Community Music Making

Beynon, C., & Veblen, K. K. (2012). Community Music Making: Challenging

the Stereotypes of Conventional Music Education. In Critical perspectives in
Canadian music education (pp. 123-133). Waterloo, Ont.: Wilfrid Laurier
University Press.
Veblens article focused on the great aspects of community music. See
touched on the fact that music education needs to follow society in its
musical transformation or what little programs we have left will be gone.
Another point that Veblen alluded to is that community music is one of the
most diverse form of music education in Canada. Although most music
programs focus on a certain style of music or genre, community music takes
into consideration all of the religions, ethnicities and cultures; it is a fun and
safe environment for all music lovers. This reminded me of the time that my
great-grandmother was very ill in the hospital and I went to play for her.
Although she couldnt speak or move very much anymore, every time I came
into play for her she would smile and tap the beat with her finger. This is an
example of how much music can really affect us in our times of need. Im so
glad that she got to spend her last days enjoying what is such a large part of
my life.
While reading this article it frustrated me that funding is such a large
problem for community music organizations. It is very discouraging that
governments are generally unwilling to do anything about this especially
since music can do so much for a community. I really liked how the author
clarified the difference between community music and music education. She
wrote, While CM can support music education in schools, it cannot, will not,
and should not save or replace music education. (Veblen p. 130) I think
sometimes we can get caught up in the fun and excitement of community
music and forget that we do require the basic elements as a structure to be
well rounded and capable musicians.
I would like to tell the author that I found this article extremely helpful
in informing me on the benefits and concerns with community music. I think
that a lot of people believe that music can be taught only in a formal
environment such as schools or private lessons but this article really helped
me to see the other side of education. I hope that community music
programs continue to develop and expand throughout the future because
they provide participants with endless possibilities in the musical
hemisphere. These programs dont just help people to grow as musicians but
as a person as well and I think that Veblen did a fabulous job speaking to that
in this piece.