... eColumns >> community music in action >> introduction

Welcome to the first posting of the e-column dedicated to Community Music!

We believe that Community Music is a dynamic force within music and music education and we hope that this column will reflect the diversity of its practice whilst contributing to its growth and development.

As an emergent force within music education, Community Music needs to elevate its status, mark out its territory, and find its identity amongst other musical disciplines. We hope that this column will provide a springboard through which Community Music can launch its principles and practice whilst continuing a responsive approach to change.

In order to represent the scope of Community Music from a global perspective, and to reflect the organising group, this column will initially present a statement in two distinct areas.

Community Music as:

* Social Change: Lee Higgins presents a historical perspective of Community Music in the UK.

* Schools, Marja Heimonen Presents a Finnish perspective to creating a music school network

The success of the column depends upon regular dialoguing and we hope that you feel able to contribute.