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This research project explores South African Art Music through collaborative practice and the classical saxophone. It begins by investigating the discourse surrounding South African Art Music through testimony collected from various conversations with South African composers, musicians and academics such as Dr Kevin Volans, Dr Antoni Schonken, Professor Hendrik Hofmeyr, Dr Cara Stacey and Arthur Feder. I began collecting the scores of South African saxophone compositions which led to the development of an online catalogue system to document these works -The South African Saxophone Catalogue. This catalogue forms the base - as well as the network - for how this research was developed. To further investigate the South African repertoire, I embarked on creative journeys with four South African composers through performer-composer collaboration. I decided to use this means of investigation as the relationship formed between myself and these composers shows a different level of engagement with this music, first-hand experience in the creation of this music as well as creating an open space for discourse. These collaborations were documented through reflections, audio and video recordings and are investigated in the form of case studies. The final artistic product was a concert featuring these new compositions in Cape Town, South Africa. The data collected was organised through an amalgamation of critical reflection and thematic analysis. Through this collective music-making, I discovered the variety in thought surrounding South African Art Music and paradoxically those who vigorously deny this term. I discovered the complexity both politically and socially that the term South African Art Music implies. In conjunction with my personal reflections, this exposition explores the ideas, opinions and art of individuals in various fields in the South African classical music scene who represent a variety of South African cultural backgrounds and generations.

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  • contents
    • Title Page
    • Contents Page
    • Acknowledgements
    • Chapter 1: Where is Home?
    • Chapter 2: South African Art Music: Then Now + Tomorrow
    • Chapter 3: The South African Saxophone Catalogue
    • Chapter 4 Case Studies: Exploring South African Art Music through performer-composer collaboration
    • Case Study 1: Turbulence by Owen Dalton
    • Case Study 2: Uzovuka Nini? "When will you Wake Up?" by Allan X. Chen
    • Case Study 3: Three Nocturnes from Africa by Arthur Feder
    • Case Study 4: 8 Minute Saxophone by Clare Loveday
    • The Collaboration between Pianist and Saxophonist + The Artistic Result
    • Conclusions
    • Bibliography
    • Josie Mc Clure
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    overview
  • abstract
    This research project explores South African Art Music through collaborative practice and the classical saxophone. It begins by investigating the discourse surrounding South African Art Music through testimony collected from various conversations with South African composers, musicians and academics such as Dr Kevin Volans, Dr Antoni Schonken, Professor Hendrik Hofmeyr, Dr Cara Stacey and Arthur Feder. I began collecting the scores of South African saxophone compositions which led to the development of an online catalogue system to document these works -The South African Saxophone Catalogue. This catalogue forms the base - as well as the network - for how this research was developed. To further investigate the South African repertoire, I embarked on creative journeys with four South African composers through performer-composer collaboration. I decided to use this means of investigation as the relationship formed between myself and these composers shows a different level of engagement with this music, first-hand experience in the creation of this music as well as creating an open space for discourse. These collaborations were documented through reflections, audio and video recordings and are investigated in the form of case studies. The final artistic product was a concert featuring these new compositions in Cape Town, South Africa. The data collected was organised through an amalgamation of critical reflection and thematic analysis. Through this collective music-making, I discovered the variety in thought surrounding South African Art Music and paradoxically those who vigorously deny this term. I discovered the complexity both politically and socially that the term South African Art Music implies. In conjunction with my personal reflections, this exposition explores the ideas, opinions and art of individuals in various fields in the South African classical music scene who represent a variety of South African cultural backgrounds and generations.
  • Josie Mc Clure - Finding Home: An Exploration of South African Art Music through the Classical Saxophone and Collaborative Practice - 2024
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Chapter 1: Where is Home?

Chapter 1: Where is Home?

 

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Research Trajectory and Problem Statement

1.3 Statement of Purpose

1.3.1Research Question

1.4 Research Methodology

1.4.1 Literature Study

 

 

Chapter 2: South African Art Music: Then, Now + Tomorrow

 

2.1 Introduction

2.2 The Rainbow Nation

2.3 How do I - the researcher - identify? And why is that important anyway?

2.3.1 A Reflection of my Identity

2.4 Exploring the term "South African Art Music" through testimony from South African Musicians and Composers

2.4.1 But First: What is "Art Music"?

2.4.2 Unpacking South African Art Music

 

 

Chapter 3: The South African Saxophone Catalogue


 

Chapter 4: Case Studies: Exploring Performer-composer Collaboration through South African Art Music

 

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Collaborative Pianist: Seung-Ree Lee

4.3 Case Studies

Case Study 1: Turbulence by Owen Dalton

Case Study 2: Uzovuka Nini? "When will you Wake Up?" by Allan X. Chen

Case Study 3: Three Nocturnes from Africa by Arthur Feder

Case Study 4: 8 Minute Saxophone by Clare Loveday

4.4 The Collaboration between Pianist and Saxophonist + The Artistic Result

 

 

Chapter 5: Conclusion

 

 

Bibliography