Community; authenticity; growth: The role of musical participation in the Iona Community's island centres

This report offers a descriptive account of a setting where group music-making is an integral part of the fabric of daily community life, and where the entire community becomes involved in musical interactions. It is a religious community with an explicit orientation towards hospitality and welcome; the renewal of worship, and peace and justice in the world: as such, music is used to reflect and sustain these concerns. A musical hospitality is thus offered, which necessitates an appropriate pedagogy in order to include those who have little previous experience of music making. In addition, the function and content of the music are critical in manifesting the philosophy of the community, leading to its generation and use of new songs, wee songs, and world church songs which supplement more traditional forms of church music, and help to both challenge, and nurture the life of the gathered congregation.