Ethnomusicology chair takes charge of music society
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 8, 2003 9:00 p.m.
Department of Ethnomusicology Chair Tim Rice began his two-year
term this past Saturday as the newly elected president of the
Society for Ethnomusicology. The SEM is a U.S.-based organization
with an international membership of over 2,000 from six continents
and a mission statement to promote the research, study and
performance of music in all historical periods and cultural
contexts.
“Normally, I suppose they choose scholars of distinction
who have also served the society in the past,” said Rice.
“I’ve been active in the society.”
Rice previously has served as editor of its journal
“Ethnomusicology” from 1981 to 1984 and as treasurer
for four years during the late 1980s. He also was a member of the
board of directors.
“Tim Rice has really been a leader here at UCLA,”
said Christopher Waterman, dean of the UCLA School of Arts and
Architecture and a colleague of Rice for nearly 20 years. “He
has made many contributions on a general theoretical level as
well,” Waterman added.
“As a scholar, Tim and his work have upheld the highest of
intellectual standards.”
This past week, UCLA Professor Helen Rees also became a member
of the board and began her term as first vice president of the
SEM.
“Holding these positions is an honor for our program and
the university,” added Rice.
Rice explained that the society functions by supporting research
in a given discipline through both national and regional annual
meetings as well as publishing a journal and newsletter.
One of Rice’s goals as the new president is to spread the
global reach of the SEM.
“Much of the research occurs in poor foreign
countries,” said Rice. “I want, in part, to improve
communication with the institutions in these countries and make
sure our publications are available in their universities and
libraries.”
Rice was able to draw parallels between his emphasis on
diversity during his time at UCLA and his new objectives.
“UCLA is a model for the discipline of the field in terms
of diversity,” he said. “We have an extremely diverse
faculty and undergraduate and graduate student body. It’s
inspiring to me and to the society.”
Rice was first exposed to foreign music in the 1960s through an
international folk dancing club at Yale University and became a
self-described “crazy, enthusiastic dancer as an
undergraduate.” He then discovered the field of
ethnomusicology only one month before graduating from Yale.
“It totally fit my passion for music and dance,” he
said.
Nearly 40 years later, it is clear that his passion has not
diminished. Aside from the duties of the two positions he currently
holds, Rice plans on continuing his research and writing a book
assessing the last 25 years of ethnomusicology. He even hopes to
author a textbook on the subject. Time seems to be the only thing
in his way.
“I have more ideas than I can possibly realize,” he
said.
