We all know very well the aphorisms There’s No Free Lunch and You Get What You Pay For. The real subtext is, of course, that better always costs more and that anything of value at least costs something. Which is not always true. I shop at B&H Photo, e.g., where one gets the best pricing, good service, a knowledgeable staff, and a great return policy.
Of course, there is also the popular adage The Best Things in Life are Free. Much of this comes down to one’s definition of value, better, best, things, payment, and even free, but I digress…
Some of the real secrets of a city are the things that are free, for two reasons: 1) Since people believe that the best costs more and the worthwhile costs something, the free is often dismissed or overlooked. 2) There’s no money in marketing, promoting, or brokering the free. So free, quality activities can slip in under the radar.
Like concerts at music conservatories in NYC.
We have some of the best music schools in the world here in Manhattan, such as Juilliard School, Manhattan School, and Mannes School, and they all offer free concerts – hundreds of them per year in nice theaters and recital rooms. And although they are performed by those who are “only students,” these are TOP students, and many will soon be performing at a theater near you for money.
The photo is of the Manhattan School of Music, founded in 1917, at 122nd St and Claremont Avenue, on the very Upper West Side in Morningside Heights near Columbia University.
If you want a taste of the inner workings of conservatory life, I would suggest you attend a Master Class. These are free and are also scheduled. In a master class, a student works on a piece of music with an instructor (frequently a well-known performer) in front of an audience of peers. Often, the public is allowed. Their playing is critiqued, suggestions and demonstrations are made, and the piece is replayed by the student. I once saw Yo-Yo Ma give a master class in Cello (wonderful) and Josef Gingold give one in violin. Gingold was considered one of the greatest violin teachers in history – it was an honor and amazing to see him work with a student. It was quite a free lunch.
the performers would probably prefer to have more people know about these too, so they have more of an audience.
An audience is necessary not just for appreciation but also provides experience of the stress working for others. In performance, an audience has expectations.
Nice shot, I love the snow over the red!…
You are lucky to live in a city where so much is available, and for free. I agree with your assessment that people don’t appreciate what is free, but they also don’t respect it either.
New York is really a very beautiful city, at least from what I see in photos such as this one.
I shop at B&H Photo, e.g., where one gets the best pricing, good service, a knowledgeable staff and a great return policy.
Thank you. This is very gratifying and much appreciated.
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video
I got to your blog searching for information about New York’s Easter Parade tradition. I’ve been roaming around your blog since.
What a great find – lovely photography, clear writing – and leads to more places to check out on my next visit to New York.
your blog is really great. any one can get enough information of NY here.