Research Network (2022-2025):

Artistic Music Research

Potentials and Perspectives for Artistic and Scientific Music Research in the German-speaking World

A positive approval of an application I submitted to the German Research Foundation (DFG) makes it possible to establish a network of experts from 2022-2025 and to advance the topic.

The overarching goal of the network is to discuss the conditions and development horizons for Artistic Music Research as a research discipline within the German-speaking research landscape and to shape them in a solution-oriented manner. The network therefore deals in particular with the following aspects:

1. Knowledge and research concepts of artistic music research

A fundamental challenge of artistic music research consists in the specific definition and concrete methodological-practical implementation of an understanding of knowledge and research in the field of tension between quality criteria of scientific music research and the autonomy of artistic processes. This includes questions about the applicability of conventional or the formulation of genuine quality criteria and standards, about the appropriateness of previous and the development of new research methods and strategies, as well as about forms of communicating research results and findings. The clarification of these questions is to be implemented within the framework of the network with the development of an application-oriented Open Access publication and the maintenance of an accessible website.

2. Potentials for scientific music research

The synergy effects and interrelationships of artistic music research with theory formation and research practice in the disciplines of scientific music research have so far been little reflected upon. Yet a potential for the latter that should not be underestimated can be assumed, which can include both the testing and validation of established scientific theories and approaches as well as the further development and innovation of the pool of theories and methods. These potentials of a knowledge transfer from artistic to scientific music research as well as a critical and power-sensitive reflection on role distributions and competences as well as perspectives of collaborative and dialogical research are to be discussed within the framework of the network.

3. Development horizons and challenges for artistic music research and for music education at colleges and universities

Another aim of the network is to discuss perspectives for a successful and sustainable integration of artistic music research into the research landscape and higher education in German-speaking countries. In addition to the aspects mentioned under a., the consolidation of artistic music research in German-speaking countries through quality-assuring and discourse-promoting instances (professorships and staff positions, peer-review publication bodies, PhD programmes, conferences, funding programmes, etc.), interdisciplinary cooperation and reference to all historical and contemporary musical practices (European art music, popular music, jazz, electroacoustic music, world music, noise, etc.) can be regarded as criteria for success. With the aim of elaborating a recommendation for action, corresponding development horizons and challenges of artistic music research will be discussed

Members

Prof. Dr. Michael Ahlers, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Kunst, Musik und ihre Vermittlung

Prof. Dr. Jean Beers, Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien

Prof. Dr. Evelyn Buyken, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, Institut für Musikwissenschaft, Juniorprofessur für künstlerische Forschung (Vertretung)

Dr. Jan Herbst, University of Huddersfield/UK, Department of Music and Drama, Senior Lecturer

Dr. Michael Kahr, Gustav Mahler Privatuniversität für Musik Klagenfurt / Kunstuniversität Graz, Senior Scientist, Institutsleitung Jazz/Pop

Prof. Dr. Jin Hyun Kim, Humboldt Universität, Institut für Musikwissenschaft und Medienwissenschaft

Dr. Wei-Ya Lin, mdw Wien, Artistic Research Center

Prof. Dr. Barbara Lüneburg, Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität Linz

Prof. Dr. Nina Noeske, Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, Institut für Musikwissenschaft

Prof. Dr. Martin Pfleiderer, Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar, Institut für Musikwissenschaft

Dr. Samuel Penderbayne, Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, Institut für Komposition

Dr. Wolf-Georg Zaddach (Leitung), Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Kunst, Musik und ihre Vermittlung; BIMM Berlin, Studiengangsleitung MA-Programm „Popular Music Practice“

Publications by the network members can be found here.