Original scientific paper
THE ROLE OF A SCHOLAR IN THE CREATION OF THE GROUNDS FOR CO-EXISTENCE: TOWARDS APPLIED ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
Svanibor Pettan
; Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Within the framework of applied ethnomusicology, the author discusses the possible roles of an ethnomusicologist in contributing to the improvement of musical practice and human relations. Traditionally tied to the academic world, with its goals "limited to the advancement of knowledge about the music of the world's people", ethnomusicology is now broadening its goals towards minimizing "counter-productive barriers between academic and applied work"
(Sheehy). In this respect it builds upon the achievements of applied anthropology. The immediate causes for addressing applied ethnomusicology in this article are the human crisis on some of the territories of former Yugoslavia and the author's belief that the application of anthropological and ethnomusicological knowledge to the situation "here and now" can make a difference.
The concept of applied ethnomusicology is demonstrated through the "Azra" project that from 1994 on involves refugees from Bosnia Herzegovina and the Norwegians in Norway. Jointly guided with Kjell Skyllstad (University of Oslo), the project combines research, education, and music-making. Its goals are: (1) to help the Bosnian refugees to preserve and strengthen their musical/cultural identity and (2) to advance the intensity and quality of communication between the Bosnians and Norwegians in Norway through musical/cultural activities. At the center of the project is the "Azra" ensemble which consists of Bosnian refugee musicians and Norwegian music students and performs both Bosnian and Norwegian music.
The results of this experimental project support the notion that applied ethnomusicology is a promising field with huge potential to be further investigated.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
48873
URI
Publication date:
5.8.1995.
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