This is a past event
The annual conference for the BFE.
Download the programme.
Keynote speaker
Jeff Todd TitonDepartment of Music, Brown University Providence, Rhode Island
General Information
The Elphinstone Institute and the Music Research Group at the University of Aberdeen are pleased to welcome the 2004 Annual Conference of the British Forum for Ethnomusicology, taking place from Thursday 15 April (afternoon start) to Sunday 18 April (finishing early afternoon).
Evening events will include a performance of traditional Scottish ballads and music, a ceilidh dance, and the traditional BFE party. There will also be time to explore Deeside with an excursion to nearby castles and glens.
We hope that as many members and other interested colleagues as possible will join us for what promises to be an inspiring, stimulating and sociable gathering.
Theme 1: 'Ethnomusicology at Home'
As in social anthropology and other ethnographically-based disciplines, the researcher in ethnomusicology is increasingly turning towards the 'home' context as a relevant base for fieldwork. This approach merits close examination and discussion.
Papers will address such issues as:
- What ideological or political considerations are implicit in the turn to 'home'?
- What are the methodological implications of researching 'at home'?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the approach?
- What are the implications of working 'at home' for fieldwork style?
- How does status as insider or outsider affect the role of the ethnomusicologist?
- Is a reflexive stance more or less relevant when 'at home'?
- In the case of a 'native' fieldworker is s/he blinkered or more capable of significant insights? In developed, modern, multi-cultural societies, where is 'home'?
Theme 2: 'Transformed States'
In many different cultures and contexts the music people make is dependent for its inspiration on a transformed state of mind. This may be induced by administering substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, or narcotics. Alternatively the transformed state may come from 'within', through emotions or feelings, such as joy, love, grief, fear, or from religious devotion or spiritual experience. Similarly body movements, especially dance or rhythmic percussion, may be the source.
Submissions will address such issues as:
- What is the nature of the relationship between the transformed state, its stimulus, and the music?
- How does the transformed state affect musical creativity and/or meaning?
- How does music contribute to the process of altering states of mind?
- What part does social and cultural context play in shaping the transformed state / music making?
Papers
Papers on the conference themes will last for no more than 20 minutes and there will be up to 10 minutes allowed for questions and discussion.
Panels
Pre-formed panels will also be included.
Research in Progress
There will be a small number of student papers of 10 minutes, based on ongoing study.
- Speaker
- Jeff Todd Titon
- Hosted by
- Elphinstone Institute
- Venue
- New King's, University of Aberdeen