Write about the music or sound, tell me what it is, where it comes from, and who’s it is.

Choose ONE option. Write a short essay, 400-500 words (1-1.5 pages double spaced), using one of the following prompts. If you make reference to the readings, do so as specifically as possible, and cite author and page number. Also note: two of these options involves you finding your own examples of music to discuss. Do some YouTube surfing and find some interesting examples. Include links:
Option one:
Many of the musics we’ve studied this semester are valued by indigenous people for the extent to which they reflect a close relationality with the natural or supernatural world. For some this may mean that music represents or is derived from peoples relationship with plants, animals, or natural resources, for others this may mean contact with the spirit world, passed ancestors or deities. Pick a music that we’ve studied that does this and imagine that you are attending an expression of this music. I use the term expression because this may be a structured performance, it may be a ritualistic ceremony, it may just be a sonic moment out in ‘the field.’ Find a video or audio clip of this moment and share it with me. Write about the music or sound, tell me what it is, where it comes from, and who’s it is. Write about your experience being present for this moment. What did you see, hear, smell, or even taste? What did you feel? How did it change you? Ultimately, discuss the ways in which this music represents a specific relationality with either the natural or supernatural world.
Engage and reference readings on music and affect, spirit possession/shamanism, or relationality with the natural world
Find a good musical example and share a link with me
Make sure and describe your imagined experience attending this musical moment
Option two:
Music has often been used as a means to solidify sovereign power and contribute to discourses and practices of nationalism. By the same token, though, it can be a powerful means of speaking out against political and governmental powers that be. Pick a region that we have studied and employ two musics representative of that region to discuss the two sides of this coin. Once again, imagine that you are personally in attendance at two musical performances. Find video or audio clips of these performances and share them with me. Write about the music or sound, tell me what it is, where it comes from, and who’s it is. Write about your experience attending these performances. Explain what’s happening and how it makes you feel. What is the political discourse implicated by these performances? What is your political stance, as such? Perhaps the performance shifts your outlook…
You’ll need two musics, one that has been used as a form of official, nationalistic culture that somehow bolsters or represents governmental power, and then you’ll need some kind of alternative musical expression. Share audio/video material.
Should you choose to write about National anthems and want to use one example that I used in class, that’s fine.
Engage and reference our readings on music and ritual, music and affect, and/or music and memory.
Tip: loud music is disliked by most ‘powers that be.’

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