Call for Contributions: Special Collection "Contemporary Views on Romani Music and Romani Music Studies"

Research on Romani music has been one of the driving forces behind ethnomusicological minority research at the Department of Folk Music Research and Ethnomusicology at mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna as well as for the foundation of the ICTM Study Group on Music and Minorities. Having evolved out of these scholarly contexts, the Music and Minorities Research Center (MMRC, https://musicandminorities.org/) at mdw is therefore also committed to this field of research.

2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the official recognition of Roma in Austria as a so-called “Volksgruppe” (ethnic minority). In the struggle that preceded this political success, ethnomusicology was involved as a force supporting the activism of Austrian Roma communities. MMRC thus takes this anniversary as an opportunity to dedicate a special collection of M&M to the field of Romani music studies.

We invite you to share your contemporary views on Romani music from the perspective of your own field of expertise. There are no limitations regarding the regions, individuals or communities, genres, etc. discussed in your contribution. Furthermore, we invite reflections on the state and development of Romani music studies in the 21st century. Within this special collection, we do not only seek to include a diversity of musical styles and practices but also a diversity of scholarly approaches: ethnography, music analysis, socio-political and activist approaches, or conceptual and theoretical critique, among others, are welcome. We look forward to receiving many original and thought-provoking contributions!

Timeline

15 June 2023 – Deadline for indicating interest in contributing to the special collection by submitting a working title and draft abstract (not more than 300 words) to mm-journal@mdw.ac.at. The editor-in-chief will inform prospective authors in a timely manner about the suitability of their planned contribution to the special collection or if adaptations would be necessary.

30 September 2023 – Deadline for submitting full manuscripts via the journal website (https://journals.qucosa.de/mm/about/submissions). Please follow M&M’s “Instructions for Authors” (https://journals.qucosa.de/mm/instructions). All submissions will be processed according to M&M’s Peer Review and Quality Assurance guidelines (https://journals.qucosa.de/mm/policies#prqa).

May/June 2024 – Prospective publication date of the special collection.