ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by characterizing and contextualizing the differences, rooted as they are in the historical and cultural development of the respective disciplines of music and drama, and the impact of dominant historical values on the institutionalization of training. It draws on a conception of discourse where utterances, spoken and written, and social practices can contribute to its construction, confirmation and challenge. The chapter outlines some dominant discourses articulated by the themes of audience and text in the music and acting literature, and in current professional and pedagogical practices. It explores the benefits and challenges that a series of research studies carried out in the context of collaborative activities at the Guildhall School have revealed. The chapter argues that collaboration challenges all parties to negotiate artistic values and practices to enable a productive relationship, the type of collaborative work has the potential to provide a means to enhance their effectiveness as musicians, whether or not involving collaboration with actors.
