Thinking rodas and sessions: considerations about the field of intersectional music

Author(s)

Renan Moretti Bertho

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Artes
• Defense date: 2022-11-25

Examining board members

Lenita Waldige Mendes Nogueira; José Roberto Zan; Lorena Avellar de Muniagurria; Pedro de Moura Aragão; Rose Satiko Gitirana Hikiji

• Advisor: Suzel Ana Reily; Lenita Waldige Mendes Nogueira

Abstract

This research seeks to understand rodas de choro and sessions of Irish traditional music as part of the field of intersectional music, which is simultaneously participatory and presentational. Historically, music practised in these situations was structured collectively, serving informal and festive situations; however, across the years, ways of playing changed and, little by little, absorbed new values, thus incorporating presentational fundamentals. Given these characteristics, it is worth saying that participants who dedicate themselves to this music can experience two simultaneous and intersected sensations: the responsibility to present themselves – since they are exposed to a particular audience that can judge and evaluate them – and, at the same time, the serenity of being in an environment in which participation and social integration are precious – not to say indispensable values. In this research, groups that organize situations like this are understood as communities of musical practices, since they have a structured nucleus of people who aim to improve and develop the domain of their practices. That said, I seek to answer the question: how do different musical practices articulate participatory dimensions and presentational experiences simultaneously by promoting social experience and artistic achievement? To answer this question, I did field research in seven cities in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil, and also in the city of Dublin, Ireland. During this research, I adopted participant observation as a tool for constructing ethnographic data in text, sound and audiovisual models. The study also explores the field of intersectional music in the virtual environment, because with the Covid-19 pandemic musicians were not allowed to meet themself to play in person, so they began a movement of virtualization of their practices. I conclude with a series of considerations on the main characteristics of the field of intersectional music, especially the models of participation, the aesthetic orientations and the symbolic values added to the repertoire (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/10363-4 - Pathways of choro: between participatory and presentational on the rodas from the interior of São Paulo
• Grantee: Renan Moretti Bertho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate