When music therapists adopt an ethnographic approach: Discovering the music of ultra-religious boys in Israel

Abstract

Our music therapy encounters with boys from a unique cultural sector in Israel, namely ultra-religious Jews, indicated an urgent need to investigate what their musical world was composed of. Since no prior research has systematically mapped the musical world of these children, a basic field study was required and an ethnographic approach seemed most appropriate. Interviews were conducted with the main musicians who are responsible for shaping much of the musical world of ultra-religious children, as well as music educators, and the data was analysed according to an ethnographically informed framework. Results indicated the existence of a rich and varied musical repertoire that contains sub-genres such as popular ultra-religious music, children’s songs, play songs for toddlers, lullabies and waking up songs, Shabbat table songs, learning songs, and traditional melodies (audio recordings are provided). Several distinct environments were revealed in which the music was relevant to the children: the home, educational spaces, weddings and celebrations, and the synagogue. The contribution of these findings to music therapists is discussed. It is stressed that music therapists with such knowledge may increase the level of trust between themselves and their client. In addition, this knowledge has the potential of enabling a music therapist to be better attuned to the ultra-religious communal agenda and thus have increased levels of empathy and tolerance to the client and the issues he or she faces.