Review article: Ethnomusicology and music education: Continuing the dialogue

Abstract

This review article further explores the nexus between music education and African music/(ethno)musicology that continues the dialogue between the disciplines of musicology and ethnomusicology initiated by Susan Harrop-Allin in SAMUS vol. 25 109-24). Although there has been an explosion of literature over the last five years which suggest points of
dialogue either overtly or covertly, the silences do serve to proclaim the gaps. This article takes issue with the fact that only a small minority of the publications reviewed comes with accompanying audio and/or video examples, and that multi-authored publications tend to cover the same ground. The nexus between music education and African music/
(ethno)musicology may not be the prime interest of some authors, however and may resonate more in some articles than in others. ‘Does the successful use of African music in the school require the sort of structuring found within these volumes?’ is one of the key questions debated here.

Eric Akrofi, Maria Smit & Stig-Magnus Thorsén, eds. Music and Identity: Transformation and Negotiation. (Stellenbosch: African Sun Media, 2007. ISBN 9781919980850, 414pp. with photographs, illustrations, and musical examples)
Jaco Kruger & Ina Le Roux (Editors), Deon Coetzer (Illustrator) The Flamboyant Rooster and other Tshivenda Stories (Johannesburg: New Gauteng Printers, 2007. ISBN 9781868225286, 149pp. with photographs, illustrations, musical examples, and brief biography of each storyteller with accompanying photograph)
Mans, Minette, ed. Centering on African Practice in Musical Arts Education (Johannesburg: African Minds, 2007. ISBN 1-920051-49-X, 260pp.)
Nzewi, Meki A Contemporary Study of the Musical Arts of Africa (Pretoria: Centre for Indigenous Instrumental African Music and Dance (CIIMDA), 2007. ISBN 981920051631,
5 volumes + CD accompanying Vol. 4. Vol. 5 consists of three books of exercises and original compositions by Meki Nzewi and Odyke Nzewi):
Volume 1: The Root: Foundations, 206pp.
Volume 2: The Stem: Growth, 171pp.
Volume 3: The Foliage: Consolidation, 204pp.
Volume 4: Illuminations, Reflections and Explorations, 289pp.
Volume 5 Book 1: Theory and Practice of Modern African Classical Drum,
156pp. with 20pp. of notes and 30pp. of music.
Volume 5 Book 2: Theory and Practice of Modern African Classical Drum,
160pp. with 22pp. of notes and 148pp. of music, including duos for the drum and other instruments, as well as voice.
Volume 5 Book 3: Theory and Practice of Modern African Classical Drum,
326pp. with 15pp. of notes and 295pp. of music.