From Shadows to Actors in the Field: Applied Research in Ethnomusicology

4/28  4:00 ~ 6:00 p.m.

Presenters: Mayco Santaella

Area of study: Music and Identity

Abstract: Fieldwork is a landmark activity for ethnomusicologists. Overtime, a number of projects and career directions develop from performances in the field, recordings, and relationships with the community. The production of education material, community projects, and cultural activism by ethnomusicologists has grown with applied ethnomusicology, positing social responsibility as an inherent nature of the discipline. In view of “new epistemological scenarios emerging out of post-colonial situations” (Araujo, 2008), this presentation looks at applied research as an alternative fieldwork methodology that observes recent theoretical models and approaches in ethnomusicology. The discussion considers three case studies as cultural spaces with distinct contexts from Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Mayco A. Santaella is Associate Professor at the Department of Film and Performing Arts at Sunway University, which he currenty heads. The focus of Santaella’s studies is the gong-row tradition of Central and North Sulawesi as part of the gong culture of the extended Nusantara region. He conducted research for his doctoral studies in the region of Central Sulawesi as the recipient of a Fulbright research grant. He was formerly the Managing Editor of the MMJ Journal and Lecturer at Sultan Idris Education University.

To facilitate the smooth running of the event, participants are requested to enter the virtual meeting room(s) 10 minutes earlier, with the permission from the organizer. During the waiting period, please confirm your microphone and video camera are turned off.