Listening is central to musical engagement, fostering deeper understanding through repetition and active participation. As Patricia Shehan Campbell (2005) emphasizes in her World Music Pedagogy (WMP) approach, listening forms the foundation of all musical experiences, allowing learners to internalize essential musical elements. This process not only develops musical skills but also nurtures intercultural awareness and supports Christopher Small’s (1999) theory of musicking through participation.

Folk and art music traditions are integral to Anatolian culture, accompanying individuals throughout daily life. This workshop offers an experiential exploration of Turkish music through the five dimensions of WMP, focusing on Longa—a distinctive instrumental genre that became part of Turkish Art Music in the 19th century through cultural exchange and has remained significant. By integrating listening, movement, improvisation, and cultural context, the session provides a holistic music learning experience. Additionally, participants will explore regional dance patterns, such as Horon and Halay, engaging with the unique rhythms and movements that define Turkey’s diverse musical landscape.

Echoing Campbell’s (2023) assertion that listening is an active process engaging cultural, emotional, and structural components of music, this workshop encourages participants to actively listen to and interact with Turkish instrumental music. Participants will engage with selected Longa pieces through body percussion, rhythmic exercises, and movement, exploring its form and cultural significance. Improvisation and collaborative activities will further deepen their understanding of Longa as an expressive musical form, fostering cultural reflection and interaction.

Workshop Objectives:

• Actively listen to and analyze musical elements such as form, rhythm, and melody.
• Develop knowledge of music history and culture, enriching appreciation for diverse traditions.
• Learn about and through Turkish music via movement, dance, listening, performing, and improvisation.
• Introduce participants to Turkey’s art music culture through hands-on activities.
• Explore the rhythmic structures and cultural significance of Turkish dances.
• Provide tools and techniques for teaching Turkish music in educational settings.

Summary of Activities:

In the initial phase, participants attentively listen to selected Longa compositions, identifying recurring patterns, phrasing, and rhythmic/melodic cycles. Through engaged listening, body percussion, movement, and guided exercises, they internalize Longa’s form and style, with a brief introduction clarifying its cyclical nature.

The enactive listening dimension of WMP encourages active participation through rhythmic accompaniment and group improvisation, fostering musical interaction. In the creative phase, participants experiment with movement and dance, drawing inspiration from Turkish and Balkan traditions to develop a dynamic, collaborative understanding of Longa.

Finally, in the Integrating World Music dimension, the workshop explores Longa’s historical significance, its role in Turkish musical traditions, and its contemporary transformations. Participants reflect on rhythmic patterns and movement traditions from their own cultural backgrounds, broadening their perspectives on musical diversity.

This highly interactive session combines listening activities, movement, and visual materials to deepen understanding of Longa while promoting cultural reflection and intercultural appreciation. By integrating the five dimensions of WMP, the workshop embodies an approach that aligns traditional musical heritage with modern pedagogical practices to inspire both personal and professional growth.

• Meaningful musical experiences
• The nature of musical knowledge
• Music and communities

Viva La Musica is a dynamic group of six music educators based in Bursa, Türkiye, dedicated to making music an inclusive and participatory experience. Through interactive workshops, the group explores and shares traditional music and art, bridging diverse cultural settings. Committed to well-being and cross-cultural understanding, Viva La Musica fosters creativity, connection, cultural appreciation, and community engagement while building meaningful connections through the universal language of music and the arts. Their work promotes Türkiye's rich musical heritage while embracing global traditions, using music as a transformative tool for expression and unity.