Western music history has largely favored male artists, while female and non-binary artists and composers have been largely excluded from historical narratives. This has contributed to musical canons where important voices are missing. This is the topic of a seminar held at Ingesund School of Music in mid-May.
How can canonical traditions in music, that is, perceptions of what is most central within musical traditions, be challenged and expanded from a gender perspective? "Challenging musical canons" is a joint research and development project between Guro Gravem Johansen, Professor of Music Pedagogy at Ingesund School of Music, and Eva Beneke, Associate Professor of Classical Guitar, Gjertrud Pedersen, Associate Professor of Music History at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
– If only men see their gender represented in music history books, on concert posters, and festival programs, we risk that people of other genders cannot identify or feel at home in music. Additionally, it gives a false picture of how the music field actually is and has been, and it is important not to repeat an incorrect image. In this seminar, we will discuss various approaches in our research that aim to create a better balance in understanding who and what has been historically important in different genres, but has fallen outside the norm of what a successful artist is, why this has happened, and the perceived consequences for today's music students. Seminar participants will also have the pleasure of hearing guitarist Eva play fantastic music by female composers – who were stars in their time but are not mentioned in the books. The seminar takes place during an orchestra project week at Ingesund, which is an interesting coincidence, as we will highlight the importance of a critical approach to the reproduction of standard repertoire for orchestras and ensembles.
At this seminar, which also includes a discussion workshop, Eva, Gjertrud, and Guro will talk about perspectives from Western classical music history and jazz to examine gendered experiences among music students, combined with Eva's guitar performances of pieces by central female composers from the 18th century to today.
The seminar and workshop are organized by the research cluster at Ingesund School of Music and are open to all students and staff at Karlstad University. Welcome!
When? Wednesday, May 14, 10.15-12.00
Where? Ingesund School of Music, Room 234
