Society for Ethnomusicology

Society for Ethnomusicology is a professional organization dedicated to the research and study of ethnomusicology, with a focus on the musicology of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions. Founded in 1955 by Willard Rhodes, Mantle Hood, and Charles Seeger, the organization has grown to include over 1,800 members from around the world, including anthropologists like Claude Lévi-Strauss and Bronisław Malinowski, as well as musicologists such as Theodore Baker and Otto Abraham. The organization is affiliated with other professional organizations, including the International Musicological Society and the American Anthropological Association. Members of the organization have also been involved with institutions such as the Library of Congress, the British Museum, and the Institut de Recherche et de Coordination Acoustique/Musique.

● History

The history of the organization dates back to the 1950s, when ethnomusicology was still a relatively new field of study. The organization's founders, including Willard Rhodes and Mantle Hood, were influenced by the work of earlier scholars such as Belá Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on the study of folk music and traditional music from around the world, with members such as Alan Lomax and John A. Lomax contributing to the development of the field. The organization has also been influenced by the work of scholars such as Claude Debussy and Igor Stravinsky, who were interested in the study of non-Western music. Other notable members have included John Blacking, Bruno Nettl, and Gerard Behague, who have all made significant contributions to the field of ethnomusicology.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of the organization is to promote the research and study of ethnomusicology, with a focus on the musicology of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions. The organization's objectives include the promotion of cultural diversity and the preservation of traditional music and folk music from around the world. Members of the organization are involved in a wide range of activities, including field research, archival research, and performance, and have worked with institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Ford Foundation. The organization is also committed to the development of music education programs, and has worked with organizations such as the National Association of Music Merchants and the Music Educators National Conference. Other organizations that have collaborated with the Society for Ethnomusicology include the International Council for Traditional Music and the Society for American Music.

● Membership_and_Participation

Membership in the organization is open to anyone with an interest in ethnomusicology, including students, scholars, and performers. Members of the organization come from a wide range of backgrounds, including anthropology, musicology, and sociology, and have worked with institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Chicago, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The organization offers a range of benefits to its members, including access to publications, conferences, and workshops, as well as opportunities for networking and collaboration. Members have also been involved with organizations such as the American Musicological Society, the Society for the Study of Popular Music, and the International Association for the Study of Popular Music. Other notable members have included Simha Arom, Philip Bohlman, and Martin Stokes, who have all made significant contributions to the field of ethnomusicology.

● Annual_Meetings_and_Conferences

The organization holds an annual meeting, which features paper presentations, performances, and workshops on a wide range of topics related to ethnomusicology. The meeting is attended by members from around the world, and provides opportunities for networking and collaboration. The organization has also sponsored conferences and symposia on topics such as music and culture, music and identity, and music and technology, and has worked with institutions such as the New York University, the University of Oxford, and the Australian National University. Other organizations that have co-sponsored events with the Society for Ethnomusicology include the International Society for the Study of European Ideas and the Society for Ethnology. Members have also presented at conferences such as the International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition and the Conference on Interdisciplinary Musicology.

● Publications_and_Resources

The organization publishes a range of publications, including the Ethnomusicology journal, which is one of the leading journals in the field of ethnomusicology. The organization also publishes a newsletter, which provides updates on the latest research and developments in the field, and has worked with publishers such as Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and Routledge. Members of the organization have access to a range of resources, including archives, libraries, and databases, and have worked with institutions such as the Library of Congress, the British Library, and the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Other notable publications include the Journal of Musicology, the Musical Quarterly, and the Journal of the American Musicological Society.

● Awards_and_Honors

The organization presents a range of awards and honors to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of ethnomusicology. These include the Jaap Kunst Prize, which is awarded annually to a scholar who has made a significant contribution to the field, and the Seeger Prize, which is awarded to a scholar who has made a significant contribution to the study of folk music and traditional music. The organization has also recognized the contributions of scholars such as John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Steve Reich, who have all been influential in the development of experimental music and avant-garde music. Other notable awards include the National Medal of Arts, the Pulitzer Prize, and the Grammy Award, which have all been awarded to members of the organization. Members have also been recognized by organizations such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences.