Eyoel Abera
MUMH 1610
Unit Essay 2
When it comes to performances that involve everyone and doesn’t make the distinction
between performer and audience, this is called participatory performance. Through participatory
performance, a sense of community and connection is created. Rather than anyone being a
passive observer, this is a type of practice that lets people actively engage and interact with
others to create music together. By taking away the traditional boundaries between performers
and the audience, participatory performance can be an effective way of promoting creativity,
empathy, and expression.
In Music As Social Life, Thomas Turino states that, “Flow refers to a state of heightened
concentration, when one is so intent on the activity at hand that all other thoughts, concerns, and
distractions disappear and the actor is fully in the present.” (Turino, 4) When one is focused on
the task at hand, and in this scenario it is performing as a crowd, the group will get lost in the
moment, and it’s almost as everything else doesn’t matter and all that is being done is in the
given moment and in sync with others. A time that I had experienced participatory performance
is when I was at bible study singing hymns and the music of our religion. In order to participate
in the singing of these hymns, we all sing the lyrics provided, clap our hands, as well as move
our hands in certain gestures at certain times in the music. Already being familiar with this type
of performing, I don’t do much thinking and relax within the music being created. Creating that
music with others allowed me to enter that state of flow that I already mentioned in this
paragraph. In that state of flow I am not feeling stressed, frustration, or even asking myself
questions in my head. Outside of those times I may usually find myself doing that. Through
participatory performance and achieving a flow state, it allows me to fully be present in the given
moment and be of service to what we all are creating as a whole.
I believe that through this type of performance, it helps build a strong core foundation of
culture within us and also a sense of unity. When it comes to my own musicality, participatory
performance has definitely played a huge part in helping my expression, and self-confidence.
Because it’s something that everyone is asked to do, it takes away fear, insecurities, and
promotes one’s willingness to participate and grow their confidence. I feel that it comes down to
personal preference whether or not one will indulge themselves in greater understanding of
music and performing. Therefore, the level of musicality can be brought up to an extent through
this type of performing. Although presentational performance, which is the type that does make
the distinction between artist and audience, it becomes a different ball game. In this type of
performance one is asked to take the stage either on their own, or in a smaller group to perform
for a larger crowd. Due to the greater responsibility of this type of performing, it asks for a
greater level of musicality and preparation.
Works Cited
Turino, Thomas. Music As Social Life: The Politics of Participation. University of Chicago
Press, 2008.