Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

I have been very pleased with your new and fresh view to government.  However, I am dismayed by your treatment of the Arts.  The Arts define humanity and at the moment we are very poor indeed in this area.  The Arts are appreciated by all walks of society both rich and impoverished.  I have seen many concerts full of people of very humble means, I have seen their faces and their happiness listening to so called "classical" music.  YOUR National Orchestra is YOUR ambassador of music that represents COLOMBIA.  At the moment we are like beggars! If it is worth doing, which it is, it is worth doing well!!  So many, SO MANY young Colombians are looking toward the National Orchestra for leadership in the Arts, in "classical" Music.  Why?  Because it provides hope, discipline, the "mystic" quality of life.  Yet, the orchestra is treated like an economic burden!??  This is incorrect.  Mr. President, how much I would like to enjoy a tinto with you to discuss this hidden but important subject with you.  For too many years, the treatment has been shortsighted, short term.  It is time to look at the big picture, to see the Arts and the orchestra as the AMBASSADOR to the world that it can be and should be, and for it's leadership role for the young talent, those willing to sacrifice and excel in their desire.

Five minutes Mr. President.  That is all I need to convince you to think big, to think First World and not Third World.  Our neighbors to the north have many many orchestras.  We in Colombia Can have just four or five great orchestras and be the pride of the Americas and most importantly, the pride of Colombia!

Sincerely,

Chris Jepperson