the website of jeremy de korte: the blog

Over the course of my readings I feel that it is something resembling detective work. You read something, find an interesting reference, then seek to find the article/book/quote. Normally, Google will hopefully find all, and it sometimes does. But for other more obscure references there are always libraries who hold collections of old journals and other news worthy items (of their day).

Case in point…

While reading Trevor Herbert’s The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History, in a chapter contributed by Duncan Bythell dealing with the expansion of brass bands in Australia and New Zealand, I came across one such reference. There is a section in the chapter highlighting the detachment of brass bands from the educational system (Bythell, 2000), and a mention of a scathing editorial (by 1929 standards) written by the (then) editor of the Australiasian Band and Orchestra News.

Me being me eventually found the editorial. I am aware, as I have mentioned, than many state libraries hold collections of old journals and other such material. My first port of call was the State Library of Victoria who unfortunately only had a limited number of volumes of the said journal, but referred me onto the State Library of New South Wales, of which did own all the volumes. They were kind enough to photocopy me the editorial and post it down to me.

Now that I have given a brief run-down on finding obscure references, why did I find this editorial so fascinating enough to seek to find it?

My proposed research is on how school age students learn while participating in community music ensembles. I personally regard community music groups such as brass and concert bands as perfect examples of “informal education” – that is education that is conducted outside of formal settings like schools and universities (McGivney, 1999; Smith, 1999). So if school age students are participating, it could be assumed that they are learning as they are playing music they would not otherwise play in school, and they would be surrounded by people who are of a different age and standard than they are and who are able to pass on various ranges of experiences as musicians. This informal learning, which is probably unnoticed by the students is coupled with their formal learning in schools.

The editorial takes a critical view that the headmasters of the day are only interested in providing the basics – and the editor laments the fact that bandmasters of local municipal bands are not allowed to enter schools in order to set up school bands (Australiasian Band and Orchestra News, 1929). I admire the editors viewpoint on this matter, but one can’t fail to notice the self-interest of the brass band movement in order to gain new streams of recruits for brass bands. One thing about this editorial is that like some of the literature of today, there is the message that participation in music making activities is beneficial for all (especially brass bands!).

In a recent SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of brass bands, published on the Music Council of Australia website, the contributors make a point of saying that “Increasing demand for academic achievement in schools, through the assignment of greater homework, limits students’ opportunities for involvement in an essential level of instrument practice, community ensembles or other music development opportunities” (Sheppard, Rugers & Bedwell, 2008). In my mind there is no reason to suggest why schools and community music can’t work together in order to provide the best musical outcome for a music student which is enhanced learning opportunities (de Korte, 2007). It must be hoped that greater co-operation can happen in the future.

But this is part of the challenge…

References:

Australiasian Band and Orchestra News. (1929). The Editor’s Baton: Bringing up the Boy to the Band [Editorial]. The Australiasian Band and Orchestra News, XXV(2), 1, 3.

Bythell, D. (2000). The Brass Band in the Antipodes: The Transplantation of British Popular Culture. In T. Herbert (Ed.), The British Brass Band: A Musical and Social History (2nd ed., pp. 217-244). New York: Oxford University Press.

de Korte, J. (2007). The Southern Area Training Band: From Concept to Creation. Unpublished Masters Project, RMIT University, Melbourne.

McGivney, V. (1999). Informal learning in the community : a trigger for change and development Leicester: National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.

Sheppard, D., Rugers, F., & Bedwell, R. (2008, September 3rd, 2008). SWOT Analysis of brass bands. Music Council of Australia Retrieved December 17th, 2008, from http://www.mca.org.au/web/component/option,com_kb/task,article/article,124/

Smith, M. K. (1999, February 5th, 2009). Informal Learning. the encyclopaedia of informal education Retrieved August 1st, 2008, from http://www.infed.org/biblio/inf-lrn.htm