A Brief Liturgy for Music Work

A Brief Liturgy for Music Work

for use when you feel stuck

Dear Music Workers: From the middle of the last century, musicians observed the beneficial manifestation of music amongst people with particular interest. It became customary to name and explain it with articles of theory. As time passed, the naming and explaining grew into disciplines, trainings, qualifications, professions, regulations, and systems of power. Ancient observance became modern organisation. 

‘Music Work’ proliferated into countless applied music disciplines that work with people towards claims of beneficial change, including music therapy, community music, music and health, musicians in residence, educators, somatic practitioners, and DJ’s. However, 21st Century developments in Music Work have tended to involve a revision, a debunking, or a scepticism around not only the more powerful names and explanations for music’s properties but also around the practice of music itself. 

Musicians question what to say about their work, and also, sometimes, what to play in it.

There is a crisis of trust in music. 

I invite you to play, now, with being undisciplinary.

Recognise that the old ways of naming and explaining Music Work are colonial, patriarchal, ways.

Recognise that new ways are already emerging, in cracks and corners of critical writing.

When I say Music Work, you say, like slime mold.

How is Music Work like slime mold?

Music Work, like slime mold, can change into multiple forms.

Music Work, like slime mold, can change with no need for a leader.

Music Work, like slime mold, creates new form after it is broken.

Music Work, like slime mold, was here before we were. 

Music Work, like slime mold, has its own type of intelligence.

Music Work, like slime mold, is smarter than it looks.

Music Work, like slime mold, survives in inhospitable situations.

Music Work, like slime mold, can move to where it needs to be. 

There is a crisis of trust in music. 

Join together in asking:

What kind of support will Music Workers of the future need?

Will more Music Workers of the future have precarious, portfolio work lives?

Will Music Workers need support that is open to holding new levels of non-knowing and grief?

Will Music Workers have the space needed to process the creative, dynamic, and regulatory demands of a portfolio work life in this capitalist, colonial, state-sanctioned system?

How will Music Workers show up for each other in the future?

Write a short note of thanks to your practice.