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Ethnomusico-logy is the study of music of all types and from all cultures. Ethnomusico-logists not only listen to the sounds of music within particular cultures and events but also inquire into people's ideas and beliefs about music.
Source:
Indiana University Bloomington
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With holiday celebrations just around the corner, December is the month to spotlight music and its role in cultures worldwide. In more than seventy countries, Peace Corps Volunteers interact with music in amazing and inspirational ways, sometimes engaging in their host countries’ musical traditions, sometimes sharing their own musical talents, and always forging powerful links with the people they serve.
Discover Peace Corps Volunteer Louise Pascale’s musical journey in Afghanistan, and read about how she served that country decades later by returning traditional songs to a generation who may never have heard them. Your students will also enjoy hearing Afghan children sing one of these songs.
Excite your classes with a series of slide shows highlighting the musical talents of volunteer Dave Fossum, who worked to master the two-stringed dutar during his service in Turkmenistan. Not only did Dave come back to the United States motivated to pursue graduate studies in music, but also he honored the community he served through his dedication to its musical tradition.
In time for World AIDS Day on December 1, connect your students with volunteer Amy Patanasinth’s inspiring story of how she organized a competition in Togo for students to create songs to educate about HIV/AIDS.
As always, look to Coverdell World Wise Schools for innovative cross-cultural classroom resources, such as our new French translation of a popular slide show, as well as new HIV/AIDS educational materials for your students. |
| Multimedia Resources |
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Videos: The Language of Music
Peace Corps Volunteer Dave Fossum learned to play his host country’s national music during his service in Turkmenistan. |
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Story: Sing Out! Stop SIDA!
Peace Corps Volunteer Amy Patanasinth organized a song competition in Togo to educate about HIV/AIDS. |
| Seeking an Education Program Specialist |
The Coverdell World Wise Schools (CWWS) program provides a variety of services and materials to help American school children learn about, understand, and appreciate the diverse cultures and issues of the world. The education program specialist will be part of a small team developing content about global issues based on the Peace Corps Volunteer experience, and providing support and technical assistance to K-12 educators in the use of CWWS resources to develop “globally ready” kids. The candidate should have the ability to develop curriculum content in multiple media formats, represent and promote curriculum projects to agency and external stakeholders, inspire and communicate clearly with program constituents, participate and contribute as an integral part of a small team, and facilitate professional development activities for K-12 educators. Professional teaching experience is required; experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer is desirable. Location: Peace Corps Headquarters, Washington, D.C. For more information and to apply, go to Peace Corps vacancies page and locate Education Program Specialist announcement number DPC8-A0270-AJ.
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Q: What is the role of music in your host country? Is there any music that you brought from home that particularly appeals to the members of your host community?
A: People in my community in Ukraine know many traditional songs. People often sing when they have spent a few hours together for a meal, birthday, or holiday. These songs have simple melodies and lyrics about the human experience. Some are sad, some joyful, and others hilarious.
Young people are especially interested in the newest and still undiscovered hip hop and rap from the United States. They love to break dance and sing along in English.
—Josef Bartels, TEFL Peace Corps Volunteer, Ukraine
A: Music plays a central role in Ghana. People play music all day long. Walking through town one will hear hip-hop featuring Akon and Rhianna. In taxis, one will hear music in the local language. On Sundays, I do not use a clock to know the time, but the rhythmic sounds of church music at different intervals of the morning. Everyone loves music here. I try to incorporate some of the rock music I have, and Ghanians love country music.
—Carolyn Abdenour, Business Management Peace Corps Volunteer, Ghana
A: Incredibly, I brought reggae from home. Currently my favorite Jamaican artist is Taurus Riley. Music is a substantial part of Jamaican culture. Even the ninth-day service when someone dies includes hours of music which varies from pop, country, and dance hall to traditional African drums. The themes are different and based on the preferences of the deceased’s family. Life in Jamaica is like living in a film, as there is always background music.
—Barbara Aishton, Public Health and Sanitation Peace Corps Volunteer, Jamaica |
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