Script for Introduction and Concluding Remarks
Introduction
An individual's overall identity consists of numerous component identities - such as race, gender, or religion. Each of these identities possesses a different degree of salience, which can be influenced greatly by situation and context. In the same way, the context of music-making may affect which aspects of an individual's identity he or she regards as most salient. On the flip side, the salience of identities may also affect how they do or do not show up in music. Which aspects of identity do music-makers intend to reveal in their music? What do they want their music to speak to? And how much meaning is attached to this music? Through speaking with three Emory students who are also musicians, I hope to learn a little bit about their personal experiences with music, and how their music-making is intertwined with their identities.
Concluding Remarks
Speaking with these musicians was a truly rewarding and eye-opening experience. When I began this project, I predicted that all three musicians would mention race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status as the aspect of their identity that is most salient in either their music or in their daily lives. Needless to say, I was surprised when all three mentioned something completely different than what I had in mind: their changes in environment and their experiences with different cultures and locations. To a degree, I had originally framed my questions in the context of a specific answer that I had in mind; but, more often than not, I was surprised by the answers that my questions yielded. This contrast shed light on the differences between their perspectives as music-makers, and my perspective as a music-consumer. However, when all is said and done, no matter your identity or perspective, you can’t help but be touched by their absolute love for their art.
An individual's overall identity consists of numerous component identities - such as race, gender, or religion. Each of these identities possesses a different degree of salience, which can be influenced greatly by situation and context. In the same way, the context of music-making may affect which aspects of an individual's identity he or she regards as most salient. On the flip side, the salience of identities may also affect how they do or do not show up in music. Which aspects of identity do music-makers intend to reveal in their music? What do they want their music to speak to? And how much meaning is attached to this music? Through speaking with three Emory students who are also musicians, I hope to learn a little bit about their personal experiences with music, and how their music-making is intertwined with their identities.
Concluding Remarks
Speaking with these musicians was a truly rewarding and eye-opening experience. When I began this project, I predicted that all three musicians would mention race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status as the aspect of their identity that is most salient in either their music or in their daily lives. Needless to say, I was surprised when all three mentioned something completely different than what I had in mind: their changes in environment and their experiences with different cultures and locations. To a degree, I had originally framed my questions in the context of a specific answer that I had in mind; but, more often than not, I was surprised by the answers that my questions yielded. This contrast shed light on the differences between their perspectives as music-makers, and my perspective as a music-consumer. However, when all is said and done, no matter your identity or perspective, you can’t help but be touched by their absolute love for their art.