Frameworks of Culturally Engaged Community Music Practice--Australia

Music Health Australia was established in 2008 by Sandra Kirkwood, as a network of people interested in music and health--from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Music Health Australia is also a private practice--successful in obtaining grants for establishing the Purga Music Museum (Ipswich) and researching local music histories, such as the life of renowned Aboriginal tenor, Harold Blair; and the 100-year history of the Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band.

Community Music is a movement that supports and energises music-making at all levels of society, not just concert performers, but all the people involved in the music scene. Through Community Music, people can build relationships with their neighbours at the local level and play in bands, or sing in choirs, and contribute to festivals and cultural celebrations. Frameworks for Culturally Engaged Community Music Practice were developed by Sandra Kirkwood (2009) for rural Ipswich, Australia as a case study that has relevance in Australia.

Joseph Erb stated in 1926 that: “Community Music properly includes all forms and phases of music which serve the Community and grow out of it.” 

Premises:

If communities can instigate and grow music-making at the local level, this can impact people's health and well-being in a positive way, and lead to social inclusion, and social support relationships.

Music Health Professionals are important for helping Communities to self-manage their own music-making. Music Health practitioners, Educators, Therapists, and Ethnomusicologists/Researchers assist communities to understand and develop their music culture. Cultural engagement is part of the creative process, which is inter-related with the social and physical environment. Occupational Therapist support development of occupational roles and make pathways--bringing people together who may not normally meet.

Funding:
Communities share leadership with Music Health Professionals, Elders, and respected culture bearers to self-direct culturally engaged community music. 

Funding is required to support this development, beyond what is available through NDIS for capacity building for individuals. Regional Arts Development Fund and Local Government Community Development Grants fall short of the long-term investment that is required for culturally engaged community music development.

Recognition of the importance of Community Music Development is required to implement the aspirations and values enshrined in the National Cultural Policy. 

This new policy was shaped by the diverse voices of the Australian arts, entertainment and cultural sector. Community Music connects with the Principals and Pillars of the New Revive National Cultural Policy--A Place for Every Story, A Story for Every Place. 

The Music Health professional network through Music Health Australia is critical to developing this sector. This is especially important as the future of Music Therapy being funded by the NDIS is in doubt (ABC 2024, 21 Dec).

References

ABC 2024 (21 December) Future of Music Therapy NDIS Funding in Doubt https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-21/music-therapy-ndis-funding-in-doubt-as-review-announced/104735720 

Australia Government, National Cultural Policy. https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/new-national-cultural-policy

Erb, J. (1926). Music for a better community. The Music Quarterly, 12(3), 441-448. 

Kirkwood, S. (2009) Frameworks of culturally engaged community music practice for rural Ipswich, Australia. Master of Philosophy Thesis. Doi 10.25904/1912/1912 . http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367823

NDIS Independent review of NDIS funded music and art supports therapy https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10530-independent-review-ndis-funded-music-and-art-supports  

Sandra Kirkwood B.Occ.Thy, B.Music, M.Phil (Qld Conservatorim), Grad Cert Education (Digital Learning & Leadership in Education)
Occupational Therapist
m. 0488 624 362

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