Indonesian Musicians Beyond Free Trade Era

2015 is not that far away. As we all Indonesians have been informed, it is the year of AFTA, the year of implementation of ASEAN free trade. Then, Southeast Asia will become similar to Europe.

Indonesia has large potential in music, especially pop culture music. It is nonetheless the most populated country in the region, using Melayu language which is quite influential in the region. And with those advantages, Indonesian pop music will prevail. How about Indonesian classical music scheme?

This question came to mind as to know that 2015 is only seven years away. Then, the flow of products will be very vast, services, information, products, and labor. Southeast Asia will differ, including the music industry.

Musicians from all across ASEAN will be free to roam the region in search of jobs. Quality musicians will be available in every concert hall doorsteps. And of course there will be a tight competition. Furthermore, the question also includes “Are Indonesian musicians ready?”.

With 220 million people and music yet to be developed, Indonesia is one potential market for classical music. More and more people are attracted to the classical world. More people are willing to sit back and try to enjoy classical music.

But we have to realize that we are low of shaping quality musicians. Indonesia only has several institution that provides music as subject in higher-education level let alone quality education.

Amateur musicians training centers are indeed growing in number, but ones that train professionals are very rare. There are a few people who are trained and ready to work in the classical music field, whether in educational institution, performing company, religious institution, or even in the public as observer.

Indonesia needs more professional quality musician than ever.

With growth of high demand market and low supply of quality products, in this case quality musicians, Indonesia will be an easy target for other ASEAN nationality musicians.

Many of young Indonesian musicians have gone to neighboring countries, such as The Philippines and Singapore, to study music. Those country have already excel in music education. And they are producing more musicians than we are. They are way ahead of us.

If Indonesia and its musicians are not ready by the time of AFTA, it will be extremely difficult to seek for job in home country. So don’t even think about getting a gig in Singapore.

ASEAN musicians will swarm Indonesia looking for opportunities. With their qualification, they will take strategic places in Indonesian musical scenes. Education, administration, academic, and performance posts are some of the posts that are going to be occupied.

There was a time when a concert by a national orchestra was done without its current concertmaster. Not proceeding with its vice-concertmaster, the orchestra decided to hire a violinist from a neighboring country to be the concertmaster in a couple of days notice. Yes, he did exceptionally well in the concert, but it is an obvious indication of what the future of Indonesian musicians will be.

Then what are we going to do now? Train and educate more quality musicians, lads. Tough competition ahead.