Understanding the theory and practice of Music in

the Community

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 27

Everyone has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

Theory…Who told you that you couldn’t do this?Welcome to a newer you.(Community Music Handbook, Pete Moser)

Community music comprises music activities in a community control those activities. (federation of Music Collective, based on the wrings of Anne Cahill)

Theory…• The Personal touch is everything (Phil

Mullen)

• Creative work is organized chaos (Evelyn Grant)

• In Community Music, the group is the curriculum (Frances Shanahan)

• A “community” doesn’t have to be a geographical one (Sound Sense)

Theory…Community Music activities are based onthe premise that everyone has the right and ability to make music… … Such programmes can act as acounterbalance and/or complement to formal music institutions and commercial music concerns… (ISME Commission for Community Music Activity Many Music's- One Circle 1998)

Theory…Community Music activity is often a process inwhich the participants themselves change anddevelop making new discoveries about themselves, empowering themselves, finding newidentity within a community… gaining new understanding and tolerance. These achievements

resultwhen the participant has direction of the process…

theempowerment of the community music worker andTrainee must also be borne in mind.(ISME CMA Commission The Role of Music in a Changing World 1992)

Practice…ParticipatoryFacilitates

creativity/listening/performingDevelops skillsInspires/enables/sharesEncourages ownershipInclusive- all ages, skills, background,culture

Practice…Workshop FundamentalsSafe PlaceCircle (trust, belonging, caring, empathy)FacilitationCommitment to creativityWithin a particular genreAll styles acceptedAccess-SpaceAccess-Language

Practice…• Positive Reinforcement Inclusive approach• Inclusive approach• Together empowered• Towards democracy of process• Individuation• Process and product of equal value• Acceptance that a person’s musical and

personal growth are of equal importance• Commitment to evaluation and accountability

fun

Practice…• What is it?• Who is it for?• Where does it happen?• What happens?• Why?