Abstract
AbstractThe aim of this study is to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musical societies in the Valencian Region, which were declared as an Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest in 2018. These cultural societies, which include over 1,100 bands, have had to make changes to adapt to the global pandemic. They are made up of symphonic bands, music schools, choirs, orchestras and other musical groups. Their social structure involves a large part of the Valencian Region’s population which, to some extent, becomes part of the creative process and transfer of musical languages, such as cultural transmission and historical content. This teaching model includes a variety of strategies, such as generating community ties that go beyond the social dimension. Moreover, the process of transformation, adaptation and resilience followed by these musical societies in order to maintain their training routines and other tasks will be analysed through an ethnographic study. This aims to focus on the extent of the economic, social and pedagogical impact of COVID-19 on these organisations.
Highlights
According to data from the Valencian Region Federation of Musical Societies, there are over 1,100 bands, over 600 educational centres, over 40,000 musicians, 60,000 students and 200,000 members in the Valencian Region’s musical societies (Las Provincias, 2020)
Another source of income is provided by subsidies for music schools, which are granted by the Valencian Regional Government’s General Directorate for Vocational and Special Training
Due to the global pandemic, musical society bands stopped functioning during the state of alarm in Spain, declared on 14 March 2020 by Royal Decree 463/2020 (BOE, 2020) and extended until 21 June 2020, by articles 1 and 2 of Royal Decree 555/2020 on 5 June (BOE, 2020). During this time, teaching activities moved to an online format overnight in response to safety measures which initially prevented citizens from leaving their homes, and later on required adaptation to new safety regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Summary
Musical societies in the Valencian Region are complex structures that include symphonic bands, music schools, choirs and orchestras. According to its own statement, the FSMCV defines as itself “a non-profit entity whose objective is to unite its member associations in order to promote, disseminate and dignify the hobby, teaching and practice of music, by promoting the associations and providing civil society with means of development and cultural organisation” (FSMCV, 2020). It represents and defends the interests of musical societies in their relations with public and private institutions, and it requests, channels and advises them on the financial aid available and the subsidies granted by national and international institutions, and contributes to their cultural and educational work
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