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.