Fw: Re: Music and open space - Reply

[Peggy Holman, Open Space Institute]

Reinhard,

While this answer does not have the depth of Chris' wonderful response to
your question, here's a different use for music that I've experienced in
Open Space.  I have participated in several Open Spaces where a song, sung
by participants, was used during the opening and/or closing of the circle.
I would second Chris' comment that music seems to bring spirit into the room
more quickly.

Ironically, in one case, the music opening the circle was a simple child's
round: Row, Row, Row Your Boat.  So, while I second Chris' question of "whom
is the music serving?"  The choice itself can be unlikely and be effective.

Peggy Holman


-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Kloth <kloth at TMN.COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list OSLIST <OSLIST at IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU>
Date: Thursday, February 05, 1998 5:20 AM
Subject: Re: Music and open space - Reply


>Reinhard, this is Chris Kloth.  I have been reading but not "talking" on
>OSLIST for a long time and have used Open Space in a number of settings
>over the last 5 years.
>
>While I have not been responding because I often do not log on untill
>well after the group has moved on or, as many of you will know, I tend
>to ramble a lot in face to face and get even worse on line when there
>are no non-verbal cues to remind me of my habits.
>
>However, this question touches many parts of my past and present life
>and is one I have a relatively clear, concise perspective on.  Here is
>the short version...ask for more if you are interested:
>
>I use music as background, and sometimes forground, in many of my
>organization and community development activities. I have found that
>music seems to help get heart and spirit operating in the room(s) sooner
>than when I do not use it.  I also have begun using bells, chimes or
>other tonal tools as Harrison (and others) have done to convene the
>group.  I think the two practices are related.
>
>HOWEVER, what I have also learned is that when I first began using music
>in my consulting work (about 10 years ago) I was choosing music that met
>MY needs.  It did not always "fit" the needs of the group, culture or
>task I had been engaged to work with.  So it actually undermined my
>effectiveness in some cases!
>
>Since that time I have spent some of my preparation time with groups
>implicitly trying to sense the group and task culture with music as one
>of my "metrics" or metaphors for determining my alignment with the
>client(s).  They may or may not know that this is one of the artifacts I
>am paying attention to.  In any case, depending on the situation, I will
>choose to bring music with me to help "invoke" and reenforce the spirit
>of their aspirations during our work.
>
>So my question for you to consider in answering your question is this:
>
>Who's needs will be met by this flute playing?
>
>and
>
>How will the music invoke the spirit of the group's aspirations?
>
>I can imagine ways in which flute playing could be used to invoke the
>spirit of the church, the spirit of contemplation or the spirit of
>playfulness in ways that might be valuable.  I can also imagine ways in
>which the music could attract attention to the ego of the performer or
>distract people from their intentions.
>
>Was denken sie?
>
>Chris Kloth
>