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One of the main goals of our project is to bring the music itself back to centre stage and to approach the complexity of engaging with music in rapidly evolving technological and cultural landscapes from as many points of view as possible.

 

Some of these perspectives include: decolonization; humanism; anti-racism; psychology and perception; music embodiment; the roles, responsibilities, and limitations of music academia; performer experiences; music history; music theory; and much more. We hope that by incorporating these perspectives, we can create an opportunity for dialogue that encourages diversity and inclusion. We’ll also be interviewing lots of different guests who will offer unique points of view that really push all of our boundaries and stretch all of our beliefs. 

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In fact, one major issue that we’ll talk about in this series is the steady decline in attendance/popularity of classical music that has been occurring over the last few decades. The current covid-19 pandemic further emphasizes the consequences of this loss of interest and we'll see how electronic media has changed how we engage with music. 

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We will engage with (and enjoy!) discussion on many different topics, such as the relationship between theory and practice; the role of the artist in contemporary society; why classical music is still important; how it is connected to (and different from) popular music genres; why learning about music from different cultures is important; and the role of musical embodiment in performance, analysis, and listening. We will also debunk complex theoretical terms and concepts, as well as introducing the inner workings of music from a diverse range of cultures using non-Western techniques, with the goal of making this information accessible to all audiences. We advocate for active academia, which we believe should promote the sharing of information in an accessible manner. We also hope to explore lighter topics such as the lives of composers and the historical contexts of works. 

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We hope to create a space for dialogue between scholars, musicians, and non-musicians alike. We believe that accessibility is extremely important and so we will make our discussions as inclusive as possible. Additionally, we want to bridge the gaps between musicians on stage and audiences, between academic and non-academic musical communities, and lower the walls between different musical disciplines (such as performance, theory, history, recording, and ethnomusicology). We are deeply convinced that dialogue, inclusion, and the sharing of ideas amongst as many communities as possible will encourage engagement and participation in musical activities, highlighting its cultural, social, and individual significance. Music itself is a global phenomenon that has been vital to many and most likely all cultures worldwide and so we hope to continue this trend by providing a space for discussion. In the spirit of open discussion and sharing of ideas, we would love to have your input and hear your thoughts - if you’d like to contribute to our discussions, drop us a line to leave us a note at the bottom of this page! We’d love to hear your feedback as well as your thoughts on our ideas. 

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Another way that you can connect with us is through our survey! We have released a survey that asks for your preferences and previous knowledge about music. This survey will stay open throughout the project as a way for you to suggest potential topics (if there’s something specific you’d like to hear us talk about) and also as a way for us to remain connected to our audience! We want to create a space for dialogue with you, too. 

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In all, we are extremely passionate about music and learning and we want to share these passions with everyone! 

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Kelsey, Laura, Sofie, and Alex 

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