Dubois, Vincent

Sociology of Wind Bands, the: Amateur Music Between Cultural Domination and Autonomy

Despite the musical and social roles they play in many parts of the world, wind bands have not attracted much interest from sociologists. The Sociology of Wind Bands provides a sociological account of this musical universe. Based on a qualitative and quantitative survey conducted in north-eastern France, the authors present a vivid description of the orchestras, the backgrounds and practices of their musicians, and the repertoires they play. Their multi-level analysis sheds new light on the social organisation, meanings and functions of a type of music. They propose an imaginative and balanced framework which, beyond the specific case of wind music, is an innovative contribution to the sociology of lowbrow culture.