At the September 16th Tap Talks, we’ll celebrate Kent State University’s long-standing ethnomusicology program with guest speakers Drs. Terry E. Miller and Andrew Shahriari.
Terry, now an emeritus professor, was instrumental in establishing the world music ensembles and ethnomusicology graduate degrees at Kent State, which were central to the School of Music’s identity for nearly 50 years. Andrew is currently a Kent State professor of ethnomusicology. Together, they wrote the leading introductory textbook on world music, World Music: A Global Journey, now in its fifth edition.
An internationally recognized ethnomusicology program, Kent State boasts the country’s longest running Thai music ensemble in an academic setting, first established in 1977. Other KSU ensembles have focused primarily on Chinese and African music. The program’s world music concerts continue to present an array of traditions featuring music from all corners of the globe thanks to the many international students that have been a part of the program’s history.
At the peak of the program in the late 1990s, the world music ensembles toured regularly throughout the Midwest and internationally, most notably an extended student ensemble tour of Thailand. This notoriety established Kent State as the epicenter of Thai music studies in the United States. Terry and Andrew will share highlights of these global adventures that have helped boost the reputation of the university and bring global attention to Kent, Ohio.
According to a 2001 graduate of Kent State, “I took the Music as a World Phenomenon course as an elective and found that it changed my life. As a Kent State student, I played in the African and Thai ensembles, which helped me feel a strong sense of community. I made lifelong friends and have been inspired to travel the globe as a result. Music has been a springboard to so many of my greatest memories and life experiences. I have Kent State to thank for that and feel Kent will always be home to me.”
Terry & Andrew will talk about the field of ethnomusicology and its connection with Kent State University over the years. Several music examples reflective of their experiences will make this a vibrant and participatory event. Spontaneous dancing and singing will be welcome.
Tap Talks was initiated by Don Schjeldahl, the creator of North Water Brewing, as a way to bring the community together for conversation about life in Kent, Kent’s history, and issues of the day that impact us all. It’s also a chance to enjoy an array of locally-brewed artisan ales and beers. Tap Talks are sponsored by Kent Historical Society and scheduled monthly at 7 pm at North Water Brewing, 101 Crain Avenue in Kent.
You may also like the following events from North Water Brewing:
Also check out other
Concerts in Kent,
Workshops in Kent,
Music events in Kent.
|
