by Fiona Evison

Are you interested in music, education, our community or social movements?

If so, an upcoming event on September 21st is just for you.

We used to sing together as communities but these days, we usually pay to let others make music for us instead. I often meet people who are interested in music but were never able to take lessons, started then stopped, or were told, “Sorry, you're not good enough.” Have you ever heard someone say that they were asked to “mouth the words” in their school choir? Community musicians believe that music is a gift that benefits people and communities in many, many ways, and it is important to have opportunities in a community for everyone who wants to participate.

A new academic discipline, Community Music, is about the study and practice of inclusive community music-making. As a graduate student with Wilfrid Laurier University and a community composer, I have been investigating how composers are a part of this people-centred movement. We usually think of composers as gruff musical geniuses in an attic writing pages of impossible-to-play music. The reality is composers all over the world work in the communities that they love in order to bring the joy of music-making back to people of all ages and skills.

I have interviewed composers from different countries who work in creative and amazing ways with communities, and I will share the results of this first international study in a public and participatory presentation on September 21st at 2:30pm at Georgian Shores United Church in Owen Sound. Joining me will be wonderful musicians Rob Tite, Claire Baker, Michael Kearns and Vanessa Bosman, as well as local choristers, and we will—of course—make music together under the direction of local conductors Louise Jarvis, Linda Hawkins, and Scott Irvine. Some WLU professors will attend, and you will have a chance to ask questions and mingle.

Do you like to sing? I'm gathering a community choir for the event, so please considering participating. Contact me at [email protected] for rehearsal information. I look forward to meeting you at the presentation.

source: media release