Next Meeting / Call for papers

ICTM Study Group Folk Musical Instruments2 April, 2010

Dear members of the ICTM Study Group on Folk Musical Instruments, dear friends, finally, springtime returned – for some of us the end of a nightmare – and so do we return to our usual habits. Nearly exactly one year before, we have seen each other in Erkner accomplishing our 17th meeting. As I heard from many participants, it was a successful taking up of discussions which were the result of research carried out by all members in different and often inspiring ways. The proceedings of the meeting led to a re-start of the Studia Instrumentorum Musicae Popularis, which I could yet edit in the same year with the help of many colleagues and great support of the publishing house.

However, I have to thank you all for your confidence. Without your efforts and your steady dedication to the outcomes of this almost “traditional” Study Group of the ICTM, my contribution would not have been realised. Thus, I hope that our sense for cooperation will grow further and that we become a strong Study Group working effectively in the field of research and distribution of knowledge about one of the tangible aspects of the world’s intangible heritage.

After your decision, to let me undertake the function of the new chair, I started to work on our next meeting together with the local organiser represented by Irena Miholic. Thanks to her and our joint discussion we are now able to inform you that the next Study Group meeting will be held in Croatia in 2011 (near Zagreb), probably from 13 – 16 April. A detailed official call for papers will follow soon via ICTM website.

Local organiser is:
Irena Miholic
irena@ief.hr
Dr. sc. Irena Miholić
Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku
Šubićeva 42
HR - 10000 Zagreb
CROATIA
tel: + 385 (0)1 45 96 700
fax: + 385 (0)1 45 96 709
Privat: + 385 (0)91 25 14 296

Members of the programme committee are:
Rinko Fujita
rinko.fujita@gmail.com
Dr.phil. Rinko Fujita
Nußwaldgasse 18
A-1190 Wien
AUSTRIA
tel/fax: +43 1/879 6365

Gisa Jaehnichen
gisjaehnichen@web.de
Prof. Dr. Gisa Jaehnichen
Music Department – Faculty of Human Ecology
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor
MALAYSIA
Tel +603-8946-7127

Rembrandt Wolpert
wolpert@uark.edu
Prof. Dr. Rembrandt Wolpert
Department of History
J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
Old Main
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
USA

Proposed topics are:
1) Instrumental Melodies and Voice Construction
Musicians play melodies on their instruments, which are distinct from song melodies, although they are often related to them. Besides supporting sung melodies or imitating songs and human voice, they can be used in various contexts as construction tools for unique local, ethnic, social and/or gender identities and sound settings through their special features. Thus instrumental melodies are under this aspect constructed voices, which can rarely be replaced without destroying a certain cultural meaning.

Papers focusing on this topic can include all types of musical instruments, especially chordophones and aerophones, which are producing melodies in culturally different appearances. The topic emphasises melody and voice as two categories that were once basic parts of ethnomusicological research, and which were later on often questioned through a critical review of methodologies. This modified approach from the perspective of musical instruments should open a new discussion and a way to improve research outcomes using advanced analytical technology and modern insights into cultural studies.

2) “Rural” musical instruments in the 21st century
This topic covers a wide range of studies on musical instruments that are labelled as “rural” in their current social, ethnic, and technological setting. Furthermore, papers should be especially dedicated to local studies of the region, where the meeting takes place (Croatia, Balkan, Mediterranean cultures).

3) New research
Currently running projects, new findings of research carried out individually and first outcomes of studies in ‘virgin’ fields can be presented here.

Please, consider that we hope to publish all proposed papers for their uniqueness and their quality. Therefore, we kindly advise you to submit only proposals of papers, which were not yet published.

Formats of presentation:

• Individual papers of 20 Minutes in length followed by 10 Minutes discussion
• Workshops, especially for the second topic are warmly welcome. Emphasising practical demonstration or exercises, they should be of 50 Minutes in length, followed by 10 Minutes additional questions and answers.
• Film sessions, which include an introduction and discussion after presentation.The duration can vary according to the length of the film (which should not exceed 60 Minutes).

Herewith we call for papers and further submissions, of which an abstract should be sent via email to the members of the programme committee. If you wish to add another urgent topic, let us know. Please, indicate which kind of technical support you may need.

The definite deadline for submissions will be the 30th of September 2010. Early submissions are highly appreciated.

You will get your confirmation until 1st of November, thus you will have enough time to organise your trip and eventually some funding. Probably, the approximate costs for the conference won’t be higher than they were in Erkner. Please, do not hesitate in case of any questions or suggestions to contact the local organiser or any member of the programme committee.

Now, I wish you all Happy Easter and many inspiring ideas,
Warmest regards,
Gisa Jaehnichen