The efforts of socialist Yugoslavia's music associations in the affirmation of (contemporary) art music among children and youth

After the end of the Second World War the large-scale project of cultural and educational emancipation of the Yugoslav population was initiated by several mass organizations that were affiliated with the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. The newly established republican, and later federal associations of composers, art music performer, concert and orchestral performers, and music pedagogues also contributed to this process. In this paper, we will examine in detail the specific undertakings of mass organizations and music associations oriented toward cultivation of music taste of children and youth and advancement of their knowledge of its history. Special emphasis will be given to the initiatives of the Yugoslav organization of Musical Youth (Jeunesses musicales, f. 1954) carried out between the mid-1950s and mid-1970s as they manifested various innovative dimensions. The aim is not only to give an overview of different approaches to art music popularization among young Yugoslavs after WWII, but also to critically assess their outcomes

Communism · Emancipation · Music education · Musical · Popular music · Population · Taste · Balkan and Eastern European Studies