First of all, I’d like to thank you for your comments on my political post. They were as artistically sound as they were personally abusive.
Last week, Dr. J.D. Frizzell posted a blog-style opinion on Facebook based on my blog-style blog two weeks earlier, when I declared that a cappella was “dead.” What followed was a mature and intelligent conversation by the a cappella community discussing the hardships that now plague contemporary a cappella. About 35 people made comments including one that declared J.D. for president. This has led me to three conclusions:
1) The a cappella community clearly loves J.D. more than me.
2) This is not okay.
3) That mother f***er is going down.
I kid. We wrote a book together for god’s sake. Truth be told, I was actually thrilled at all the responses. I originally asked if a cappella was dead because I think we don’t talk enough. To be clear, I do not think a cappella is dead. The point I was trying to make was that it felt, to me at least, that we hit a creative plateau and we need to get over the hump.
The title was meant to rattle cages. It was meant to spark discussion. It’s been a long time since a thoughtful, respectful debate was held about America a cappella. I remember the old days when alliances were formed and the sides went to war. It was hilarious wasn’t pleasant to watch, or read…but at least we were talking. We need more of this.
I don’t know why, probably because I think social media is the devil, but the only thing that bothers me about these conversations is that we’re having them on Facebook, instead of in person. Speaking of which…
I’m just going to say it: the Facebook group “A cappella NOW” has become a wasteland of “audition for us!” and “look at the thing we made!” Now let me be clear—I’m not saying either of these are bad. What is social media for if not to shamelessly self-promote? (read this) But when so many of us are flooding the page with announcements, it becomes difficult to catch the audience’s eye. When I post a blog, I know I’ve got about twenty minutes before I’m not longer on the top.
And yes, I’m fully aware of how algorithms work. The more a post is commented on, the higher up it will stay because science.
In my opinion, the A cappella NOW page should be a collaboration of ideas, a place to ask questions, a place to state opinions-that-someone-will-misread-and-tell-you-to-basically-jump-into-a-volcano.
I know I’m not the only one that thinks this…I find it kind of sad that the A cappella NOW page has basically become the major source of current a cappella news. I feel like a Facebook group should be where a community can hang out, not be responsible for broadcasting the most pressing a cappella news of the week.
This is not the page’s fault. Nor is it ours. No one is to blame (except J.D. just because). That’s just how it evolved.
When I teach a workshop or lead a conference, I’m always asked where people can get the most current updates on a cappella and I’m always kind of ashamed to say “the Facebook group.”
Am I wrong? Do people not mind this? Is this just the rantings of a jaded and tired 43-year-old man?
If I’m right, then what’s the solution? Here are some ideas:
1) Make some new Facebook groups. Sure, we have an arranging group, and a recording group, and an education group, etc. But the membership of those pages is almost 80% less than the A cappella NOW page. To successfully outsource topics and keep the page clean, lots more people need to join these outside groups.
2) External Websites. It would be great if there were a website that tracked all of this new content and kept us updated on the latest news in a cappella. Deke did it when he wrote the Contemporary A cappella Newsletter (CAN). CASA used to have a main page that attempted to keep track of the important festivals and concerts happening soon. There was even a page called “A cappella News” but it no longer exists.
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I’m about to announce some brand-new news website. Well, I’m not. I wouldn’t have the first clue how to make one of those and there’s no way on Earth I’d be able to keep up with current news, as I’m just one person.
However…no one is saying YOU can’t do this. In fact, I dare say that the person or persons who create the next big a cappella news website will carve out a substantial niche for themselves in this ever-crowded marketplace. So go to work you Gen Z Go-getters. I’ll be your first member.
3) Shut up Marc. Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe this isn’t a problem at all. I mean, we DO need a way to keep track of the latest goings-on about a cappella, and Facebook is just so darn convenient. Is it too hypocritical of me to complain about the very page where I advertise my own posts? (Yes)
Why am I ranting so much about the Facebook group? Because I’ve seen a huge uptick in thoughtful, respectful conversations over the last few weeks and I want this to continue. But I also don’t want these conversations to get buried by Rando Calrissian’s post about his newest single. Both posts are important, and both posts should have a place where they can frolic and play with all the other baby posts.
So, what have we learned today? Absolutely nothing A few things:
1) I’m about to be kicked off the A cappella NOW page.
2) We need to talk more.
3) If J.D. disappears in the middle of the night, don’t worry about it. I’m sure he’ll be fine…
Marc Silverberg
Yes, there are more groups making things and sharing them. Also, I think the question and opinion and poll posts have diminished. Is this why reddits karma system works?
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