I got an email from my mom today. She had noticed that there were far fewer Artist Series programs this year than in previous years, and so she asked why on the BJ Grad Forums. This is the response she got, edited only to add paragraph breaks and for emphasis:
Actually, last year in a meeting (and I was at the meeting), Dr Bob told the faculty and staff the reason for eliminating most of the artist series. He wished to continue bringing people in, but he was receiving alot of flack from parents and others outside the university about the people he was bringing in for artist series. He eventually got tired of responding to all these people and decided that it would be better to not have the artist series, plus it saves money.
Though I am no longer there, I think some of the students will be happy about not having to be “inconvenienced” on a school night to go sit at a concert. However, I wish some people would be more understanding. The groups that we have had in have hardly performed objectionable music. Yes, perhaps when they go to other places they sing jazz or whatever, but the thing is - they respect the University’s stipulations. And for the most part, these groups are not known as Jazz groups.
For example, lets take the artist series from last year - we had Chanticleer come in. People complained because in other concerts elsewhere they performed jazz numbers or whatever or they have some gay members. Chanticleer is primarily known as a classical group. And as for the issue over whether some of them may or may not be gay, that really is not our concern. I am sure the University would not go up and say oh, do you have any gay members…I am sorry you can’t come. NO! That would ruin our testimony. Instead of insisting that we ban groups because they may have a couple gays in them - people need to see the other side - shouldn’t we focus on being a testimony for Christ and reflecting God’s unconditional love for each human being? We read gay authors in literature classes and no one complains…because we can appreciate their talent without condoning their lifestyle.
However, I understand that is getting harder to find classical groups that don’t have the potential for bringin “baggage” that others will complain about. It is sad that these people cannot see past what these groups do elsewhere and appreciate their amazing talent and the amazing opportunity that we have to share even the littlest example of Christ with them while they are here. I have worked with unsaved guest artists for operas who have really had questions about Christ because of their experience here. Some may even come to Him someday because of it.
But all that said, Dr. Bob is probably too busy to keep dealing with complaining people and seeking out groups that won’t be objectionable. There are better things that he could be doing - so I do understand. Hope all of this make sense.
Why on earth should you care if some of the singers are gay? What difference should that make to you? And so what if they also played jazz numbers at other venues?
Is your world so small that you can’t listen to or watch anything made by someone who does something you disagree with? That’s pathetic–and sad, really. You’re cutting yourself off from so much good, so many talented musicians, artists, authors, and actors.
In fact, I wonder what they do listen to? Are they not aware that Ron Hamilton, Mac Lynch, and Steve Pettit are all sinners like the rest of us?
To be honest, though, I don’t mind not having as many artist series as before. We still get the plays–at least until the complainers discover what BJU censors from Shakespeare–and the only opera I’ve ever wanted to see, Mefistofele. But what I really wanted was non-compulsory attendance, not for all the other Artist Series concerts to be dropped because it offended a few small-minded people.
