By Jacob Stockinger
Today is April 1.
That is, April Fools’ Day.
I’ll admit it: I do not like April Fools’ Day stories or so-called jokes.
In fact, I hate them.
When I was working in a newsroom, I always considered it unprofessional to publish such stories. I saw it as a betrayal of the same public trust that newspaper and magazines are always crowing about and citing as grounds for all sorts of rights or even privileges.
But I also hate them personally as well as professionally.
That’s probably just because I am a gullible and sincere guy, a sucker who falls for them.
“Oh, really” I would almost always say – to much laughter and guffawing, disbelief and incredulity, to say nothing of embarrassment, awkwardness and shame. I was always The Joker or The Jerk.
But who knows? Maybe there is a deeper reason for my disdain of April Fools’ Day and all that it entails.
Anyway, for some reason this year I found myself at the end of March idly wondering: What would be a good April Fool’s Day story in classical music?
“Steinway Pianos to Go Digital” was one.
“Steinway to Make Violins” was another.
You get the idea. I have a very limited ability for this kind of goofing around and satire.
Maybe I just lack the imagination to be both outrageous and believable.
So I call on you, Dear Readers:
If you are so inclined, come up with and tell me: What would be a good headline for a classical music April Fool’s Day story?
Just send in your suggestions – put them in COMMENTS — and let’s see what you come up with.
If one story clearly emerges as a winner, I will personally send that person a recently published book about classical music and a new CD as a top prize. So include your snail-mail address or e-mail so I can get that address.
Happy Brainstorming!
And Happy April Fools’ Day!
And THAT is no joke.