Letter: Hilton Head needs musical center

Can we afford it? Is it necessary? Can we maintain it? And the debates go on. These are the wrong questions to ask.

The real question is whether we, as a society and as a generation, want to revive the music culture to where it was decades ago, or allow our music industry to erode as it has for far too long. Gone are many fine symphony orchestras, jazz bands, jazz/pop singers, and instrumentalists. Too many schools do not focus on music or even offer music programs like they did in the past. Good music has lost its meaning in today’s society.

So the question is, do we want to continue down this path or turn it around and take a leadership role by constructing a performing arts center?

A new arts center will be a success if we all dedicate ourselves to making it a success, like we do for other local events where everyone gets involved. The center will bring in musical talent that will appeal to all age groups, regardless of the music genre they favor.

It will be a great selling point for vacationers. It will provide a much-needed facility for our outstanding Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Performing arts centers have been very successful in places like Brevard, Tanglewood, and Aspen, with many jazz festivals, etc.

Music is part of our everyday lives. Let’s keep great music alive and add “Music Cultural Center” to our list of attractions.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Letter: Hilton Head needs musical center."