Music for Shifting Times
Writers, artists, musicians, actors, creative people of all sorts, often ask the best questions, questions which have to do with real values, fundamental choices, important relationships. As is true with any sort of art, these questions may at times be framed in poetic and indirect ways. Directly or indirectly, these works of creation help with reflection on such matters.
As acrimony and division surrounding the Brexit campaigns and the US elections rose, I knew I wanted to write about music in a way that addressed these circumstances.
I made a very distinct and purposeful choice not to write about, or to call what I was writing about, protest music, though.
I had several reasons for that choice. Among them was the knowledge that anger only gets you so far – it may be necessary at times but it's not a building block. Also, I wanted to write in a way that that might open up the ideas inherent in the music to those who might not share my concerns or perspectives on the political situations referenced above. Given the acrimony of those and other situations, I also did not want to paint a target on any artist's back by calling him or her a writer or singer of protest songs. I wanted to write in a way that would invite connection and reflection and—I hope—outlast the current divisions, as well.
The stories in this series are meant to be reflections themselves. The music I choose, and what I choose to say about it in context of what is happening in the world, are personal choices informed by decades of being involved in listening to, and writing about music. A good portion of that time has been and still is spent in the music of Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the many strands which make up the folk music of the United States. Other strands come in as well, though, as I have also worked in, written about, researched, or presented classical music, mainstream country and blues. music of the Caribbean, South America, and Spain, and North America's First Peoples. I've also written about various related subjects such as songwriting, creativity, theater, dance, and travel – all this with an academic background in history, the visual arts, and languages.
That could help explain the range of material you may encounter in these stories.Among those you will encounter are a woman who has been recognized as Irish voice of the decade, a bluegrass vocalist of the year, a MacArthur Grant award winner, a Grammy winning banjo player and composer, an Americana songwriter who has been invited to share her music across India, a Scottish style fiddle player who has taught in China... and many others.
The focus of the articles is my own. I do not speak for any of these artists. It is my intention and hope that their music will speak to you, however. For listener, creator, and performer, music is both a solitary art and one created in communion with others.
Music is about connection, communication, reflection, creativity, and community. All of those are things called for in the shifting times in which we live.
It seemed time to gather the stories in this series so far in one place. A look back at where we've been as we prepare to go on, if you will. I hope you will revisit some of these articles (or perhaps find ones new to you). I invite you to stay with us as this journey in music continues.
Other stories in this series....
Three Feet or So: Music and Creating Positive Change in the World
Geography of Hope: Music of Immigrants and Refugees
Autumn: Music of Harvest and Home
Music: Listening for Community
Music: A Path to Community and Connection
Music: Songs of Hope and Respect
Journeys Through Landscape in Music
Asking Questions, Telling Stories: Music for Times of Change
Living the Questions: Music for the Journey
Music for Unsettling Times: Conversations and Questions
Music: The Power of Connection
Songs of Hope, Gracias a La Vida
Music for the Changes of Autumn
December: A Time for Reflection, Community, Solitude, and Music
Music for Spring's Changes
Music and Community: Stories of Ireland
Arrival, Change, Travel: Music for the Journey
Signposts: Music of Hope
Music and Horizons: Stories of Hope
Music and Connection: Telling Stories
Music for Shifting Times: Lighting the Path
Geography of Inspiration: Music and Place
Autumn Stories: Music for Changing Times
Music for Starry Winter Nights
Music for Hope and Celebration
Hope as a Companion: Music for the Journey
Music for Connection and Contemplation
Music of Hope and Peace
Music: Intention and Invitation
Passages: Music for Rough Times and Calmer Spaces
Music for honoring and nurturing connection
Music for Peace, Understanding, and Connection
Music's invitation to reflection, to connection, to peace
Music of Resonance, Resilience, Connection
Music for Solace, Inspiration, and Hope
Music for Making it Through Changes
Music for Connection and Celebration
Music for summer's end and autumn's beginning
Music for Friendship and Resilience
Music for Autumn's Connections
Winter's Music for Connection and Celebration, Solitude and Reflection
Music for Beginnings and Changes
Music for a Month of Transitions
Music for Reflection, Courage, and Hope
The Power of Music to Connect Across Place and Time
Musical Tapestries of Connection and Reflection
Music for Exploring Connection
Music for Reflection and Renewal
Music for Early Autumn's Changes
Music for friendship, connection, and perspective
Music for Winter, Solstice, and Holidays of All Sorts
Music for the New Year and Possibilities of Hope
Music's threads of hope and resilience
Connection to and through Music
Music Inspired by Art, Landscape, Books, and Turning Wheels
Music to Reset Your Perspective
Musical Connections and Collaborations
Celtic Colours: Celebrating Music and Community
Autumn's Music: Reflection, Community, and Connection
Music for Peace, Reflection, and a Cup of Tea
Music for December, a time of hope and reflection
Music for living through changing times
Music for Wisdom, Hope, and Connection
Music for Change, Resilience, and Hope in this Season of Spring
Connections and Community: Inspiration Through Music
Connections Through Musical Journeys
Music for Love, Justice, and Community
Music for Hope, Connection, and Courage
Musical Stories of Connection, Hope, and Community
Kerry Dexter is Music Editor at Wandering Educators.
You may find more of Kerry's work in National Geographic Traveler, Strings, Perceptive Travel, Journey to Scotland, Irish Fireside, and other places, as well as at her own site, Music Road.You can also read her work at Along the Music Road on Substack.
Music for Shifting Times
Through the Eyes of an Educator: A Compendium
Exploring Michigan's Coasts: A Compendium
Generation Study Abroad Commitment Partner
I'm a White House Travel Blogger
Travel with Awe and Wonder: A Compendium
Human Rights and Religious Freedom: A Compendium
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