Publication Date
11-2022
Document Type
Bibliography
Organizational Units
College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Lamont School of Music, Composition, Musicology and Ethnomusicology
Keywords
Orchestra, Mental illness, Support, Community music initiatives
Abstract
The Me2/ Orchestra is a Boston-based community orchestra for people living with mental illness and those who support them. Me2/’s mission, according to its website, is “to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness (including addiction) through supportive classical music rehearsals and inspiring performances.” In order to investigate the methods and practices used by Me2/ to fulfill this mission, this annotated bibliography compiles important literature on community music initiatives with social projects. Concepts of “participation” and “performance” are explored, as well as problems posed by research into the effectiveness of arts programs. In addition, the distinction is made between amateur music-making and its general positive effect on mental health and wellbeing, and professional music-making, which is often accompanied by higher rates of mental illness. Across the diverse sources presented here, emergent themes include identity formation and transformation, and musical space as a temporary but powerful site of social change. Hopefully, by situating Me2/ within a body of community music research, this paper provides a basis for understanding the organization’s musical practices and social impact.
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Recommended Citation
Cyphers, Lee, "Participation and Community Healing in the Me2/ Orchestra" (2022). Musicology and Ethnomusicology: Student Scholarship. 132.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/musicology_student/132