AIRS 4th Annual Meeting: 2012

Title: Children's Songs Fieldwork Project: Bahian Children Sing their Favourite Songs
Authors: Angelita Broock (Federal University of Bahia), Beatriz Ilari (University of Southern
California)

Abstract

Children sing in many contexts of their everyday lives. They learn songs and musical games as
they interact with teachers, family members and friends, whether in moments of leisure or
formal learning (Campbell, 2002). Songs play important roles in many aspects of their lives. But,
to this date, little is known about the songs that children choose to sing well as their functions
and meanings. Furthermore, how these songs shape early musical preferences remains
unknown. This is especially true in the case of Brazil, where research concerning music and
children is in its early stages. The present study was conducted in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil with
six 4- to 6-year–olds. Although five children participated in the Outreach Project "Musicalização
Infantil" of the Federal University of Bahia, they did not know each other. Children were invited
to meet with the researcher as in a focus group, and talk about music and sing. Eleven songs
were collected: nine traditional folksongs and two pop songs (e.g., Xuxa, Skank). Sung
performances included both individual and collective renditions. These musical selections are
probably a result of what children learn at home or at school. However, it was also interesting
that children chose to sing traditional songs over invented or pop ones. The fact that children
were singing in groups and that the researcher was the music teacher of many, possibly
influenced their selection. Likewise, it is also possible that this repertoire represents the
stereotypical view of music teaching in the early years. As Campbell (2002) suggested, it is
generally accepted that teachers, have a very similar repertoire, despite their own
particularities. In Brazil, this also happens, with and usually this "common repertoire" contains
songs of the folk repertoire. A full musicological analysis of songs, lyrics, contents, singing
ranges and meanings attributed to selections will be presented at the meeting. Implications for
music education will also be provided.