In June 2019 I began researching full-time for a PhD at Western Sydney University. A couple of years later, with various other projects coming in, it became clear I would have revert to part-time. Thus it was that seven years later, 65,000 words and 97 pages of music score recorded as a 33 minute non-religious musical funeral rite, seems to have convinced the examiners that I am worthy of a PhD.
The thesis is titled
Passing Notes:
Using Ritual Theory and Dramaturgy to Understand and Develop the Narrative of the Requiem as a 21st Century, Nonreligious, Musical Funeral Rite.
This thesis attempts to answer two basic questions: first, within the context of unbelief, where there is no afterlife in the spiritual-religious sense, can there be a funeral rite that fulfils the requiem’s purpose of bringing an understanding of death and comfort to the grieving? The second question relates to a far more practical outcome and asks how does one compose music and text for such a funeral ritual? The writing and composing of this ritual are the final act of this project.
The finished ritual is called “The Book” and you can listen to the recording and follow the sung and spoken text, as well as the ‘actions’ in the attached ‘script’.
It is possible that some, if not all, of the thesis might be adapted for future publication, as a paper, or series of papers, or as an academic book (costing a fortune and read by no one), I will let you know if any of these possibilities come to fruition.
I wouldn’t wish to presume that anybody might want to read the thesis, but for those who might be interested in the overall subject matter, my core argument and the structure of my approach, I have attached a copy of the abstract—a page summarizing the work. Finally, there is an army of people to thank for their practical and emotional help and encouragement, crucial in getting me over the line. So, by way of extending my appreciation, I have also attached here my page of Acknowledgements.
