The Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM) was founded in 1955 by David McAllester, Alan Merriam, Willard Rhodes, and Charles Seeger to promote the research, study, and performance of music in all historical periods and cultural contexts. Through its publications and its national and regional meetings, the Society provides a forum for discussion of current scholarly research and fosters the promotion and development of a variety of traditional art forms. The SEM records consist of administrative records; presidential and other executive committee member papers; minutes; reports; membership rosters; financial reports and audits; committee records; chapter records; conference materials; associated organization materials; and publications including the SEM Journal, Newsletter, and audio-visual and monograph series. Some files in this collection are restricted. Please contact the curator for more information.
Boxes 1-10 and 12 of Series 1.1 are restricted until January 1, 2027. Otherwise, the collection is open for research use.
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
73.25 Linear Feet
English
The Society for Ethnomusicology records cover the period from 1953 to 2015; the bulk of the materials date from 1956 to 2007. The collection consists of administrative records, presidential and other executive committee member papers, minutes, reports, membership rosters, financial reports and audits, committee records, chapter records, conference materials, associated organization materials, and publications including the SEM Journal, Newsletter, and audio-visual and monograph series. Included are papers from SEM Board and Council members, committees, and regional chapters, information from annual meetings, SEM publications, related organizations and correspondence regarding SEM business.
This collection is organized into ten series.
The Society for Ethnomusicology records were donated to the University of Maryland Libraries in November 1988, with many subsequent accruals.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library