Recognizing music as a vital social and cultural force, each volume of this set of book on geographical areas of world music focuses on a single region and examines the role of music in the lives, arts and culture of its people. This volume describes the essential fabric of Australia and the Pacific Islands and then explores the traditions, performance practices, and themes that bind the music together into a dynamic tapestry of art and daily life. The coverage provides an overview of the region, reviews its music heritage and scholarship, and describes specific musical cultures, genres, and...