Music, Indigeneity and the Right to Listen
A journey through three Listening Circles and The North American Indigenous Songbook
Wednesday 11 - Friday 13 November 2026
St Catherine’s College and the Faculty of Music, University of Oxford
Who has the right to make music and who has the right to listen? Histories of musical silencing remind us that musicking has always been subject to discipline and control. In this three-day event, we will produce, listen, and think through music and histories of Indigenous subjugation and survival in the Americas and beyond. Through circles of sharing, talking, and musicking, we will encounter sounds, stories, and ideas shared by pianist, conductor and composer Timothy Long and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman, and their work on The North American Indigenous Songbook.
The North American Indigenous Songbook was created by Timothy Long together with the Plimpton Foundation in 2024 to build a new library of repertoire written by Indigenous composers from North America. Each year, the foundation commissions North American Indigenous composers to write songs that are available for all to sing. The first round of esteemed composers included R. Carlos Nakai, Raven Chacon, Dawn Avery, Sage Bond, Charles Shadle, Timothy Archambault, Connor Chee, and Martha Redbone.
Events are open to students, staff and the public. See below for specific details and how to book.
First Encounter: Exploratory Workshop
Wednesday 11 November, 7–9:30pm
St Catherine’s College Music House
In this first Listening Circle, guest artists Marion Newman and Timothy Long will introduce The North American Indigenous Songbook and guide the group through an initial voyage of discovery into the history that connects us all. The event will include a participatory workshop on a composition by Raven Chacon. Chacon provides a texted, but open score, inviting performers to creatively flesh out the composition in dialogue with the material provided. Participants in the workshop will be invited to perform the work the following evening during the concert at the Holywell Music Room. Light refreshments will be provided.
Accessibility information: The organisers are committed to ensuring this is a fully accessible workshop. Please indicate if you have any accessibility needs on the workshop sign-up form.
Second Encounter: Concert and Community Listening Circle
Thursday 12 November, 7–9:30pm
Holywell Music Room
Pianist Timothy Long and vocalist Marion Newman present the UK premiere of works from The North American Indigenous Songbook in the historic Holywell Music Room, joined by student performers from the University of Oxford. More than a concert, Timothy Long will guide the audience through the historical and cultural significance of the compositions and the project as a whole. Following the concert, Marion Newman will convene a Listening Circle of audience members who wish to stay to discuss the concert and the themes that arise.
Tickets
£15 General Admission
£10 Concessions (65+, people with disabilities and companions)
Free Admission for Oxford University Faculty of Music and St Catherine’s College students and staff with the use of a promotion code. Please contact events@music.ox.ac.uk or cayenna.ponchione@stcatz.ox.ac.uk for more information.
Third Encounter: Research Listening Circle
Friday 13 November, 9:30am–5pm
Faculty of Music, University of Oxford
This Research Listening Circle reimagines the ‘study day’ into a non-hierarchical space where knowledge can be freely shared and considered. Led by professional Listening Circle convener, Marion Newman, the group will engage in a wide-ranging discussion focusing on the themes of disciplining musical listening / musical indigeneities / the right to listen.
The day will begin by dynamically revisiting Raven Chacon’s composition performed at Thursday evening’s concert through a hands-on workshop guided by Timothy Long and Marion Newman. In the second half of the day, all participants will take part in a Listening Circle. Rather than individual and formal presentations, participants are invited to share sounds, stories, and ideas from their own research that relate to the themes of the event and invite discussion—creating an environment that is informal, congenial, and a space for a different type of research sharing.
- This event is open to everyone, but postgraduate researchers are highly encouraged to take part.
- There is no fee to participate.
- There will not be formal presentations with slides, however researchers are free to bring objects and sounds they wish to share with the group.
In-person attendance is highly recommended, but online participation will also be possible for those who wish to participate but are unable to travel to Oxford for the event. Please contact Dr Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey at cayenna.ponchione@music.stcatz.ox.ac.uk to facilitate your online attendance.