AustLit

'Indigenous communities across Australia are currently experiencing a high level of renewed interest in their song traditions as the present generation of songmen and songwomen take on the responsibilities of their ancestors. Recirculating songs gives voice to these contemporary performers, and looks at the issues they face in learning and passing on their ancestral musical practices in the 21st century. This book is the first of its kind to be devoted specifically to the strategies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are adopting to keep their traditional music alive and strong. At the same time, it introduces the wider public to Australia's rich Indigenous musical heritage, through a series of case studies focused on particular communities or regions. In some parts of the country, where the transmission of musical knowledge from generation to generation has been interrupted, the process of revitalising the song traditions relies, to varying degrees, on historic recordings and documents. So the book also covers the techniques being adopted to access these resources and make them available for contemporary use by Indigenous musicians. In this multi-authored volume, Indigenous and non-Indigenous contributors investigate these issues in locations across Australia, from the south-west tip to the Torres Strait, from the Tiwi Islands to Tasmania. The book takes us on a journey through various song styles and performance practices, from dream songs of the Hunter Valley to Torres Strait Island hymns, from 19th century recordings of Tasmanian singing to classroom musical activities in the Kimberley. Some chapters, such as those focused on communities in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land, also devote specific attention to Aboriginal dance, and to the music that accompanies it. In all of these varied situations, Indigenous Australians are striving to ensure that the store of traditional knowledge contained in the ancestral song repertoires continue to be passed on. Recirculating Songs documents their efforts and also provides audio and video examples via QR codes. The book is rich with new information, insights and inspiration for Indigenous people and communities, researchers and educators, and anyone interested in the music of Indigenous Australia.'  (Publication summary)