A Brief Update

Positive Response

Overall, there has been a positive response to the 'Call for Participation' that was issued out internationally in the past three weeks (accessible here). The following bar chart shows the number of participants per continent or country who have expressed an interest in participating in the study so far:

Academics who have expressed an interest in participating in the study (via the link) have been emailed the 'Formal Invitation to Participate' which includes the 'Participant Information Leaflet' and 'Consent Form' which has been issued out since 08 March 2024 and continues to be emailed on a daily basis to all those who complete the Expressions of Interest form. The majority of those interested include chairs of music, full professors, professors in, associate professors, and assistant professors, and a minority of advanced students.

So far there has been a quick return on the Consent forms, with 27% of the total number of academics who completed the 'Expressions of Interest' form having completed and submitted the consent form.

Improvements

The study needs at least 250 participants, so the 'Call for Participation' is still open. The study needs more representation overall but particularly it needs to address the absence of academic representation from New Zealand and some European countries where academics have yet to sign up. 

So far, the following bar chart shows the expressions of interest from European countries.

Incentive to Participate

As part of an investigation into pedagogical practices, this study inherently looks at the current state of musicology (broadly defined) as a discipline. I have heard a lot about the different perspectives on the current status of musicology in the past few weeks from different musicologists. For some, there has been a despondent response to the closing down of music departments and leading questions about the future of musicology. I recall in the early 2000s the abundance of musicology and music departments, as an undergraduate and postgraduate student and it is unfortunate that some academics are undergoing these circumstances. 

I think this study, might help give a voice to musicologists and analysts about some of these concerns (in either a confidential or open way), as it presents an opportunity to defend the discipline of musicology (broadly defined) and music analysis by examining international perspectives on the current state of musicology, and pedagogical practice, the results of which may somewhat validate the discipline or develop new directions for the discipline in educational terms and in terms of pedagogical practices. However, the results of the study depend on the level of engagement and contribution to the survey and study overall. If you can participate, whether it is just doing the survey, or participating in certain aspects, I think it would be worth opening up a dialogue in this area.

Thanks to those who have signed up and completed the Consent forms.