Music: An Appreciation, Brief 7th Edition (Kamien)

Chapter 1: Music In Nonwestern Cultures

Music in Nonwestern Cultures

Imagine you've been given the opportunity to apply for a grant to study and record specific musical cultures of your choice. Your job will be to prove you are knowledgeable about the characteristics of the cultures you choose to investigate, by creating a report which profiles the importance of the musical traditions you will study, as well as major challenges related to the cultural heritage of the region.

1. Select three cultures to explore. Possibilities include Native American, Indonesian, and Middle-Eastern traditions.
2. List and describe additional resources you can use to learn more about the traditions and politics of each of the cultures.
3. What challenges related to cultural preservation are present in the musical cultures you choose to investigate? Name some organizations and groups with vested interests in cultural preservation in the region. Some examples of challenges include loss of language, population mobility, and global communication.
4. Finally, create a two-paragraph profile for each musical culture you choose to investigate. Include a description of the cultural and historic characteristics of the music, as well as a description of the social challenges affecting the musical traditions.