| NECSEM 2000 Chapter Report |
| Annual Meeting- Tufts University, March 4, 2000 |
| The annual meeting of the Northeast Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology
was hosted by Tufts University on March 4, 2000 with approximately forty
members in attendance. Scheduled activities included papers, the business
meeting, and two performance events.
After a welcome by Vice-President Tomie Hahn (Tufts) President Paul Austerlitz (Brown University) introduced the papers. The morning session was comprised of four papers: "Present-ing Tradition in an Appalachian Clogging Style" by Anne Elise Thomas (Brown University), "The Dudley Street Dance Halls, 1946-1965: A Crossroads of Irish Culture and Music" by Susan Gedutis (Tufts University), "Khmer Mahori in New England" by Sean Norton (Hampshire College), and "From the Negrito to the Negro Trágico: The Representation of Black Masculinity in the Cuban Zarzuela" by Susan Thomas (Brandeis University). In the afternoon session following the lunch break four more papers were presented. These included "Roses and Thorns in the Gardens of Shalimar: Rag Darbari Kanra" by George Ruckert (MIT), "Endere (reed flutes) of the Baganda of Uganda" by James Makubuya (MIT), and "Wayang Karetao: Maori Stories and Javanese Shadow Theater" by Jody Diamond (Dartmouth). The annual Business Meeting was held concurrently with the Student Concerns meeting following the conclusion of the papers. Regrets were sent from Treasurer Tony Rauche, who also conveyed that he would be stepping down from his office (after many years of dedicated service!). The Treasurer’s Report indicated that the Chapter is currently financially solvent. The 2000-2001 slate of officers was determined: Paul Austerlitz will continue as President, with assistance from Matthew Allen (Wheaton) during his sabbatical period; Jerry Cadden (Boston College) and Susan Asai (Northeastern) were elected Vice-President and Treasurer respectively; and Lisa Lawson Burke (Framingham State) was reelected as Secretary. A discussion about ways to raise awareness of NECSEM events and activities followed the election. Members of the Student Concerns group then joined the general membership and the two student representatives, Susan Morelli (Harvard) and Harriet Hurie (Wesleyan), were announced. Susan outlined the discussion of the Student Concerns meeting, which centered on ways to increase awareness of student issues and foster a better sense of community among students. Susan Thomas (Brandeis) was announced as the winner of the James T. Koetting Memorial Prize for her paper "From the Negrito to the Negro Trágico: The Representation of Black Masculinity in the Cuban Zarzuela." As the last item of business, Smith College was chosen as the location for NECSEM 2001. Members expressed appreciation to Tufts University and Vice-President Tomie Hahn for hosting this year’s conference. The final event of NECSEM 2000 was a two-part performance open to the
public featuring Abubakari Lunna (with David Locke) and the Boston Village
Gamelan directed by Barry Drummond with special guest Sumarsam, which
was enthusiastically attended by NECSEM members and others |