Music Talent & Performance: Conservatory Cultural System

by Henry Kingsbury

A provocative study of the cultural dynamics of classical music in American society. It describes music as a metaphor of the society in which it takes place.

Genres: Music

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Millie Mince · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while writing an ethnographic paper on the rooting factors of performance anxiety faced by classical music students. Throughout reading, there were so many times that I thought, “Yes! This guy gets it.” He described the culture well, relying on interviews with students, observation at a conservatory, and his own personal experience.

Anyone affiliated with classical music - students, teachers, professors, professional musicians - should read this book.

[Grace Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kingsbury is just so smart I eat up everything he says. I love every one of his takes and the intersection between anthropological perspectives and music in society i cannot believe im rating an academic book on goodreads but here we are.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book (for me) was the chapter on the concept of talent. Interesting stuff!