Last week, Anne Heminger delivered her Dissertation Oral Presentation at the Burton Tower between soundings of the carillon at quarter-hours. Her sizable audience, held in rapt attention, learned about shifting musical practices that attended the turbulent period of 1540–1560 England and how liturgical music both reflected and facilitated religious perspectives during this time (see abstract … Continue reading Anne’s Dissertation Oral Presentation
Last Friday, SMR members met for a forum on disability sponsored by SMR and the SMTD office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. SMR member Elizabeth McLain guided activities aimed at understanding challenges that people with disabilities face, presented anecdotes and information regarding terminology, and answered attendees’ questions (more details below). While SMTD has a long … Continue reading SMR Forum: Disability
Last weekend, SMR members were in San Antonio for the annual meeting of the American Musicological Society and the Society for Music Theory. A number of SMR members gave talks, including an entire panel composed of U-M scholars (see complete list below). Congratulations, all, and excellent work! In addition to papers, meetings, and professional development, … Continue reading UM’s SMR at AMS/SMT 2018
Enjoy learning about what SMR member William van Geest was up to this past summer while away researching and studying in Germany. This summer, I spent two months in Germany studying German and researching. For the latter, I completed a four-week course at the Goethe Institute in Berlin (see photo). My participation in this course … Continue reading William’s Research and Language-Study in Germany
Last week, ethnomusicologist Ho Chak Law successfully defended his dissertation, entitled "Cinematizing Chinese Opera, Performing Chinese Identities, 1945-1971" (abstract below), before a crowd of distinguished guests. Congratulations, Ho Chak! We're proud of you, but sorry to have you leave us! Abstract On stage and on film, Chinese opera persisted in being an important means of … Continue reading Dissertation Defense: Ho Chak Law (ethnomusicology)
Last week, SMR members met for their first General Assembly of the 2018-2019 school year. Members discussed plans for the upcoming school year, ranging from social events to workshops for professional development. Additionally, the Michigan Music Forum was renamed as the SMR Forum to better reflect the goals and activities of the organization. We're all looking forward to … Continue reading First 2018–19 General Assembly
by Lena Leson At some point in the spring/summer term as I prepared for candidacy exams, I realized that it was my body, not my brain, that was suffering the most after hours of studying each day. I made changes big and small to my work setup, and wanted to share the practical lessons I've learned … Continue reading Ergonomics for Academics
Last Saturday while many Wolverines were roaring at the Michigan Stadium, a number of SMR members were enjoying themselves in the peaceful backyard of Anne’s house. The weather couldn’t have been better, with the perfect combination of a cool breeze and warm sunshine. We enjoyed Anne’s wonderfully grilled chicken and hot dogs, alongside homemade salads, … Continue reading SMR Beginning-of-Year BBQ
Hello, all! Welcome back! We are excited to begin our tenure as co-chairs for SMR for the 2018–19 academic year. Following a successful 2017–18 academic year, which included events such as our second graduate student conference, “Music and Borders,” we are eager to offer professional development activities and deepen support for our organization within and … Continue reading Welcome back, SMR Members!
I am currently finishing up research funded by a Fulbright grant for the 2017–18 academic year. The research I conducted focuses on the composition and reception history of D.D. Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87. During my time in Moscow, I looked at over three-hundred pages of manuscripts for Op. 87 to analyze Shostakovich’s compositional … Continue reading Ryan McCulloch: Shostakovich Research in Moscow
