You're young, disillusioned and plagued by parents and exams. Do you find escapism streaming obscure death metal stations, annoying the neighbours by blasting out pirate rap shows or downloading waster college radio podcasts? Quite the contrary. Figures released last week revealed that half a million teenage bedrooms reverberate to the sounds of Classic FM.
There are various theories as to why so many of today's youth enjoy the commercial station's much-criticised blend of Mozart, Beethoven and Bach. For one, the station provides a tranquil background accompaniment to aid the high level of concentration required for homework. Recent blockbuster films such as the Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean series have had appealing classical scores, which is big business: Classic FM at the Movies is out this week. Drafting in recognisable personalities, including Myleene Klass, Simon Cowell and Graeme Le Saux, may also have played a part in the rise. Or is pop music to blame: false idols such as Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse, who your mum likes anyway?
Whatever the reason may be, it's startling to imagine the movers and shakers of tomorrow spending their formative years listening to the Hovis theme tune. But then how can we be so sure they're not pumping out Smooth Classics at Seven to disguise the sounds of them getting smashed out of their brains on White Lightning or copping off in the bushes in the front garden? It's a trick that used to work for me. Furthermore, look where an appreciation of the classics left Charlotte Church.
Were - or are - you a teenage classical music fan? What do you think of Classic FM? Please let us know in the usual manner.
