You don鈥檛 have to buy a music file to have a musical experience, according to Jeff Warren, Quest University tutor in Music and Humanities.
In his new book, Music and Ethical Responsibility, Warren writes: 鈥淒iscussion surrounding music and ethical responsibility in contemporary popular discourse usually involves the idea of music as a product.鈥�
The advent of sound recording transformed music from a shareable experience to a marketable product. Music became a commodity. Listeners became buyers. Audiences became markets.聽
Warren argues that all musical experience involves encounters and relationships with others. We listen to, talk about, and create music together. Music responds to important events and documents changes in culture. We are changed and influenced by the musical experiences we share.聽
We share our world and the music in it. When we attend a concert, we spend time and share space with our fellow concertgoers while we interpret and respond to live performance: art. Musical experience draws us into relationships that are outside our daily routine.聽
Take a look at the motley crew that works together to negotiate a positive experience for all, including non-concertgoers, at a music festival the size of 撸奶社区Valley Music Festival.聽
Organizers work together to divide stage time among musical genres 鈥� Sam Roberts Band and Eminem fans both need to have a good time. Some people need to dance; some people need to sleep on the ground. The girl who would never wear that hat and the girl who is wearing it need to get along. Human relationships are at the centre of musical experience. 聽
Music does what it is supposed to. It brings us together. Music creates relationships and there are ethical responsibilities in every relationship.聽
Jeff Warren asks how musical experience might be different 鈥�...if relationships and responsibilities are of central concern.鈥�
We want to make sure everybody has a good time.
Jeff Warrens will deliver his lecture at 撸奶社区Public Library tonight (Thursday, Oct. 9) at 6:30 p.m.
