The SMI aims to cultivate an inclusive culture of inquiry, collegiality and collaboration for members in all fields of musicology. There are many ways to be involved with the society, all of which offer the opportunity to enrich the academic discourse and make a contribution to the wider SMI community.
The annual plenary conference provides a platform for sharing research with other academics. Delegates attend from across the globe, and connections are made and strengthened from year to year. In addition, the SMI supports a range of other activities and scholarly events, and welcomes collaborations with other societies and institutions. Examples of joint events include the ICTM-IE/SMI Postgraduate Plenary, and the Public Musicology International Symposium jointly organised by the SMI and the Society for Music Analysis.
Submissions to the peer-reviewed Journal of the Society for Musicology in Ireland are invited from those in Ireland and internationally. This online journal can be read worldwide, and the open-access nature of the publication means that there are no barriers for researchers without institutional affiliation. This inclusivity extends to the contents of the journal, which encourages articles addressing all facets of musicology, in the broadest and most interdisciplinary terms.
In previous years, the SMI has supported reading groups and study days organised by members of the society, such as the Critical Text Study Group, the LGBTQ+ Music Study Group, and the Jazz Studies Reading Group. Maynooth University will host a Schubert Study Day in April 2020. The SMI welcomes suggestions for future events, and emails should be directed to the Honorary Secretary.
Members of the SMI interested in joining the SMI Council are eligible to present themselves for election, and are warmly encouraged to do so. The council — comprising a president, a secretary, a treasurer, a membership secretary and eight other members (to include an elected student representative) — is elected every three years by the members of the SMI. Serving on the council allows individuals to be directly involved with the running of the society, and to help shape its future direction.
Student involvement
For students and early career researchers, being a member of a supportive society can be invaluable. The SMI Student Representative role provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the society, and to ensure that students’ views are brought to the attention of the council. The Student Steering Committee, comprised of student members from institutions across Ireland, presents further scope for involvement. Student members are invited to direct comments, questions and suggestions to the Student Representative at studentrep@musicologyireland.com.
There is further scope for involvement at both the annual plenary, addressed above, and the postgraduate plenary, which is specifically aimed at those undertaking postgraduate study. This event is designed to foster a supportive environment where participants may share their findings and receive feedback from others. The careers forum also takes place at the postgraduate plenary, enabling students to benefit from the advice of those within academia and beyond.
Students are also core members of the conference committees for both SMI plenary conferences, which provides invaluable hands-on experience for those studying at the host institutions. Like the annual plenary, the postgraduate conference is hosted by a different institution each year, giving students across Ireland the chance to contribute to these events in diverse environments.
The wider community
In addition to developing connections with other learned societies, the SMI is always looking to cultivate links with the community more broadly. Ireland’s National Heritage Week and Culture Night are prime occasions for collaboration. Pre-concert talks, seminars and workshops are but three examples of potential partnerships that could be formed between the SMI and other networks.
The society works with other organisations such as the Contemporary Music Centre, The National Concert Hall and the Trinity Long Room Hub. The successful Boydell100: Brian Boydell Centenary Conference included a concert, two art exhibitions, and a documentary. The event brought together five academic institutions and two arts organisations, in conjunction with the SMI. Partnerships such as these prove fruitful for all involved, and those looking to collaborate with the SMI should direct inquiries to the Honorary Secretary.
The society’s YouTube channel offers video uploads of selected papers and presentations from events in order to extend reach to a wider audience. Furthermore, the SMI maintains an active presence on both Twitter and Facebook to help keep people informed about the society’s activities.
As this page demonstrates, there is much to be gained through involvement with the Society for Musicology in Ireland, and we urge those wishing to establish a connection to be in touch.