Creating and Performing Contemporary Music as a Way of Learning

Abstract

The article analyses the results of a case study on a workshop for contemporary music which represents an excellent example of arts partnership in Slovenia. The aim of the workshop was to stimulate creative use of contemporary musical language in connection with the development of the lifelong cultural awareness and expression competence. The results of the interviews with 17 participants of the workshop pointed out the complex occurrence of various indicators, which, at the level of personal, social and intellectual competences, determined the nature of musical expression through contemporary music and indirectly influenced the development of the lifelong cultural awareness and expression competence. Through the creative process, participants expressed motivation and sensitivity for contemporary music and developed their musical abilities as well as their sense of community and self-identity. The identified challenges included students’ lack of musical experience with contemporary music, the low priority given to contemporary music in schools as well as teachers’ lack of professional knowledge in this field. Key words: contemporary musical language; educational and cultural institutions; lifelong culture awareness and expression competence; personal and social competences