On my first post here, I would like to dedicate it to the word I hate the most: Maestro.
Before starting, I would like to thank you for liking my facebook page, which added up to 100+ likes in less than 48 hrs.
Back to the subject, this word started taunting me since I first wrote a festive march, back in 2001, when I was still 16 years old. Being called Maestro in Malta is quite easily achieved. Write down two notes, an easy melody, give it to a band club and there you go, you are a Maestro for life. But really and truly, what is the real significance of this word.?In my opinion, this word means more than just knowing how to play an instrument, teach music in band clubs, compose wind band music, or play the magician in front of a bunch of musicians. The way we use this word makes its real significance insignificant.
We use it in front of the name, as already said, of someone who wrote down few notes in a form of a march, anyone who teaches in a band club, in posters, in cd covers. In my life, I never encountered the letters in front of Verdi’s name or any of the great composers, or in front of Riccardo Muti’s name.
Coming to think of it the acronym Mro. is not even something you can study for, like Dr. or Prof. but it is something I guess us Maltese created. A simple search for “Mro.” on google, results in nothing of the sort (you can check it out). You can also notice that when writing, it will show up as a mistake when spell checking. However searching for the word Maestro, Wikipedia will give you this short meaning:
“Maestro (/ˈmaɪstroʊ/; from the Italian maestro [maˈestro; maˈɛstro], meaning “master” or “teacher“[1]) is an honorific title of respect (plural: maestri, feminine: maestra). The term is most commonly used in the context of Western classical music and opera, in line with the ubiquitous use of Italian musical terms.”
With this in mind, for me, the use of Mro. is superficial and almost senseless, and that is why I always ignore it when someone calls me out like that, not because I am not grateful that the person calling me that thinks I am a maestro, but because for me it is just a meaningless word.
I am happy to be just a musician, maybe also a brass tutor, or even a march composer and a conductor, the rest is just words.
danielvellamusic.com 
Nowadays things have changed, some people not even like to be called ‘doctor’ even if they hold a doctorate, but Maestro as Wikipedia states, was related to someone highly knowledgeable in music, or rather a composer/director. You should not hate it, but if someone calls you Maestro (and this person would address you so since he respects your position), I suggest you just tell the person to address you by the first name! 🙂
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That is what I do to be honest, and that is what I wrote aswell:) thanks for your comment Riccardo 🙂
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