Laurier Alumni's Significant Contributions at the 2023 American Musicological Society Conference.

Nov. 15, 2023

In Denver, the 2023 American Musicological Society Conference brought together inquisitive minds passionate about musical exploration and scholarship.

Dr. Kirsten Yri, the coordinator of musicology at Laurier, chaired a session on "Compositional Strategies for Sacrality and Acceptance" which explored Egyptian influences in Nile's music, the experimental jazz of Sun Ra, and the notational complexity in Frank Zappa's work. 

Many distinguished alumni from Laurier's Faculty of Music made exceptional contributions at the conference, illuminating various facets of musicology and research. Dr. Brian Locke (BMus ’95) delved into the question, “Is Czech music white?” by examining the first comprehensive book on jazz by Czech musician and composer, E. F. Burian. Alexandrea Jonker (BMus ’16) offered a compelling analysis of gender dynamics in Johanna Beyer's compositions through the lens of 'Queer Theory.'

Professor Jennifer Bain (BMus ’90) showcased computational n-gram analysis of Hildegard von Bingen's compositional style, and Dr. Debra Lacoste (BMus ’92) highlighted Cantus, the Latin Ecclesiastical Chant database. 

Dr. Samantha Cooper's (BMus ’16) talk, "The 'Undesirable' in Box 14," shed light on Jewish men's roles at the Metropolitan Opera House amid antisemitism. She also received recognition for her article on Fanny Brice and Barbra Streisand's vocal recordings. 

Dr. Vivian Luong's (BMus ’14) presentation explored ‘minor’ feelings in music theory, challenging perceptions of the 'music lover,' while the group caught up with Dr. Gillian Robertson (BMus ’09), an expert in online theory pedagogies. 

Three Laurier alumni pursuing doctoral work in musicology also attended the conference. Kaleb Koslowski (BMus ’13), Gillian Radcliffe (BMus ’21), and Hanisha Kulothparen (BMus ’19) engaged with Laurier alumni, celebrating the convergence of diverse academic paths.

The conference concluded with the resonance of intellectual exchange, showcasing the depth of musical scholarship and Laurier's lasting influence.