Advocating a folkloristic disposition in the context of music pedagogy

Abstract

This chapter introduces The Walk to Kitty's Stone, a unique choral composition that intertwines the personal narrative of the composer with indigenous epistemology to create an autoethnographic reflection. Originating in 2018, this 17-minute piece harnesses 140 voices to articulate an immersive experience. Central to its creation is the recognition of the landscape and its inhabitants as active participants, aligning with an autoethnographic approach that acknowledges the agency of both human and non-human entities. Drawing from Bausinger's folkloristic framework, the composition engages with temporal, social, and spatial dimensions, providing a multifaceted exploration of the journey. A key innovation in the composition process is the development of the perambulograph, a device enabling on-the-move graphic scoring to capture the nuances of the journey in real time. Employing this methodology across 30 iterations, the composer achieves a comprehensive understanding of the varied perspectives at play. Beyond its artistic merits, this work advocates for a folkloristic disposition within music pedagogy, positioning songwriting as a form of arts-based practice-as-research. Through The Walk to Kitty's Stone, the composer not only crafts a captivating musical narrative but also advances a broader discourse on the intersection of ethnography, creativity, and education.