Web Resources

International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM)

http://music.columbia.edu/~ictm/

ICTM is a non-governmental organization devoted to the study and practice of music traditions from around the world. Among other activities, they edit the prestigious UNESCO Collection, recordings of music from cultures around the world. The site provides links to study groups, related to the organization, as well as information on conferences and other activities.

http://www.unesco.org/culture/cdmusic/index.shtml

This site provides access to the recordings commissioned as part of the UNESCO World Heritage preservation projects. In addition to marketing information on the recordings, the site provides links to music related organizations within UNESCO, as well as additional information on the preservation of cultural heritage.

http://www.si.edu/folkways/

This is the site for the historic folklore recordings underwritten by the Smithsonian Institution. The collection reflects the diversity of American music folklore, and has been broadened to include examples of music from other world cultures as well. Links to Liquid Audio samples and other materials are included at this site.

http://www.middlebury.edu/~lib/ethno.html

Access to research groups, journals and music archives related to academic study of world music can be found here. The site also includes links to sites addressing area studies in music and cultures from around the world.

http://www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu/ethnomusicology/Related.html

Links to organizations and area studies for world music can be found at this site.

Imagine you've been given opportunity to apply for a grant to study and record specific musical cultures of your choice. Your job will be to prove you are knowledgeable about the historic and cultural underpinnings related to the cultures you choose to investigate, by creating a report profiling the importance of the musical traditions you will study, along with major challenges related to the cultural heritage of the region.

1		Select three cultures of your own choosing, then name and describe three resources directly related to the study of these musical cultures.
2		List and describe additional resources you can use to learn more about to culture and politics of the regions.
3		What kinds of challenges related to cultural preservation are present in the musical cultures you choose to investigate? Name some organizations and groups with vested interests in cultural preservation in the region.
4		Now create a two-paragraph profile for each musical culture you choose to investigate. Include a description of the cultural and historic underpinnings of the music, and a description of the social challenges effecting the musical traditions that are the focus of your study.