Podcast on Music Education and Community Music

Review podcast for 4/2/08.

• Can and/or should Music Education incorporate the ideals of CM in existing music ensembles and programs?
• Should music education be removed from schools and placed in CM organizations?
• How do we prepare CM musicians? Should preparation include academics and workshops? How should Music Education coursework be expanded to include CM coursework?

First Podcast and Assignment

Community Music as a course of study began in England. The English model of community music is described in the YouTube video for the organization CME (Community Music East) (http://www.cme.org.uk/) and how they use multiple forms of media with music in their activities. In general the English version of community music tends to be more music therapy oriented than other types of community music. In addition, CM is used in England for intervention purposes; curbing gang violence is one of many examples. CM in England is most often funded by the government or grants.

Liverpool University in England offered the first degree in CM. SUNY Fredonia now offers an undergraduate concentration in CM.

Contrasting the English type of CM is the (1) Infinity Performing Arts Center in Jamestown and Dunkirk, NY. (http://www.infinityperformingarts.org/) and (2) Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center (http://www.arts4all.org/).

Welcome

Welcome to our Community Music class blog. You'll find summaries of former classes, references to older podcasts, and other useful information in understanding what Community Music is. In addition, we will add new podcasts and videos as we continue to define and describe CM in Western New York
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Questions to Ask in CM Interviews

Questions about funding.

Why does the person have an interest in CM?

What did the person have to learn on the job?

Describe the community.

What exactly does the person do?

How does the person recruit members?

Why do members join the CM group?

What are the goals of the CM group?

Describe the CM group's clientele

How does the person assess success?

What are some challenges the person faces when the person works with the CM group?

Listen to the podcast with Eric Pearson.

Creating a CM Group/New Horizons Bands

Last week we had Dr. Levy and Mr. Levy come in to discuss their work with Community Music groups and about the New Horzions Band movement.

We began by watching a brief video discussing the origins of the New Horizons Band, which began at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.

Following this video we discussed one of the community music initiatives that SUNY Fredonia began called Musical Journeys. This included both private lessons for students, but also had the New Horizons Band as part of the plan.

The private lessons were considered to not be as successful because of the fact that money was an issue, but also working with college students was difficult, and this was a difficult market to find people interested in taking private lessons.

We discussed what we would need in order to starts a community music group and here is some of what we discussed:

For a CM band you need:
Members
Supplies
Place to rehearse
Advertising
Organization
Startup $
Mission statement
Conductor(s)
Schedule

The importance of having a mission statement was mentioned. What is the aim of the group? Who will be allowed to be involved in the group? Are there any limitations?

Sponsors are also important – lessens costs for everyone.

Committee is needed for a CM group also:
Professional musicians/teachers
Business people
Advertisers
Public Relations
Music vendors

CM groups need to see what other groups are doing and be comparable.

Following this discussion we then had a presentation on the New Horizons Band Movement and how it has been doing in different locations.

We did not have time this class to get a podcast done, however we are looking into scheduling another time with the Levy's for a podcast.

Until Next time,
Don Dohr
Mary Olenen

Sweet Adelines

On 4/9/08, we got the opportunity to talk Paula Davis, who is a Sweet Adelines judge as is a part of Sweet Adelines International.

Also, she is Dr. Mayo's sister!

We saw several videos of performing groups including both quartets and full choirs. Paula showed several winners of the international competitions from years past.

The noted membership of Sweet Adelines International stands at nearly 27,000 women - which includes more than 1,200 quartets, and 600 choirs.

Sweet Adelines is considered to be the female equivalent of the Barbershop traditions. We were told that the Sweet Adelines began in 1945 in Tulsa, OK, following WWII.

Participation has grown internationally with groups also in England, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, China, and many more.

After more discussion about her experiences with Sweet Adelines International and the many benefits being in such a group can have, we then did our podcast which was interviewing her and discussing her work with the group.

Thats all for this Blog post, next a recap of last weeks class!
Don Dohr
Mary Olenen

Last Wednesday in CM!

Last week we watch a number of videos in our discussion of what could be considered community music on YouTube, these videos included:

Obama video
Music teacher rapping video
Blue Man group
Air Band / Scrubs clip
Iband (now with 2 iphones and 1 ipod touch)

Following the watching of these videos we discussed what parameters we should consider in discussing community and music. Then we began the podcast discussing this topic. We entered quite the discussion on what we considered professional and amateur but decided to ultimately table that discussion.

Following that we went back to youtube and watched more videos and enjoyed wings brought by Joel.

Finally we discussed some basic ideas needed for a CM program of study at the collegiate level.

Next class we will be interviewing Dr. Levy and Mr. Levy and how to start a CM organization

Until Next Class,
Don Dohr
Mary Olenen