Rebecca Finnerty Dr.

Guenzel ENC 1102-14 3/14/14 Draft #1 This article by Charles Carson was published in the Ethnomusicology Forum in 2004. The British Forum for Ethnomusicology is an association whose goals are to advance the study, practice, documentation, preservation and dissemination of traditional music dance, including fold, popular, classical, urban, and other genres of all countries. (British Forum for Ethnomusicology) At the time of this publication Charles Carson was a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania studying music history (Carson). He currently works at the University of Texas at Austin as a musicologist who has offered many presentations on theme park music and jazz (The University of Texas at Austin) Overall Carson is qualified to speak about the effects of music on the average guest of the Walt Disney World Resort. There are three main arguments that Carson makes in this article. Disney links experiences both current and from the past through music using nostalgia. Disney also uses music to make boundaries in the park both physically and mentally. And that the music used in the park ties together all experiences in the park causing the infamous Disney Experience (Carson). Throughout the article you can get a sense that Carson may not have the best view on the company as a whole. He continually uses strong language consistent to someone who was thing to make an assertive point. An ulterior argument may be that Disney uses music to manipulate perception and authenticity within the parks. Unfortunately with this type of research there is no hard fact like there would be in a scientific article. Carson admits to his experience being his Disney experience which may not be the one that Disney wants you to have. I have to rely on the findings of experts even if they may have bias towards or against the material.

Rebecca Finnerty Dr. Guenzel ENC 1102-14 3/14/14 Draft #1 Music plays an integral role in the Disney experience both to recall memories and to form them. Carson defines three types of musical events that guests experience once in the park. The first is defined as piped in music, which is the music that is played in the background when walking through different parts of the park. In fact in magic kingdom the emphasis on the separation of the different section of the park is so strict that a costumed cast member from one park is not allowed to step foot in another part of the park though changing out of costume. The second type of music is the live music which is the music performed by performers on stage and in different parts of the park this can include all shows and parades. The third type of music is the pre-recorded music. This is most likely used in parades or in parts of stage shows. Carson then takes the argument from the music and how it is used in the parks to influence guest experience to a commentary on how Disney uses detail to distort reality into their own kind of reality. He calls this hyperreality and offers a heightened sense of reality (Carson). He pays special attention to the music and culture within the world showcase in Walt Disneys Epcot. As a man who is well versed in the traditional music and cultures of the countries represented he refers to his past experiences when looking at the Disney version of the culture. Disney strives to make sure that even if the guest doesnt go on vacation to that country they wil l experience the traditional experience that is associated with that culture.

Rebecca Finnerty Dr. Guenzel ENC 1102-14 3/14/14 Draft #1 Works Cited

British Forum for Ethnomusicology E, . N.p.. Web. 10 Mar 2014. <http://www.bfe.org.uk/about-bfe>.

Carson, Charles, and Laudan Nooshin. "Music and the Disney Theme Park Experience." Ethnomusicology Forum 13.2 (2004): 227. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

The University of Texas at Austin , . "Faculty and Staff ." . N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar 2014. <https://musethno.music.utexas.edu/faculty-and-staff/