Below are the minutes of our meeting on 28 November. Despite some effort, I haven't been able to attach this as a file - I hope it reads ok when received. Thanks to all for an excellent year, and best wishes for the end of year and holiday season.
TASA Sociology of Music thematic group meeting
28 November 2024, 2.30pm AEST, online and in-person at Curtin University
Minutes by Ben Green
Attendance: Ben Green (chair), Andy Bennett, Penelope Bergen, Kate Pattison, Sam Whiting, Ash Barnes, Christie Bosworth, Brigitta Scarfe, Devpriya Chakravarty
Apologies: Catherine Strong
1. Update on Thematic Group
Ben Green reported the group has 23 members at the completion of its first full year. In 2025, the two-year ‘renewal’ of TASA thematic groups is due, at conference time – this TG should be renewed given the number of members.
2. TASA 2024
Sam reported that the conference included a SoM panel with five speakers in a 90 minute session. Christie observed it was a good session with intersecting themes.
Sam offered feedback for TASA: too many parallel sessions, seven at a time. This means a small turnout in rooms (Devpriya noted it is a big campus with spread out rooms). Tomorrow is a half-day, with a bit of wasted time, which could have been used for sessions. Three or four keynotes also seems too many. Ash noted the clash of TG meetings creates difficulties for members who are interested in more than one, which is most/all of us.
Actions:
· Sam Whiting to provide feedback to TASA Executive on the conference programming
· Sam to circulate the list of SoM panel presentations, and slides. Ben to list these on the TG webpage.
3. Report on MusicLIVES Symposium
Ben spoke about the TG’s first event, held in June. A report is available on the TASA Sociology of Music blog https://www.tasa.org.au/content.aspx?page_id=2507&club_id=671860&item_id=4882
Outcomes from the event include increased connections between TG members and industry stakeholders. Catherine Strong has proposed to organise a similar event in Melbourne in 2025.
Question about Journal of Sociology special issue, which had been a suggested action from the symposium.
Action: Andy Bennett to enquire with JoS editors about special issue proposal timing.
4. Research Exchange event 2025
Ben reported that Kirsty Rivers, new head of the Victorian Music Development Office, is planning an event tentatively called ‘Research Exchange’ in Melbourne, first half of next year (Sam says March/April), to involve researchers sharing/’unpacking’ their research for a music industry audience. Kirsty has been speaking with Catherine Strong about this. Ben suggested a TG academic event could be scheduled to coincide with this, and we could look into TG funding for bursaries again.
Andy said it would be good to have the academic side as well as the industry-facing event and there was general agreement.
Action: Ben Green to investigate TG funding availability/timing
5. Other news from 2024
Penelope reported that her research team’s project on substance use in orchestras now has ethics approval. It will be discussed at the Music and Mediation conference in Adelaide. Research and discourse about the production of music is often positive, but this project includes attention to a harmful side.
6. Upcoming events
Music and Mediation conference in Adelaide, at Elder Conservatorium. Penelope and Sam spoke about this. Submissions are open until 16 December.
Action: Sam Whiting will circulate the CFP
ISA in Morocco 2025: call is closed. Penelope has submitted.
IASPM Paris: Sam has submitted.
IASPM-ANZ 2024 will be held in Wellington next week (December), some TG members will attend.
KISMIF Conference will be held in 2026. Andy Bennett will keep the group apprised.
It was agreed that the TG convenors will start circulating CFPs to the group. Sam proposed a newsletter every two months. Members can send items to the convenors for inclusion.
Action: Catherine Strong has offered to circulate a TG newsletter in the new year. Members please share items for inclusion.
7. TG presence and activities
a. WEBPAGE
Ben invited members to share any items for the TG webpage, including recent publications, media, news.
b. SOCIAL MEDIA
Ben asked about interest in social media presence. Bluesky was discussed as a new space for academic networking, like Twitter was a few years ago. Ben invited members to send him their social media handles/links, for listing on TG webpage, and if there’s enough presence on Bluesky, Ben will create a ‘starter pack’ for Sociology of Music.
c. SEMINARS
Andy proposed a TG online seminar series, separate to the TASA lunch series, e.g. once every two months. The group discussed interest in guest speakers (e.g. international), and HDRs sharing their work. There could be potential to partner with other TGs, a seminar could feature one speaker from each group (eg on music and migration).
d. TASA MENTORING PROGRAM
Sam was a mentor this year and recommends the program.