[dcab-l] Fw: Summer Research Project

Hi, Everyone,

      This is closely connected to BG music, so I hope you can offer suggestions. Please send replies to me and I will forward them to our student. I've asked what the itinerary is but I haven't heard back yet.Thanks.

 

Mike Marceau      
www.veteransforpeace.org

 

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Hello Mr. Marceau,

      I am a rising senior at Menlo High School in Atherton, California. I have recently received a grant from the HAND foundation to do an independent research project over the summer. I am studying the distinctive characteristics and geographical spread of Celtic music.

      My plan is to travel to Ireland to study how musicians and music teachers keep traditions alive and meaningful to social identity. I hope to learn two main things: a) why the medium of music, rather than art or literature, is so central to the preservation of Irish cultural history; and b) how Celtic musicians are able to produce their unique sound (both instrumental and vocal). In addition to my research in Ireland, I also intend to travel to Nashville, Tennessee to interview working Bluegrass musicians about the development of the Celtic music brought to the Appalachian area during the 19th century Irish diaspora. Here, I will focus my research on how the styles of traditional Irish music developed into the popular elements of the Bluegrass genre of today.

      I will be in Washington DC on July 1-3, and would love the opportunity to meet with you to gather information on my topic. I can travel anywhere convenient to meet with you. Please let me know if you would be willing to help me. Also, if there are any other resources (scholars, books, musicians, etc) that you could recommend, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!