APSMER2017 PROCEEDINGS

Proceedings of the 11th Asia-Pacific Symposium for Music Education Research
(APSMER 2017) 19th to 21st July 2017, Melaka MALAYSIA
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Strike a Chord: Harmonizing
Music with Service
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Maria Sherla A. Najera
Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines!
ABSTRACT
The study analysed the framework of a Community Music- Service
Learning (CMSL) program implemented in Payatas Philippines.
CMSL is a community engagement through an informal teaching of
music instruments (guitar, keyboard, violin, voice) to children of 8 to
12 years, in Payatas, one of the huge dumpsites in the Philippines.
CMSL was done in partnership with Payatas Orione Foundation, Inc.
(PAOFI), a private, non-profit entity for poverty alleviation programs.
The music teachers comprise the University of the Philippines
students, most of whom are from the College of Music. Using the
interpretive phenomenological approach, the analysis of the
framework was drawn from a triangulation of data collected from
interviews, narratives, photo and video documentation of the (1)
stakeholders’ description of their experiences (2) the development of
the CMSL from its implementation and (3) the CMSL structure in the
light of the practices, approaches and structures of community
engagement, community music, and service learning. Results highlight
positive outcomes among the stakeholders: joy and eagerness in
teaching and learning, fulfilment in serving, perseverance and
creativity, heightened concern for others and recognition of the value
of music. The development of the CMSL program since 2013 outlines
the teaching progression from “rote” to “note”, the addition of
teaching violin and voice; the provisions for transport and food for
children; and more parental support. Furthermore, the program
corroborates studies emphasizing that the processes within community
music initiated by universities are best understood through the
combined interaction of outreach, engagement and service learning.
Identifying strong connections between music and service could be
further achieved by similar researches which could help develop
programs of study combining musical expertise with social work, both
on equal terms, not supplementary but complementary, and by
designing service-based music pedagogy, performance, and research.
Keywords: community music, service learning
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