“In Toronto, Iranians and Israelis Make Music, Not War”

Abstract

Engaged musicking creates enjoyable, meaningful aesthetic experiences and strengthens citizen engagement in public policy. This case study of March 2015 Converging Paths concert in Toronto, organized by the Israeli-Iranian Musical Initiative, demonstrates how acting through this worldview included political communication as a key sphere of action. Applying Mannheim's Documentary Approach, three interpretations are presented: The Objective Interpretation details what occurred. Subjective Interpretation presents analyses of organizer-composer-musicians' explanations for why and how they constructed and communicated their alternative political narrative. Documentary Interpretation explains how organizers' initiatives, including political communication, are consonant with efforts by critical communicators, conflict transformation through social change, audiotopias.