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Abstract:
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This thesis and documentary film proposal explores how cultural definitions of music restrict certain populations from full musical participation and how new communication technologies are helping provide marginalized populations with access to musical expression. Music is a vital human communication form and limiting access from certain people is a social injustice. Innovation in ideology and practices, and the adoption of advanced technologies, help reduce social access barriers to musical participation for all people. This thesis and documentary film proposal examines historical evidence of how marginalized musicians and musical forms together have worked to confront cultural boundaries and enter mainstream disciplined and popular musical culture. Modern technologies help foster musical experimentation and, in a rapidly expanding digital economy, are offering new modes of musical expression to underserved audiences. This thesis proposes that using technology to extend musical practice to new audiences, and loosening social definitions that govern music, will make musical culture more inclusive and socially just than ever before. |