Sharing Knowledge

What musicologists can do for you

Musicologists can be invited to write a biography of an individual or an institution, provide expertise on unknown musical compositions or notations, specific recordings, film and game music, and offer expertise to answer questions related to the cultural policy, the music industry and national infrastructure of music, its cultural and historical context.

Dutch cultural life

As music is an important societal phenomenon, deeply immersed in the daily activities of all peoples, the musical 'infrastructure' mirrors a multitude of cultural identities and audiovisual formats within a broad range of traditions, historical backgrounds and contemporary manifestations. The research group studies many of these, while it stands firmly rooted in the concert practice of the Netherlands and abroad. Research group members are clearly visible as advisers and active participants in Dutch cultural life and beyond.

Collaboration

The group first and foremost seeks collaboration with (a) festivals, orchestras, ensembles, agencies and individual musicians, as well as relevant concert venues. At the same time, close contacts with (b) diverse media platforms are fostered, which results in active collaboration with radio- and television programmes or in a more distant type of advisory role. Furthermore, members of the group are present in (c) various academic and civic advisory boards, as well as in (d) music juries, while joining forces with (e) pedagogical institutions whenever possible. The following paragraphs provide some concrete examples:

  • Prof. Emile Wennekes collaborates with the Utrechts Orgelarchief to collect and archive historic organ information and documentation. He provides repertoire advice for soloists and ensembles and shares materials retrieved from Dutch archives and is involved in the jubilee activities of the centennial celebrations of Huize Gaudeamus: a concert and debate center in Bilthoven. He will be master of ceremonies as well as chairing the debates relevant to the future of the organization.
  • Dr Floris Schuiling was head of the jury awarding the Boy Edgar Prize, the most prestigious prize for Dutch musicians in jazz and improvised music, and editions of Misha Mengelberg.
  • Dr Rebekah Ahrendt has acted as a historical consultant for the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? (season 20, episode 1, 2023). She used her knowledge of early modern Dutch music and archives to help trace the musical and theatrical roots of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family and appeared as an expert on the show.
  • Dr Eric Jas and Dr Rebekah Ahrendt are regular contributors to the programme booklet of the Utrecht Early Music Festival. Dr Rebekah Ahrendt, Dr Annelies Andries and Dr Ruxandra Marinescu presented their research at the STIMU symposium “The Revival of Heritage” (curated by Dr Rebekah Ahrendt) of the Utrecht Early Music Festival 2023.”
  • Dr Eric Jas was consultant for a CD project of The Choir of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge, directed by David Skinner(2023), and collaborates with the Alamire Foundation at Leuven to introduce music and musical manuscripts from the sixteenth century to a wider audience by means of publications and video presentations.
  • Furthermore, our staff members often provide public lectures at events throughout the Netherlands and internationally, such as Culturele Zondagen and Nederlands Film Festival.
TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht
TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht (bron Wikimedia/Sebastiaan ter Burg)

Musicology student interns

Not only our researchers are available to share their musicological knowledge. Our students also have a sophisticated knowledge of music and thus make excellent interns. In the past, they have taken internships at several cultural institutions, archives and museums:

Liszt Concours and Festival | Gaudeamus Muziekweek | NTR Radio and TV | Brava | Alferink Artist Management | Netherlands Music Institute | Merlijn Twaalfhoven | Tivoli-Vredenburg | Concertgebouw Amsterdam | De Doelen Rotterdam | Muziekgebouw Eindhoven | Special Collections, University Library Utrecht | Special collections, National Library of the Netherlands | Special Collections, University Library University of Amsterdam | Meertens Institute | Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences | Museum Speelklok

Partners

Musicologists of Utrecht University collaborate with academic, cultural and societal institutes, such as: