The brass band today: contemporary strategies of group sustentability

• Grant number: 24/14950-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Music
• Principal Investigator: Suzel Ana Reily
• Grantee: João Henrique Amancio Gião
• Host Institution: Instituto de Artes (IA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project involves an ethnographic study of civil brass bands in the state of São Paulo and southern Minas Gerais. As one of the most widespread instrumental formats in the world, brass bands have historically played a significant role in the daily life of Brazilian cities. However, it is currently observed that these groups are losing their performance spaces and experiencing a weakening of their ties with sponsoring institutions. Consequently, each group has found its own ways to remain active, directing efforts towards different spheres of their musical practice. Thus, through a bibliographic mapping, participant observation of different bands within the selected area, and the cross-referencing of the data obtained with the concept of community of practice, this research aims to investigate the strategies that enable the sustainability of these groups in contemporary society and thereby identify potential trends in how brass bands adapt over time and remain relevant.