Jazz as a Language of Peace: Composing for Unity, Resilience, and Social Change
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Abstract
This project explores the role of jazz as a medium for peacebuilding, focusing on the genre’s capacity to convey messages of resilience, unity, and social engagement. Drawing inspiration from jazz’s historical significance in movements like the Civil Rights era, the research revolves around the composition and arrangement of six original works. Developed in collaboration with Berklee musicians, these pieces are informed by critical study of jazz history, stylistic analysis, and genre diversity, aiming to communicate both emotional nuance and socio-cultural themes. To assess the effectiveness of the music in promoting peace-related concepts, structured feedback will be gathered through questionnaires from a varied audience that includes musicians, non-musicians, and faculty members. The project ultimately seeks to demonstrate how jazz continues to serve as a powerful tool for fostering empathy, encouraging dialogue, and addressing contemporary social issues.
Publication Date
7-1-2025
Campus
Valencia (Spain) Campus
Keywords
Peacebuilding; Jazz and Social Change; Musical Expression; Emotional Resonance
Recommended Citation
Chow, Qian. “Jazz as a Language of Peace: Composing for Unity, Resilience, and Social Change.” Master's thesis, Berklee College of Music, 2025. https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-contemporary-performance/325.