Musical Identities in Australia and South Korea and New Identities Emerging through Social Media and Digital Technology

Abstract

The choice of these two countries may at first appear unexpected. However, Australia and South Korea, at this point in the 21st century, share some surprising similarities, together with close links in trade, educational and research collaboration, as well as personal connections through Korean in-migration to Australia and the choice of Australian schools for many Korean teenagers. Geographically and ethnically Australia and South Korea are distinctly different yet they share important similarities. Today, both are very similar demographically in that most people are aged under 54 (Australia, 73.8%, cited in Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013; South Korea, 77%, cited in Index-OMundi, 2013). Each has a similar educational provision from kindergarten to university fed by both public and private schools, although the OECD reports that a much higher proportion of young people currently attend university in Korea (72%) than in Australia (37%). Each country has special music schools for nurturing the musically talented, and each has strong university music departments which focus on western classical music performance. Significant numbers of internationally acclaimed musicians who perform in the world's opera houses and symphony halls are produced by each country, as well as popular musicians who are both special to their country and yet attain international status. Each country is ruled by a vibrant democratic government where free speech, freedom of association are enshrined in law.