The Power & Value of MUSIC
I was engaged to facilitate the “How Music Shapes the World” Forum at BIGSOUND 2018. The session was not a panel, nor a pitching session, but an open collaborative conversation with those in the room on the day. The forum aimed to focus on the “what, why and how” for artists, and organisations, using music for social/cultural change. Sincere thanks to everyone that came and participated on the day — the following words are a collective work.
MUSIC IS POWERFUL.
Music makes us human. As complex we are as humans, so is the multiplicity of the social and cultural power of music.
Music is most profoundly about CONNECTION.
Music connects us with our own inner world of thoughts and emotions. It connects our inner landscapes with the external world around us. Music connects us to each other, human to human. And in the outside world — to our friends, families, communities. Music connects us with our memories and retains connection with those we have lost and who have gone before us.
Music is for EVERYONE.
Anyone can access music, create, participate, listen and enjoy music — it is part of the fabric of daily life. Music transcends language, cultural backgrounds, urban, regional and remote geographies and different lived experiences of gender, race and class.
Music provides a platform for ritual, resistance and resurgence of First Nations cultural practice.
Music HEALS & NURTURES.
Childhood experiences and early encounters with music have a profound impact on lives — on children, artists and audiences from all socio-economic groups and cultural backgrounds.
Music saves lives. Music inspires and motivates. Music helps us process our emotions and trauma.
Listening and participating in music making breaks social isolation, invokes sharing and social inclusion. There is power in being able to articulate your own story through music. Power that creates positive change and builds connection with others
Music EDUCATION is vital.
Exposure to music, music making and musicians provides a pathway to creativity and expression. Significant for all peoples and cultures to see themselves represented in music making and performance. Teaching others music, role modelling and sharing cultural practice is powerful.
Music can be recreational, educational and professional. Music making develops skills and expresses shared values, it provides a platform for diversity to thrive in how communities come together.
Music can push our boundaries of understanding, perspectives and willingness to embrace change.
Music provides pathways for education on broader social issues, causes and organisations at work in communities across Australia.
Music provides a practical ‘how to’ for community development. Educating through music supports agendas of social cohesion, inclusivity, diversity and safety in the wider community.
HOW TO VALUE MUSIC
Valuing music is fundamentally a PROCESS of EXCHANGE.
Transferring knowledge and recipriocity are at the heart of valuing music.
Respect that songs are knowledge systems.
Seek permission to use music and adhere to cultural protocols that value and respect music creators and custodians.
Respect that songs and the musicians that create and perform them hold intrinsic and extrinsic value. Music provides an income and livelihood for its creators.
Resource, debrief and emotionally support artists and arts workers working on social projects.
Empower artists in the curation of other artists work.
ACTIVATE and IMPLEMENT processes and policies that support equity of access to music in the social and community lives of all Australians.
