreciate classical music. There are wonderful resources on the Web which can help you. Here is a listing of borrowings arranged alphabetically by title of the movie, TV show, or TV commercial: http://classicalmusic.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=classicalmusic&cdn=entertainment&tm=20&gps=336_631_877_577&f=10&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.geocities.com/musiclassical/themes.html and here is a listing of borrowings arranged alphabetically by composer's name: http://www.kickassclassical.com/ and here is a link page bringing you to more of such listings: http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/classicalmusicinmovies/Classical_Music_in_Movies_and_Television.htm

Promote in what way? To whom? Your question is far too vague at the moment.

I do it one or a few people at a time. To me, the best way to to talk about it (sometimes while it is playing). The pieces, the stories, the people that wrote the music ... all REALLY FASCINATING tales! This opus, that theme, this key, blah, blah, blah .... dry and boring. But tell them ABOUT the music. ABout why Haydn wrote the Goodbye symphony, or the Surprise symphony! Tell them about Beethoven's struggles with the spirit of the common man, and how this, Nepolian, and the effects of that time period influence his middle symphonies. About how Handle had sincere anger issues ;) You could go on and on about Mozart. Tell them about the riot when Stravinski's Le Sacre Du Printemps premiered. There are TONS of stories ... the music makes them more empassioned. History doesn't have to be dry, the music doesn't have to be dry. It's exciting! Tell them why!

My wife and I always get season tickets to the local symphony orchestra. A couple of years ago, we decided to buy 2 extra season tickets and take different people each month to the concert.

Wonderful, wonderful question. Thank you so very much for asking it. I have been trying other websites for Q & A programs, and have come to the very firm conclusion that though this one has many short-comings, it is by far the best; so I guess that I (we-?) are stuck with it. But to your question, are there any "Blogs" that anyone knows of, that would serve as a "good" forum for classical music's promotion? I would start one, but my computer expertise is so limited - I'm a real "dunderhead" when it comes to computers - that if I tried, would probably stumble very badly, and might "turn off" any subscribers. But other than a "Blog", I really can't think of anything. I'll "star" this question, and if anyone comes up with something feasible, I would certainly be more than willing to participate. Thanks again for your question, Alberich E-mail me, anyone, if you wish.

If it is YOUR ensemble, apply for 501 c 3 status - a not-for-profit organization. Then you can fundraise, apply for grants, and realistically have legal status. There are legal assocaitions that will do this free or for small fee for you. Make sure that YOU support other as you would want them to support you. If you have a piano trio, go to local string quartet or choral programs. Do not get so into YOUR group that you allow others to be neglected. Join WITH them to start a concert series - people will come to all of you programs if you *train* them that there will always be something great to hear on the first Sunday of every month, for example, at 3 pm. Have *hook* - get somebody local and popular to read the narration, announce you, etc. - the mayor ( another chance for him to *grip and grin*), a popular radio personality (get a rock DJ if you want students to come - even if this guy is reading the piano quintet version of Peter and the Wolf), or other local celebrities. Get attached to events - provide music for the Chamber of Commerce, or other civic groups. This can be slippery - there is a LINE where it is just *free background music* to them, and not worth you while to do it. Hospital fundraising events, Heart Association - all good. Provide a commercial side to your group - IRS says you must keep them separate, though - and do wedding, parties, etc. The people fomr the board of directors of whatever who heard you play will LOVE to say that you also performed at their mansion - even in a concert setting OR cocktail hour - and you get paid AND exposure. Cast a wider net - join art and dance associations. Be visible and audible there. Carry CDs, cards, flyers - you never know.

I heard Mozart for the first time on a bugs bunny cartoon..anvil chorus, tchaikovsky's 1812 overture..wagner's ride of the valkyries..all on cartoons...it's out there.. Sia has a song called Taken for granted. Background music being from Prokofiev's romeo and juliet. I find beethoven all over the place...make it accessible. yes, it loses something when it's blended with say, drum and bass or breaks, but it gets out there. Look at what Baz Luhrmann did for making shakespeare accessible to the next generation. Why not with classical music too? Appreciation is subjective..I think a lot of people associate classical music with stuffy drawing rooms, etiquette, archaic fashion, harpsichords and powdered wigs, regardless of the passion that can be conveyed with a lot of pieces.. I keep my classical and opera records mixed in with my jungle/breaks/hiphop/jazz..the people listening don't always notice, but it permeates.. don't know if that helps, but it's what I do in my own small way...