Rather than following the beaten paths of the music industry, some music enthusiasts choose a less conventional route: ethnomusicology. This discipline, at the intersection of the humanities and music, opens up unexpected horizons. It allows for the exploration of music in its multiple facets, as a cultural, social, and historical phenomenon. Ethnomusicologists immerse themselves in various cultures to understand and document musical traditions. Their work goes beyond mere performance, including research, teaching, preservation, and sometimes even participation in community development projects. The career opportunities are varied, ranging from academia to non-governmental organizations.
Exploring Ethnomusicology: A Career Off the Beaten Path
Ethnomusicology, a term still unfamiliar to the general public, refers to the study of music in its cultural context, often far from the spotlight of Western classical music. Laurent Aubert, an emblematic figure in this discipline, perfectly illustrates the richness of such a path. A former curator at the Geneva Ethnography Museum and founder of the Ethnomusicology Workshops, he has highlighted traditional music and world music, particularly those from India, from Kerala to Kashmir.
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The job of an ethnomusicologist is not confined to the walls of a museum or concert hall. It extends to the field, where music is lived and passed down from generation to generation. The Ethnomusicology Workshops, for example, organize concert seasons and workshops, thus sharing the fruits of in-depth research with a broader audience. These initiatives, sustained for over twenty-five years, testify to the vitality and commitment necessary for the dissemination of musical heritage.
The works of Laurent Aubert, particularly through the publication of the Traditional Music Notebooks, have become a reference point for researchers and practitioners in ethnomusicology. These writings, through their rigor and openness, have contributed to establishing the discipline as a legitimate and captivating professional path, offering future ethnomusicologists a career model dedicated to the exploration and valorization of musical diversities.
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Professional Opportunities in Ethnomusicology
The range of professional opportunities in ethnomusicology is as broad as the diversity of the music studied. Ethnomusicologists can orient themselves towards academic research, contributing to the body of knowledge with in-depth studies and publications in specialized journals. This essential work opens doors to university teaching, where sharing expertise becomes daily life. However, the field remains the primary stage for the ethnomusicologist, where music is experienced, where it takes root. Data collection, recording musical performances, and participating in collaborative projects with local communities constitute a fundamental part of their profession.
Beyond academia, perspectives expand towards cultural and creative sectors. Ethnomusicologists, with their deep understanding of musical contexts, prove to be sought-after cultural mediators. They work within museums, such as those in Geneva or Haute-Savoie, where they design exhibitions and educational programs, or contribute to preserving and valorizing sound archives. Non-governmental organizations and international institutions, engaged in the preservation of intangible heritage, also recruit ethnomusicologists for their ability to analyze and document cultural practices.
The boundary between ethnomusicology and the music industries narrows when considering the role of ethnomusicologists in the production and dissemination of music. They can become festival producers, concert organizers, or even artistic agents for musicians specializing in traditional and world music. Their in-depth knowledge of the subject allows for the creation of events that are both authentic and accessible to the general public. Opportunities also arise in music journalism, where the critique and promotion of lesser-known genres require an expertise that the ethnomusicologist is particularly qualified to provide.