Music and Movement

Music and movement seem to go together naturally. From a very early age, we associate the two inherently. For example, for my entire life, my nickname has been Boogie, because when I was little, I'd dance to any beat I heard- even dripping faucets. The connection between music and movement is inseperable- we move constantly and we always have a beat with us. (If we didn't, that would be bad, considering it would mean we were dead.) Think about it- the easiest way to express emotions when conducting is the manner in which you move your body. Smooth motions that are flowing and gentle will provoke the orchestra to produce the same kinds of sounds. Musicians respond to movement in reflex to the manners of the movements.
Also, the two are internationally infamous. In every culture I can think of, movement and music play important roles. In our studies in the class so far, this is evident in Native American music-culture as well as in African music-culture, dance seems to be an integral part of their life, as does music. According to the Ewe, their ancestors love music and dance- therefore, they hold funerals that feature drumming, dancing, and singing. I was surprised, considering how solemn, still, and formal most Euro-American funerals are.
The music and dancing that is standard in Ewe culture is learned by enculturation- however, the Agbekor is only learned through formal training. In classical European dancing and music, formal training is a must and is very rigorous. I didn't expect to encounter an indigenous tradition that required formal training.