Beyond Jerusalem

Music in the Women's Institute has become stereotyped by the ritualistic singing of Jerusalem at monthly meetings. Indeed, Jerusalem has had an important role within the organization, and provides a valuable means within which to assess the organization's relationship with women's suffrage and the importance of rurality in the Women's Institute's identity. However, this book looks beyond Jerusalem by examining the full range of music making within the organization and locates its significance within a wider historical-cultural context.

Lorna Gibson is Manager of the National Medical Laser Centre at University College London, UK.

Contents: Introduction; Music policy and its implementation in the Women's Institute; Education, empowerment and The Acceptable Face of Feminism; The changing roles of folk song and part song in the Women's Institute; Folk Songs of the 4 Seasons and the first national singing festival; The Brilliant and the Dark and the 2nd music festival; Afterburn: the National Society Choir, 1969-1975; Conclusion; Bibliography; Appendices; Index.