Essay On How 1930s Music Affected Political Discourse

Carter Wright
Mrs. Roe
English
6 February, 2023
Final Draft
How 1930s Music Affected Political Discourse
Imagine, if you will, a time where you have no money but you still want to spread your political beliefs. In the 1930s, the answer to this predicament was to listen to music and to make music. That is why, in this position, many people in the 1930s decided to turn towards music in order to spread their belief. Popular music in the 1930s was a cheap and effective way to share political and cultural views to a large audience of listeners.
Because of their rhythm and improvisation, Swing and Big Band music became popular in the 1930s. According to Steve Pearson in “Music Styles Bands and Artists During the 1930s”, “Jazz music evolved into

The Federal Music Project was a big deal because “for the first time [...] the federal government played an active and enthusiastic role in sponsoring and funding the arts” (Melissa J. 1). This is important because never before in American history had the government stepped in to play a role in contributing to the culture or medium of music. The government intervention helped artists innovate and take more risks because they had a pillar of support even if people didn’t like their music. The government getting involved in culture means that the profession of artist is more stable and reliable than ever before. In the beginning, “the federally funded Music Project [...] was initiated [...] in order to get artists and musicians off the streets”(Melissa J. 1). The federally funded Music Project not only got artists off the streets but it supported them in their careers and helped them to make the best music

During the question and answer sessions discussions and debates could get extremely heated and it has been described as a place where “hot topics and public concerts simmered and roiled” (Mellisa J. 3). People would have discussions outside of the music and could have back and forth conversations on the underlying topics of the songs played. The conversations became a place of debate and discussion where people could argue their positions on the controversial topics of the day. The Forum was not only for listening to music but it “was a place in which lines were drawn, identities established, and positions assaulted and defended.” (Mellisa J. 3). As mentioned above, the New York Composers Forum was a place of debate and discussion where people could argue their positions and establish identities for themselves about the topics discussed during the 1930s. An important part of the Forum was the fact that the government actively supported and funded the Forum where people would have political discourse and