MusicEd
 








        
 


12. No human culture appears to be without music and singing seems to be universal. In most cultures, music has functions other than simple entertainment and aesthetic expressions for individuals; for example, the use of music by political parties and its role in social institutions, military and sporting functions, weddings, funerals, "music while you work" and its absolutely pivotal role in almost all dance.

13. Two examples of differing seriousness are worth rehearsing. First, the extent to which during adolescence, when listening to music tends to be at its peak, musical tastes can define social identity and some music can be totally unacceptable. This was exemplified with a vengeance in Montreal where classical music was deployed with great success to dissuade young people from 'hanging around' in the underground.

   
  14. Secondly, and more seriously, given the rapid globalisation of societies, is the important role of music in maintaining the continuity and stability of communities through folk music and songs. This is especially true of expatriate communities.
   
 
   
  15. Under the heading of Applications, Sue Hallam draws upon a substantial body of research which demonstrates clearly that music therapy is now well established and has very many applications. That should not be a surprise given the strong evidence that music has been used to alleviate illness and distress in many cultures for centuries. Perhaps the most spectacular findings come from Germany, where over a period of 20 years, research on 90,000 patients has shown that music has beneficial effects. Whether the treatment was short term, eg lumbar puncture, or long term, such as extended labour of more than 24 hours, there were significant differences between music and non-music groups in relation to stress and anxiety. The music programme had the practical effect of reducing drug dosages by as much as 50 per cent.