Music 2.0: Comusication as AQAL social technology

IEC Conference: cancelled

Come and play in the musical ‘we’ space! As a pathway to greater social mindfulness, ‘comusication’, or attuned collaborative, communicative musical improvisation is an emerging practice of musicality that can engage participants and settings across developmental levels. It offers possibilities for connection for individuals ranging from pre-verbal/sensory stages, through developing individuation and dialogue, examining communication and team strategies, all the way to connected transpersonal experience.

This form of musicality disrupts the performer/audience polarity through engaging our innate human musicality.  Participants become creators (attention inward), connectors (attention outward), and ultimately, influencers of the emerging music, whilst progressing towards increasing degrees of attunement and connectedness to the wider group.

This will be an entirely practical, joyful musical romp across the spectrum – with no previous musical experience necessary, and instruments provided. Fancy a jam?

BENTLEY, Jane Dr

United Kingdom

Jane Bentley is a drummer, singer, and music in healthcare practitioner and consultant, based in Glasgow, Scotland. In 2011 she was awarded her PhD based on interactive improvisation, highlighting the effects of group music making on human wellbeing.

For over 20 years she has worked with people in healthcare, prison services, communities, businesses, and performing groups.  She has trained musicians, educators, music therapists, and healthcare staff from Brighton to Bangalore.

Her work with mental health has been recognised through the Epic award for the best voluntary arts project in Scotland and inspired the formation of several other drumming groups for mental and social wellbeing.

In 2018, she spent a year as an Atlantic fellow for Equity in Global Brain Health, at the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College, Dublin, exploring the interaction between music and brain health.

As a musician, she plays with the Ha Orchestra, an African diaspora orchestra playing newly composed music on traditional instruments, and folk trio Siskin Green. She has been an integral fangirl for 25 years.