Ethnomusicology and Childhood: Studying Children's Music in the Field

In the field of ethnomusicology, the study of children's music has long been overlooked which leads to a lack of understanding of the complex contexts of children's musical worlds. Therefore it is imperative that we explore the historical and current frameworks for research with and about children and young people in the field of ethnomusicology. This paper examines current trends in the study of children's musical cultures in the field by drawing on interdisciplinary approaches to the study of children and childhood. By exploring the ways in which researchers relate to the study of children and childhood, how technology frames research with children and young people, and how applied outcomes impact the study of children's cultures, this paper argues that the study of children's musical cultures must examine the context of their musical lives, both in relation to adult culture and beyond through collaborative and interactive field research. Through a brief overview of ethical considerations for research with children and young people, this paper presents several case studies of approaches to the ethnomusicological study of children's musical cultures and the potential impact this field of research has in and beyond the fields of ethnomusicology and music education. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]