Human Development and Productive Inclusion in Popular Music: The Wind Bands Case in Sucre, Colombia

This article analizes the experience of cultural work of popular artists in the Colombian Caribbean Region by reviewing the circumstances of traditional wind bands in the department of Sucre. The Capability Approach is used to identify and analyze three types of artistic groups: school bands, amateurs and professional musicians. The research methodology is based on a mixed approach (including an ad hoc survey) so that the working and artistic activities can be described as well as the productive inclusion barriers identified. The results show noticeable gaps in basic capacities and other aspects related to the artistic job along with the artists economic integration. Notwithstanding the hindrances to productive inclusion, these cultural workers belong to a particular group who preserves the remembrance and musical tradition of this department. This paper makes contribution to the academic literature by offering a research methodology replicable to other contexts and popular culture expressions, helping the identification of critical aspects with a view to design public policies on the intangible heritage in music.