Exploring Music's Role in a Time of Crisis

This spring, the University of Minnesota School of Music welcomes local experts to discuss how music brings communities together in a time of crisis. The series of events, taking place in Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall, invites musicians, artists, organizers, educators, and community members to engage in meaningful conversations. These discussions create space for collective reflection on how music fosters solidarity and serves as a powerful form of response and expression in moments of social, political, and humanitarian crisis.

Professor of Ethnomusicology Dr. Alaba Ilesanmi led the effort to gather the team of experts speaking at the School of Music. 

"I’m grateful to School of Music Director Patrick Warfield for inviting me to co-curate and lead this series—it felt like an opportunity to help shape a space for these conversations, especially as the attacks on immigrant communities felt deeply personal," Dr. Ilesanmi shares. "At the same time, I was struck by how, in the context of Operation Metro Surge, music was already functioning as both response and anchorage—helping people process, connect, resist, and remain grounded amid anxiety, fear, surveillance, and uncertainty. This series builds on that insight, creating space for community dialogue, reflection, and connection." 

"So many of us have been impacted by music's power in Minnesota over the past few months," says School of Music Director Patrick Warfield. "We've seen artists work to raise funds, develop communities, and increase awareness. This series of panels allows us to explore these issues and others as we work to keep the arts centered in our communities. Thank you to Dr. Ilesanmi for organizing this incredible series of conversations."

The first event in the series took place on March 16 and featured members Liz and Sarah from the local Singing Resistance group. In light of the ongoing challenges facing Minneapolis and communities across Minnesota, participants from Singing Resistance discussed how music serves as a tool to foster solidarity, instill courage, and enhance public visibility. The group also spent time singing together. 

Composing Justice, Sounding Resistance, Staging Solidarity took place on March 30 at 7:00 PM and examined how composers, venues, and cultural networks mediate, shape, and mobilize collective action. Local composer Abbie Betinis, First Avenue President & CEO Dayna Frank, and musician and organizer Nadriah McGill will serve on the discussion panel, which will also include an opportunity for shared signing. 

There is one more event planned for this spring:

Listening for Calm: Music and Well-being in Times of Uncertainty on April 13 at 7:00 PM brings together local experts Chance York, Director of Peace in Practice, and Molly Sturges, founding member of Musika Medica, to explore how music, sound, and mindfulness practices can be used as tools to navigate tension while supporting both personal and collective well being. 

All events take place in Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall and are free & open to the public.