Music, Society and Education
Christopher Small takes a much needed glance in the mirror to hold up western music traditions alongside those of eastern tradition such as Balanese. Of course this book is not just about how nice music is no matter what culture is playing it, no this text challenges the reader to consider how music impacts culture and the role that western music plays. Small examines why music has become a product rather than a process and what the results of teaching, performing and learning in such an environment can have on a musician. Small continues to challenge the reader by reminding that western imperialism has made its mark on cultures all over the world. In the present and in the future, we should do our best to acknowledge the artistic forms of any culture we come across and give those people groups as much opportunity, if not more, as we have had in our western experiences with art. “We should not, however, allow the brillaince of western musical tradition to blind us to its limitations and even the areas to downright impoverishment.” ( Small, 1) To me what this means is that we must not assume that our music is beyond imperfections. I think especially of this group I was a part of last night where a few people said they were not musicians or musical in any way. I believe that if we viewed music as a process and not a product then more people would find that their musical role is incredibly important and valuable. It’s the process of musicking, as Small called it, making music a human experience that everyone is invited to be a part of.
Anthropology of Performing Arts
Anya Peterson Royce begins her text by stating that , “Performing arts, especially music, dance and theatre, and the combinations of those genres offer us a view of the world in which our ordinary understanding of who and why we are is brought to heightened consciousness.” (Royce, 1) Royce goes on to talk about shifts in thinking of how the anthropology of performing arts affects different cultures. She speaks on technical skills as an important factor but then later talks about the embodiement of a piece and how being is important aspect within art, especially dance. Royce found that artistry and virtuosity were present in all performing art experiences she came across. So perhaps it is not about the technical skill that one can carry out but rather the way someone can emote the human experience through their performance. In Holland, we had a night of singing and poetry. It was very simple yet beautiful. No one knew the songs or had practiced them ahead of time,besides the leader, yet people joined in and laughed and had a shared experience of artistry.
Cross Cultural Issues in Art
Steven Leuthold, an art history professor of mine, talks about art being a gateway to cross-cultural understanding, “ Through art, we have before us an avenue for understanding and appreciating the diversity of thoughts, feelings and cultures in the world.”(Luethold, XI) He challenges the reader and almost commands a need for cross-cultural understanding in a world that is becoming increasingly anti-cultural understanding, this is incredibly important. I would say his text is becoming more and more relevant for Americans as we struggle with our own identity and the citizenship of others in our country. Leuthold provides a bridge to understanding and appreciating what other cultures are communicating through their artwork. Leuthold made me remember that art is not just in the eyes of the beholder but is a journey into personhood and life. Not all forms are seen as equal or are created with equal access to artistic mediums, however all forms deserve glory because they were dared to be created. As westerners and artist practitioners, we must continue to invite dialogue for art from all cultures and to invite others into artistic experiences that gives us what Royce would call a “higher consciousness” to who we truly are.
References
Small, C. (1997). Music, Society, Education, Wesleyan University Press. Hanover, NH.
Royce, A. P. (2004). Anthropology of the Performing Arts: Artistry, Virtuosity, and Interpretation in Cross-Cultural Perspective. Alta Mira Press. Lanham, MD.
Leuthold, S. (2011). Cross-Cultural Issues in Art: Frames for Understanding. Taylor & Francis Publishing. Philadelphia, PA.