Listening with 'big ears': Accountability in cross-cultural music education research with Indigenous partners
Date
2022
Authors
Prest, Anita
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Studies in Music Education
Abstract
In this theoretical article, I examine various conceptions of focused listening—including those held
by specific First Nations communities—to determine how each conception might offer insights for
listening while conducting cross-cultural music education research. First, I discuss the notion of
“Big Ears,” as it is understood by the jazz community. Then, I turn to scholars from various First
Nations in British Columbia to learn about their conceptions of listening. I outline decolonial
listening strategies as proposed by Indigenous Arts scholar Dylan Robinson, before learning about
the role of listening from a settler-Canadian who formally Witnessed the testimonies of Indigenous
residential school survivors over a period of years while working for the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada. I examine the writings of music education researchers who have proposed
listening as an important strategy in cross-cultural/intercultural pedagogy and research, albeit in
different circumstances and for different reasons. Finally, I describe/reflect on my process of learning
to listen cross-culturally as a settler-Canadian music education researcher engaged in communitybased
participatory research (CBPR) over the course of three studies, and list some of the ongoing
questions I have. I conclude by proposing a revised understanding of Listening with “Big Ears” as one
possible way for non-Indigenous researchers using a CBPR approach to enhance their application
of Indigenist research methodology, especially in demonstrating their accountability to Indigenous
co-researchers, participants, and communities, as they engage collaboratively in music education
research.
Description
Keywords
cross-cultural research, decolonization, First Nations, listening
Citation
Prest, A. (2022). “Listening with ‘big ears’: Accountability in cross-cultural music education research with Indigenous partners.” Research Studies in Music Education, 0(0), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X221140988