Ethnographic Research and the Study of Christian Music

ConferencesRoundtables
Written By Andrew Mall

Society for Christian Scholarship in Music

SCSM, Macon, Georgia, March 4, 2021.

Roundtable Abstract

The recent turn to ethnography in various disciplines has prompted renewed reflection on the basis of knowledge for scholars of religious music; how do we know what we know about the practices of devotees and worshippers? Is it enough to comprehend their writings or their practices? What about the demonstration of belief through actions and the cultural proficiencies required by scholars to comprehend them? As the burgeoning field of congregational music studies demonstrates, ethnomusicology can provide fruitful insights in the study of Christian music; but what considerations must be made in relation to the employment of this particular methodological toolkit? Join us for a rousing conversation on the role of ethnomusicology and both its contributions and limitations in the study of religious musicking.

Roundtable panelists:

  • Nathan Myrick

  • Joshua Busman

  • Maren Haynes Marchesini

  • Andrew Mall

  • Alison McLetchie

  • Marcell Silva Steuernagel

Andrew Mall
Previous

Gamelan Laras Tentrem Concert
Next

New Award for God Rock, Inc.