Prom 8: 21.07.16 - Strictly Prom

[MrGongGong]

If the goal is to persuade regular Prom-goers of the merits of other musical forms then it's tended to have mostly the opposite effect on me, I must say.

It's not "other musical forms" though ?

[Sir Velo]

… and Katie Derham. But there, she is very popular and in this Prom she's in her element.

In the current parlance, she is definitely marmite.

In this household, marmite is relegated to feeding infants who have yet to develop an educated palate.

[french frank]

It certainly brings to the Proms people who have never been to the Proms before. If that's the goal it achieves it. If the goal is to bring a new audience to classical music then it doesn't - they don't come again. If the goal is to persuade regular Prom-goers of the merits of other musical forms then it's tended to have mostly the opposite effect on me, I must say.

That seems a fair summary. Even so, a lot is made of the number of people 'attending the Proms for the first time'. I've never seen an analysis of how many return a second time, or which concert(s) they then attend.

[Stanfordian]

In the current parlance, she is definitely marmite.

In this household, marmite is relegated to feeding infants who have yet to develop an educated palate.

Well said Sir!

[ahinton]

In the current parlance, she is definitely marmite.

In this household, marmite is relegated to feeding infants who have yet to develop an educated palate.

In this one, it's not even relegated; it's simply not permitted.

[pastoralguy]

This thread is in real danger of becoming the 'We dislike Katie Derham' platform.

There's a 'Strictly' Prom. She's involved.

Get over it.

[pureimagination]

As pastoralguy says "get over it". The same griping by the same people. The Strictly Prom is one Prom you don't have to listen to let alone attend. Why raise your collective blood pressures complaining about something you've decided beforehand you're not going to enjoy. The rest of the Proms season is not diminished by it, though I agree the promotion of it is disproportionate. I shall listen rather than watch - my choice. For those who won't be listening why not create your own alternative prom at home - just get together some of the pieces of music, 'classical' or otherwise that you feel should be at the proms and have your own concert. There is no compulsion to listen to or watch any of the proms. Don't disparage what others may enjoy - what purpose does it serve? Musical taste is just that - a taste, and there are many other flavours to choose from.

[french frank]

As pastoralguy says "get over it". The same griping by the same people. The Strictly Prom is one Prom you don't have to listen to let alone attend. Why raise your collective blood pressures complaining about something you've decided beforehand you're not going to enjoy &c &c. … .

Welcome back, pureimagination! It's a thread devoted to the Strictly Prom, deliberately posted in advance so that people can have their say - whether they look forward to it or whether they shudder at the thought. Members are free to express whichever view they wish: that's what the forum is for. Neither view should provoke hostility.

[ahinton]

As pastoralguy says "get over it".

That sounds almost like an EU referendum Leave supporter!

Of course those who don't want to listen or attend need not do so but the same could be said for any Prom. I just don't believe that it will do the Proms any credit and, if it's a vehicle for someone who's not exactly the sharpest knife on the R3 presenter block (which looks to be the case since a Strictly Prom need not necessarily have included her as a "performer" in any case), it will do itself less credit still. It won't be of a whole lot of use to people listening to it on radio - but then who would listen to Strictly itself in audio-only format?

[ahinton]

This thread is in real danger of becoming the 'We dislike Katie Derham' platform.

There's a 'Strictly' Prom. She's involved.

Get over it.

I don't "dislike" Ms Derham personally. I have little time for her as an R3 presenter. Her involvement in one season of Strictly Come Dancing might have been something for her own enjoyment but its inherent relevance to the Proms as a festival is far from clear.

I'm certainly not getting over or under it. I'll simply give it the widest of berths.

[french frank]

Of course those who don't want to listen or attend need not do so but the same could be said for any Prom. I just don't believe that it will do the Proms any credit and, if it's a vehicle for someone who's not exactly the sharpest knife on the R3 presenter block (which looks to be the case since a Strictly Prom need not necessarily have included her as a "performer" in any case), it will do itself less credit still. It won't be of a whole lot of use to people listening to it on radio - but then who would listen to Strictly itself in audio-only format?

I thought PhilipT's comment was an excellent summary: such Proms concerts attract mainly:

a) people (the many) who like Strictly, but aren't otherwise interested in the Proms or classical music. It doesn't persuade them to come to purely classical Proms.

b) those (logically rather fewer) who enjoy classical music and also Strictly. It doesn't make Strictly fans out of the classical music lovers who aren't interested in the programme.

My view is that it's a BBC Marketing ploy, and a cuckoo in the nest. Remember when Sarah Walker asked James May how Radio 3 could 'tap into' the audience of Top Gear? May replied that Top Gear's audience was very big and varied. He didn't want Radio 3 to change (he said), 'you have to be so careful with this sort of thing - you want to make it popular but you don't want to diminish it.' Which at least makes is a point of view that trying to fuse popular television with the Proms does diminish them. Regardless of who thoroughly enjoys it. But, of course, it doesn't necessarily matter if they're 'diminished' in this way, so I'm not too bothered.

[ahinton]

I thought PhilipT's comment was an excellent summary: such Proms concerts attract mainly:

a) people (the many) who like Strictly, but aren't otherwise interested in the Proms or classical music. It doesn't persuade them to come to purely classical Proms.

b) those (logically rather fewer) who enjoy classical music and also Strictly. It doesn't make Strictly fans out of the classical music lovers who aren't interested in the programme.

My view is that it's a BBC Marketing ploy, and a cuckoo in the nest. Remember when Sarah Walker asked James May how Radio 3 could 'tap into' the audience of Top Gear? May replied that Top Gear's audience was very big and varied. He didn't want Radio 3 to change (he said), 'you have to be so careful with this sort of thing - you want to make it popular but you don't want to diminish it.' Which at least makes is a point of view that trying to fuse popular television with the Proms does diminish them. Regardless of who thoroughly enjoys it. But, of course, it doesn't necessarily matter if they're 'diminished' in this way, so I'm not too bothered.

I do indeed remember that and wondering at the time who scripted the question - Sarah herself or the programme producer? (echoing a question that's been posed in many contexts in these 'ere parts for ages).

A Top Gear Prom's in the offing next season, perhaps. Well, why not an Eastenders Prom? A Celebrity Masterchef Prom? An Archers Prom? Any of these, however awful to contemplate, would be little more or less relevant to a Proms season as a Strictly one.

[Bryn]

I do indeed remember that and wondering at the time who scripted the question - Sarah herself or the programme producer? (echoing a question that's been posed in many contexts in these 'ere parts for ages).

A Top Gear Prom's in the offing next season, perhaps. Well, why not an Eastenders Prom? A Celebrity Materchef Prom? An Archers Prom? Any of these, however awful to contemplate, would be little more or less relevant to a Proms season as a Strictly one.

Given what is on offer this year, why not an I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue Prom? (Replete with massed kazoos and swanee whistles, of course.)

[mercia]

If the goal is to bring a new audience to classical music then it doesn't - they don't come again.

that may very well be correct - it has somehow been proven has it ?

[Serial_Apologist]

Given what is on offer this year, why not an I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue Prom? (Replete with massed kazoos and swanee whistles, of course.)

Or a British Bake-Off Prom, since they knead the dough.