Developing Community Music in Munich : Critical Reflections on a Process

Kurzfassung/Abstract

Developing Community Music in Munich: Critical Reflections on a Process
The purpose of this presentation is to reflect on the developments of the Munich Community
Music Action Research Group (MCMARG). After conducting 23 semi-structured interviews I
initiated and was part of the MCMARG for nearly three years from October 2012 until
November 2015. Using the action research method the group consisted of nine members
representing research, practice and arts administration in Munich and also different fields:
music in social work, arts education, music therapy and music education. Community music
was at the time an almost unknown term in Germany, although there was community music
practice. During the process: (1) the group developed their own definition of community
music in German (2) a community music university module was established, (3) the Munich
Philharmonic Orchestra established community music as part of their education work, (4) a
community music conference was hosted collaboratively, (5) community music projects and
(6) publications were developed.
In this paper I critically examine and reflect on the sustainability of the process, lessons learnt,
challenges and what we could have done differently. Analyzing my reflective diary,
documents and the recordings of the MCMARG sessions I provide a critical analysis of the
development process that took place. I conclude with reflections on the process of
internationalising community music by applying the predominantly Anglo Saxon coined term
and concept “community music” to the German-speaking context and German discourse of
music education: responses, critical views and also benefits.