Prof. Josties
Music
„Community Music“
Over the last few years, ‘Community Music’ has gained popularity in Germany. Community Music is especially popular in the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and in Scandinavian countries. In the 1980s international networks were strengthened, and one of the strongest forces has been the funding of the Commission for Community Music Activity (CMA). Although the CMA encourages debate on community music and international cooperation, there is no nationally – much less internationally – consistent definition of Community Music (Silverman). The term community music can be conceived of as „any type of informal music teaching and learning“ (ibid.), as „collaborative music-making, community developement and personal growth“ (Koopmann 2007). Social justice and empowerment are seen as a central components of Community Music (Higgins).
This seminar will give an overview on theory and practice of Community music. First results from empirical research on community music in the US will be presented. In particular, we will reflect on music in Social Work/Youthwork in Germany, especially the concept of music in socio cultural work which is represented at the Alice Salomon Hochschule. These fields of theory and practice seem to have many intersections with the concept of community music.
Practical musical sessions will be part of the seminar. According to the concept of community music, everybody is invited to participate and shall be included regardless of preliminary musical experiences - beginners are explicitely welcome. In June we will have special guests from Detroit: HipHoppers will offer a Rap-Workshop. We will also go on excursions to community music places or events in Berlin.
Students are expected to read and present papers on community music that will be debated in class and to do empirical research on projects of community music/music in social cultural work.
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