Musicians often struggle with confidence in their purpose. Markets seem daunting and the journey may seem bleak, but have no fear! There are things to be learned from the greats. Let's delve into the practicality and drive of one of my favorites: George Frederick Handel.
From his early childhood, he wanted to study music very badly, but was actually barred from owning any instrument by his father because "music wouldst not bringest thou a realistic source of income." Yes, this actually happened way back when in the 18th century. And, O! how wrong father was. In 1703, after dropping out of law studies at the University of Halle at the age of 18 to dedicate himself to music, sweet George got his start playing violin in opera orchestras while teaching violin privately to support himself financially.
Yes, feast your eyes on as much beauty as you can Handel.
After writing a few operas of his own and touring them through Italy, Handel was pushed towards London where he ultimately settled in 1726 and became a British citizen. Handel was snatched up quickly by English royalty, created the New Royal Academy of Music because the old one had problematic sopranos, and composed operas at a rate of 2 per year for a decade. Once Italian operas went out of style, Handel turned to oratorio writing, the Messiah (1742) being one of the most famous. In his lifetime, Handel wrote about 30 oratorios and about 50 operas—if that doesn't scream extremely determined Aries, I don't know what does.
The moral of the story here is that Handel gave zero fucks about what people thought about music's practicality because that was silly, and simply did what he loved to do. Handel knew that music would always be wanted, and that since he loved to make and play it, it would never be work. The same is true to this day. If you find yourself diffident in your choice of career in music, remember why you decided to pursue it in the first place. It's the same reason the revered greats chased after its mastery, and it's the same reason why institutions are enamored by the academia surrounding it. Music is the epitome of human emotion, and creates lasting impacts on the world. You might not be Handel, but Handel also isn't you. Do what you love, keep doing what you love, and strive to do what you love every day.
