The amateur competition movement: shaping identity through participation in the Manx music festival 1892-2005

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to consider the thesis that the amateur competitive music festival is a contributor to the formation and maintenance of ideas and ideals of identity. The research begins by considering the advent, growth and spread of the amateur competition festival and how these festivals shaped the musical identity of the British Isles and the personal identity of those participating In the festivals. The dissertation then focuses upon the Isle of Man as the locus of the research considering how identity formation is a complex process shaped both by history "and the personal need to shape and form identity on a number of levels and suggest examples of how cultural identity can be expressed in differing ways. By considering identity formation found in and through the Manx Music Festival both historically and in the contemporary festival society, the research draws upon both primary and secondary source materials including historical documentation, on-site participant/observation, interviews, questionnaires and case studies. The results found have been formulated to present an ethnographic account of Identity formation and maintenance found in, around and through participation in the Manx Music Festival. Finally the research considers the experience of the researcher as an important part of the research process. The dissertation concludes by discussing the outcomes of the research and suggests how the research can be expanded and progressed in the future.