Safeguarding musical traditions and cultural heritage: The utilisation of community music making as a recourse for cultural and social sustainability

Australia is a country of migrants and many cultures. From the Second World War to 2006-07, more than 6.6 million people from around 200 countries have settled in Australia. Amongst these migrants are Sri Lankan/Australians, the majority whom have settled in Victoria. A qualitative phenomenological case study was conducted in 2009 to explore "how Sri Lankan/Australian students use music for construction of their self identity in multicultural Australia." Participants of this research study are Australian/Victorian school students coming from a Sri Lankan background. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data that were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Benefits of community music making for school students was one of the major themes that emerged from this study. These students recognised the importance of community music making, recalling participation in Sri Lankan community arts performances and cultural events in Australia. This case study identified the importance of community involvement through music education in the process of sustaining their musical traditions and cultural heritage for Sri Lankan-Australian students, thus community music making and activities can be considered a vital resource for cultural, social and educational sustainability.