The Roles of Music in Effecting Change: Considerations about Public Policy

Abstract

<jats:p> The aim of this article is to consider questions, issues, and debates about music in public policy, a topic that featured in the final session of the Musics, Selves and Societies workshop at the University of Cambridge in June 2018. The first part of this article provides a backdrop by defining key terminology and describing the political environment in relation to music, specifically in the UK. It deciphers the scope of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) alongside public, professional, and charitable bodies as well as learned societies. The second part highlights three main areas of focus that were identified in the final session of the workshop: considerations about the value of music; considerations about the meaning of music; and considerations about policy-making. Each of these areas are discussed in turn before final remarks are put forward about steps for managing change. </jats:p>