Although competitions in classical music have a long history, the number of contests has risen dramatically since the Second World War, all of them aiming to launch young artists' careers. This is not the symptom of marketization that it might appear to be. Despite the establishment of an international governing body, competitions are plagued by rumors of corruption, and even the most mathematically sophisticated voting system cannot quell accusations that the best talent is overlooked. Why do musicians take part? Why do audiences care so much about who wins? Performing Civility is the first book to address these questions. In this groundbreaking study, Lisa McCormick draws from firsthand observations of contests in Europe and the US, in-depth interviews with competitors, jurors and directors, as well as blog data from competition observers to argue that competitions have endured because they are not only about music, they are also about civility.

Review

"Offering a peek into the fascinating world of international classical music competitions, Lisa McCormick's Performing Civility highlights the sociological tension between combat and civility. A rich, masterful study of performing, judging, and listening. Bravo!"

Eviatar Zerubavel, Rutgers University

"Music competitions, as Lisa McCormick shows us in this very clever book, place music and civility in contradiction. This contradiction gets played out as judges, musicians and audiences are converted into publics engaged in debate over what should count as talent, beauty, and perfection. Performing Civility will be of interest to cultural sociologists, political scientists, musicians, and anyone who aspires to be a member of civil society, musically conceived."

Tia DeNora, Exeter University

Book Description

Lisa McCormick considers the history of classical music competitions and their role in society by examining their highlights and ongoing controversies. She explains why, despite a widespread belief that performances cannot be ranked, aspiring musicians still enter them, professionals still judge them and audiences still invest emotionally in the results.

Dr Lisa McCormick is a cultural sociologist who specialises in the sociology of music. During her residency at the Centre for Death & Society from 03 June to 20 August 2013, she will be working on a new project about music at contemporary funeral services.

McCormick‘s work in cultural sociology can be divided into two themes. The first, music and civility, includes her research on international classical music competitions, symphonic diplomacy, and the musical public in China. The second, music and death, includes her research on the dead composer cult in classical music, the expanding range of music played at contemporary funerals, and the role of sound technologies in the transformation of mourning. What unites these two strands is her interest in meaning and performance.