Musical Meaning and Social Reproduction

A case for retrieving autonomy

Bibliographic Data

ID5780997
AuthorsLucy Green (0000-0001-5223-1781, a Institute of Education, London University, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume37
Issue1
Pages77-92
Publication date2005-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducational Philosophy and Theory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0013-1857 • E-ISSN: 1469-5812
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1469-5812.2005.00099.x
OpenAlexW2165159461
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited17

In this article I propose a theory of musical meaning and experience which takes into consideration the dialectical relationship between musical text and context, and which is flexible enough to apply to a range of musical styles. Through this theory I examine the roles played by the school music classroom which, despite the multiplicity of musical styles now incorporated into schooling, continues to contribute to the reproduction of existing social relations in the wider society. I consider how music itself can be understood to construct and communicate apparent 'truths' about ourselves and society and what role the classroom plays in perpetuating those 'truths'. Finally I argue for a partial but necessary reinstatement of the much-maligned notion of musical autonomy as a critical moment in any attempt to change things. Keywords: musical autonomymusical experiencemusical meaningschoolingsocial reproduction

Aesthetics · Art · Autonomy · Biology · Epistemology · Literature · Meaning (existential · Musical · Political science · Reproduction · Social reproduction · Social science · Sociology · Diverse Musicological Studies · Psychology · Ecology · Law · Philosophy