Formal Theory in Ethnomusicology
30 October 2025, 3pm GMT
The SMA’s Formal Theory Study Group is pleased to announce the online panel “Formal Theory in Ethnomusicology”, taking place on Thursday October 30, 3pm GMT. Whereas discourse about musical form is most typically associated with Western art music from the common practice period (i.e. the “new Formenlehre”), this intercultural panel considers the relevance of formal theory in more diverse musical repertoires. Examining intersections between formal approaches for analysing Western art music and global musical traditions, the panel will involve four case studies from Turkey, Ukraine, Lithuania, and India presented by:
Michael Ellison (University of Bristol)
Iryna Klymenko (National Ukrainian Academy of Music)
Rytis Ambrazevičius (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Pete Yelding (Bath Spa University)
Each presenter will consider methodological issues surrounding theoretical frameworks and present novel analyses of traditional vocal and instrumental music, followed by broader disciplinary discussion between the panel members. By combining theoretical and analytical discourse about traditional musical repertoire from Turkey, Ukraine, Lithuania, and India, this panel will explore cross-cultural issues surrounding temporal organisation and formal theory, thereby stimulating further discussion about the discipline’s cross-cultural boundaries.
https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/82736522757?pwd=u5wBHSGzsEYV2RCcrr3Ysg6dUuHV8E.1
Meeting ID: 827 3652 2757
Password: FTSG