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[Please circulate to all interested parties]
Papers and Workshop Presentations are invited for the third biennial
LONDON FIDDLE CONFERENCE: "Bowed String Instruments in Traditional Cultures"
VENUE: School of Oriental and African Studies [SOAS], University of London
DATE: Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd February 2009
WEBSITE: www.geocities.com/FiddleConference2009
DESCRIPTION:
The LONDON FIDDLE CONFERENCE AT SOAS is a biennial event in a rolling
programme of research seminars and performance workshops. We cover all
aspects of bowed string instruments in popular culture worldwide.
DEFINITION: The violin has its origins in Central Asian bowed string
instruments that have moved around the world, developing in many different
ways. Because of the importance of the violin in European culture, it has
been re-exported and absorbed by other cultural traditions, often alongside
indigenous string instruments. We are interested in exploring fiddlesof all
types, and relationships and contrasts between instruments of the violin
type and indigenous bowed string instruments.
This is an open conference, open to the general public.
There will be a CONCERT AND CEILIDH SESSION on the night of Friday 20th
February featuring the combined forces of the Cambridge University Ceilidh
Band and the SOAS Ceilidh Band. The conference will begin on Friday
afternoon 20th February with a guided tour visit to the wonderful INSTRUMENT
COLLECTION at the Horniman Museum in South London.
Early arrivers may also be interested in Colin Dunne's show OUT OF TIME at
the Barbican on Thursday 19 February. This presents a dancer's view of the
world of Irish traditional dance.
Our research interests address the following broad themes:
- The violin beyond the Western orchestra: Papers are invited that explore
the use of fiddles in European and American folk traditions, in Middle
Eastern and Indian music ensembles, and in contemporary practice.
- Fiddles through the world: Papers are invited that explore the role of
bowed string instruments, their diversity, and their history. We include
discussion of two-string and three-string fiddles in the Middle East, East
and Southeast Asia, Islamic Africa and elsewhere.
- Diffusion and development: Papers are invited that explore the organology
of violins and fiddles, particularly in a cross-cultural context. We also
welcome presentations that look at historical diffusion and the
socio-cultural reasons why particular instrument versions have become
favoured in specific cultural traditions.
- Making instruments: Papers are invited that explore instrument
construction.
Makers are invited to discuss their own construction methods and
developments. We also welcome presentations that demonstrate the acoustic
properties of instruments.
The above list is not exclusive, and researchers are encouraged to present
papers that fall outside of these topic areas.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Full Rate £30 - Day Rate £12
Concessions £10 - Day Rate £5
If you cannot afford to pay, let us know and we shall see what can be
done.
[Note: There is no registration charge for people presenting papers and
workshops.]
PROPOSALS OF PAPERS
If you wish to register to attend the conference, or wish to present a
paper, please send contact details to the organiser at the address below.
Ed Emery
[Fiddle Conference]
Peterhouse,
Cambridge CB2 1RD
E-mail: ed.emery [@] thefreeuniversity.net
PLEASE NOTE: This weekend will also feature the Saturday Night Concert of
the not-to-be-missed LONDON FIDDLE CONVENTION, to be held at Cecil Sharp
House.
The London Fiddle Conference is an independent initiative organised with
the collaboration of the SOAS Department of Music.
WEBSITE OF THE 2009 CONFERENCE:
www.geocities.com/FiddleConference2009
WEBSITE OF THE 2006 CONFERENCE:
www.geocities.com/FiddleConference
[The 2009 Conference replaces the 2008 Conference, which was postponed for
technical reasons.]
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