The Devils Of Loudun Band

Alternative Rock

Demons! The Possession and Exorcism of the Nuns of Loudun, and the Execution of Urbain Grandier

The Devil's (1971) Ken Russell's harsh, horrifying film of the possession and exorcism of a group of medieval French nuns, and the death by burning of Father Urbain Grandier in 1632, scorched the eyes and disturbed the souls of viewers of the early Seventies. Now, here is a full account of the hideous happenings, the demonic doings, that saw a group of holy sisters become cursing, spitting, vile creatures, and accused priest Grandier, said to be in league with the Devil, go to an unimaginable death at the stake. Here then is a story of good, evil, torture, betrayal, madness and consequences too hideous to contemplate. This tale of a medieval exorcism and fiery execution will open your eyes to the history many think too nightmarish to have happened, yet did.

Community Music at the Boundaries

Music lives where people live. Historically, music study has centred on the conservatory, which privileges the study of the Western European canon and Western European practice . The Eurocentric way music has been studied has excluded communities that are considered to be marginalized in one or more ways despite that the majority of human experiences with music is found outside of that realm. Community music has emerged as a counter-narrative to the hegemonic music canon: it seeks to increase the participation of those living on the boundaries. Community Music at the Boundaries explores music and music-making on those edges. “The real power of community music,” writes Roger Mantie in the foreword, “lies not in the fiction of trying to eliminate boundaries (or pretending they don’t exist), but in embracing the challenge of ’walking‘ them.” Contributions from scholars and researchers, music practitioners, and administrators examine the intersection of music and communities in a variety of music-making forms: ensembles, university and police choirs, bands, prison performing groups, youth music groups, instrument classes, symphonies, drum circles, and musical direction and performance. Some of the topics explored in the volume include education and change, music and Indigenous communities, health and wellness, music by incarcerated persons, and cultural identity. By shining a light on boundaries, this volume provides a wealth of international perspectives and knowledge about the ways that music enhances lives.