Papers by Ray Casserly
The Routledge Companion to the Study of Local Musicking
Leisure and Death: An Anthropological Tour of Risk, Death, and Dying, 2018
Music in Northern Ireland is an often contested and complex art form, interwoven into a legacy of... more Music in Northern Ireland is an often contested and complex art form, interwoven into a legacy of conflict rising from divisions tracing back several centuries. With profound sensitivities apparent in the performance of music, an activity of leisure for many is regularly considered the new form of attack and defence in what politicians frequently refer to as part of the ‘Culture War’. An uncomfortable connection forms between leisure and death as these public performances, often recalling tragic fatal events in history, become awkwardly associated with serious public disorder and violence, risking severe injury or loss of life to the musicians, their supporters, their detractors, and members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). In the face of perceived threats both the musical sounds and their associated meanings can change as the threats of death from the paramilitaries, parade participants, police or protesters, real or perceived, impacts upon music and symbols and their respective interpretations for performers, supporters, protesters, and observers.
Adam Kaul and Jonathan Skinner (eds). 2018. Leisure and Death: An Anthropological Tour of Risk, Death, and Dying. University of Colorado Press: Boulder.
The Routledge Companion to the Study of Local Musicking, 2018
This chapter outlines how musicians seek to amalgamate their immediate local community with their... more This chapter outlines how musicians seek to amalgamate their immediate local community with their larger imagined community, connecting a parochial collective with their British identity. By invoking their communal memory in band names, uniforms, flags, repertoires, instruments, and musical styles, and juxtaposing this to local contexts and concerns, these musicians create and perform their national identity in and for the local context.
Musica E Cultura, Oct 30, 2014
Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch, 2014
This research started as an ambition by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) branch i... more This research started as an ambition by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) branch in Northern Ireland to investigate two important aspects of the branch and the associated Scottish highland bagpipe tradition in Northern Ireland. First, the RSPBA seeks to develop knowledge on the history of the branch from its inception post second World War, through the difficult and complex period in Northern Ireland known as ‘The Troubles’, to the ‘post-conflict’ peace agreement period in the twenty first century. Second, the organisation hopes to develop an ethnographic overview of the present day living tradition of highland bagpipe performances linked or associated to the branch in
Northern Ireland. This document deals primarily with the first of these objectives. However, early into the research we realised that uncovering the dates and details of organisation formations would only provide a limited picture of those early years of the RSPBA in Northern Ireland.
Yearbook for Traditional Music, 2013
Irish Journal of Anthropology, 2010
Flute Bands in Northern Ireland have long been associated with many negative stereotypes. From su... more Flute Bands in Northern Ireland have long been associated with many negative stereotypes. From supposed links to paramilitary organizations to overt statements of discrimination emanating from some tunes or banners, the widely-hel public opinion on flute bands contends that they are negaative, aggressive, politically-based relics from a previously paramilitary-dominated era of social divide. With all the political progress in mind we are forced to ask why these bands continue to maintain their high membership levels. The paper investigates how Protestant flute bands in Rathcoole attract and maintain new memberships by providing a social network to musicians.
Presentations by Ray Casserly
Most US and European colleges and universities promote similar learning outcomes for their libera... more Most US and European colleges and universities promote similar learning outcomes for their liberal arts programs, producing competent graduates that will enter today’s competitive work force. However the strategies to achieve these goals remain quite different, especially according to the perception of our American students. For example, many European classrooms provide less continuous assessment, fewer opportunities for student interaction and less guidance in how to prepare for exams. However, with the proper guidance, students often rise to the challenge and indicate in evaluations that this approach has led to greater intellectual autonomy and self-discipline as well a clear sense of academic purpose. In addition, students say that the experience prepares them for their senior thesis, internships and even graduate school. How can we better prepare our students to understand and assimilate the differences for successful outcomes?
Conference Presentations by Ray Casserly
Through study abroad, students are immersed in multiple concurrent, interrelating realms that are... more Through study abroad, students are immersed in multiple concurrent, interrelating realms that are both tangible and intangible. Digital technology gives students platforms to interact, engage, and understand their learning environment as they present, articulate, and deconstruct experiences outside of the classroom. Join us for a critical conversation on the digital presence of students abroad. We’ll present examples of students creating digital stories of their learning experiences and discuss models that support students’ critical evaluation and deconstruction of their digital and tangible selves and those of the other.
How do we break the third wall between study abroad group bubble voyeurism to allow for meaningfu... more How do we break the third wall between study abroad group bubble voyeurism to allow for meaningful, authentic engagement abroad? During this session, we'll investigate the implications of involving local parties in faculty-led study abroad, particularly for pointedly focused curriculum in non-traditional areas of study. Faculty, student, and provider perspectives speak to experiences of international collaboration, challenges and successes, and how to utilize local networks to coordinate a meaningful and engaging experience abroad. Additionally, faculty and resident staff will reflect specifically on seeking out relevant and timely contacts and experiences and will provide personal examples of how to position a program experience and curriculum to facilitate growth.
“Hybrid” has a dual meaning in education: a mixing of curricula and objectives, but also a mixing... more “Hybrid” has a dual meaning in education: a mixing of curricula and objectives, but also a mixing of delivery methods, online and face-to-face. This session thinks about hybrid in these broad terms and asks how educators can create the necessary bridges between U.S.-style higher learning, online tools, and an authentic European study-abroad experience.
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Papers by Ray Casserly
Adam Kaul and Jonathan Skinner (eds). 2018. Leisure and Death: An Anthropological Tour of Risk, Death, and Dying. University of Colorado Press: Boulder.
Northern Ireland. This document deals primarily with the first of these objectives. However, early into the research we realised that uncovering the dates and details of organisation formations would only provide a limited picture of those early years of the RSPBA in Northern Ireland.
Presentations by Ray Casserly
Conference Presentations by Ray Casserly
Adam Kaul and Jonathan Skinner (eds). 2018. Leisure and Death: An Anthropological Tour of Risk, Death, and Dying. University of Colorado Press: Boulder.
Northern Ireland. This document deals primarily with the first of these objectives. However, early into the research we realised that uncovering the dates and details of organisation formations would only provide a limited picture of those early years of the RSPBA in Northern Ireland.