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International Society for Music Education (ISME) records

 Collection 0004-SCPA-ISME

The International Society for Music Education was established in 1953 and aims to form a worldwide consortium of music educators from around the globe. ISME promotes the ability of music to enhance education worldwide, the skilled training of music educators, as well as an interconnected community of music educators and professionals globally. The International Society for Music Education records span the years from 1903-2023 with the bulk of the materials falling between 1965 and 1995. In addition to the official records such as correspondence, financial/membership records, and planning papers for meetings, conferences, seminars, and projects, the records include brochures, programs, publications, photographs, and research reports.

Dates

  • Creation: 1903-2023
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1965-1995

Use and Access to Collection

The collection is open for research use.

Duplication and Copyright Information

Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact

Extent

41.0 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Content of Collection

The International Society for Music Education records spans the years from 1903-2023 with the bulk of the materials falling between 1965 and 1995. In addition to the official records such as correspondence, financial/membership records, and planning papers for meetings, conferences, seminars, and projects, the records include brochures, programs, publications, photographs, and research reports.

Administrative History

The International Society for Music Education (ISME) was established by the International Music Council of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1953. The original goal for ISME was to encourage music education as an integral part of general education and community life throughout the world, and as a profession within the broad field of music. The first conference was held in Lindau, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland in 1955 to transact the business of the organization and to share findings based upon research and experience in music education. Subsequent conferences were held in 1958, 1961, 1963, and biennially since 1964. Ideas are shared through workshops, demonstrations, lectures, concerts, exhibitions and social events.

The Board of Directors consists of the President, Past President, President-Elect, Secretary General, Treasurer, and several additional members. Prior to 1986, three Vice-Presidents, rather than Past-President and President-Elect, were elected.

The Development, Publications, and Research Commissions were established in 1968, after which a number of commissions were created to cover areas of interest to ISME. ISME's Publications Commission oversees the publishing of the International Journal of Music Education (formerly the International Music Educator and Yearbook) and scholarly and professional materials. Since 1968, the Research Commission has sponsored numerous Research Seminars.

Other International Seminars, based upon specific topics and organized by a particular commission, have been held periodically. In 1982, commissions began to schedule seminars preceding the biennial conference in geographically convenient locations. Miscellaneous seminars are occasionally planned.

ISME has been represented in over 80 countries throughout the world by National Sections/Organizations which assist in transacting financial business and in sponsoring music education activities. In 1976, ISME Regional Centers began to be established to assist with these functions. Centers exist in Buenos Aires (for Latin American countries), Tokyo (for Asian countries), and Bonn (for European countries).

Arrangement

The ISME Archives are divided into eighteen record groups.

  1. Board of Directors
  2. Officers
  3. Commissions
  4. Constitution and bylaws
  5. Financial and administrative records
  6. General assemblies
  7. Conferences
  8. International seminars
  9. Research seminars
  10. National sections and organizations
  11. Affiliations with international organizations
  12. Affiliations with miscellaneous groups
  13. Miscellaneous projects
  14. Publications
  15. Photographs
  16. Realia
  17. Audiovisual materials
  18. Accruals

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

The International Society for Music Education (ISME) records were established at the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1985. Materials have been received from Robert Werner, Ronald Smith, Henning Bro Rasmussen, the estate of Vanett Lawler (through Dorothy Regardie), Yasuharu Takahagi, Rodolfo Zubrisky, and Dr. Marie McCarthy.

Related Material

  1. Vanett Lawler Papers
  2. Henning Bro Rasmussen Papers
  3. Ronald Smith Papers
  4. Robert Warner Papers
  5. John Ritchie Papers
  6. Rodolfo Zubrinsky Papers

Processing Information

Processing supported by the Rose Marie Grentzer Fund.

Status
Completed
Author
Processing begun by Elaine Phelps, 1991; completed by Sarah Lindblom, August 2013. Subsequent accruals integrated by SCPA staff.
Date
2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English
Sponsor
Processing supported by the Rose Marie Grentzer Fund.

Library Details

Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library

Contact:
University of Maryland Libraries
8270 Alumni Drive
College Park MD 20742 United States