Musicological Society of Australia

Musicological Society of Australia Incorporated

— 2002 annual general meeting —

Held at the Conservatorium (School of Music and Drama),
The University of Newcastle

Sunday, 6 October 2002 at 11.30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

Tabled: A: Agenda

B: Minutes of last AGM, 23 September 2001, Adelaide

C: Secretary’s Report

D: Treasurer’s Report

E: Membership Secretary’s Report

F: Report for MSA on SIMS 2004

G: MSA IT and Marketing Strategies Report

Nicholas Routley, Society President, welcomed Society members to the meeting.

Present: Nicholas Routley (chair), Roland Bannister, Kate Barney, Brydie Bartleet, Linda Barwick, Gavin Carfoot, Ian Cook, Patricia Dale, Craig De Wilde, Michael Ewans, Anne-Marie Forbes, Daniela Kaleva, Steven Knopoff, Paul McIntyre, Liz Mackinlay, Allan Marett, Frank Murphy, Steven Nelson, John Phillips, Leanne Power, Robyn Ryan, Margaret Sharpe, Jennie Shaw, Mark Smith, Jula Szuster, Chris Wainwright.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Annette Anderson, Greg Anderson, Michael Burden, Nancy Calo, Brett Chapman, Kimi Coaldrake, Robert Constable, Joel Crotty, Robert Curry, Kirsty Gillespie, Malcolm Gillies, Rosalind Halton, Robyn Holmes, Margaret Kartomi, Elizabeth Kertesz, Margaret King, James Morrissey, Kerry Murphy, Jacqueline Ogeil, David Pear, Simon Perry, Claudio Pompili, Rosemary Richards, Victoria Rogers, Helen Rusak, Aline Scott-Maxwell, Natalie Shea, Gordon Spearritt, Jason Stoessel, Graham Strahle, David Symons, Shirley Trembath, Paul Watt, John Whiteoak, Stephen Wild, Carol Williams.

2. Confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting of 23 September 2001

It was moved that: The minutes of the 23 September 2001 meeting be accepted.

Moved: Craig De Wilde Seconded: Linda Barwick Carried

3. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

4. Society Reports

4.1 President’s Report

Nicholas Routley reported that he was pleased that the Society has continued to make efforts to broaden its interests and membership and that he remains optimistic about its future. The Society’s involvement with the Garma Symposium on Music and Performance, held in Sydney and associated with the 2002 Garma Festival, was an example of the Society’s active involvement in such collaborations. The Society was also looking forward to holding its 26th annual national conference in 2003 with the New Zealand Musicological Society and its 27th conference, along with the ICTM and IASPM, as part of the IMS Symposium in Melbourne in 2004. As outgoing Society President, Nicholas expressed his heartfelt thanks to Treasurer Natalie Shea, John Phillips, who had filled the position of Secretary after Kathy Marsh’s resignation, and Membership Secretary Chris Wainwright. He also thanked website co-ordinator Brett Chapman and Paul Watt, editor of Musicology Australia, who was stepping down after a three-year term. Nicholas had accepted Paul’s resignation with great regret, but was pleased that Paul will continue his involvement with the Journal as Assistant Editor and that Jennie Shaw has agreed to take over Paul’s role as Editor. Nicholas also thanked members of the National Committee for their contributions, but suggested that the incoming Executive might make more structured use of the National Committee members’ skills. Nicholas thanked in particular Anne-Marie Forbes for her continuous service to the Society in various capacities over many years.

It was moved that: The President’s Report be accepted.

Moved: John Phillips Seconded: Anne-Marie Forbes Carried

4.2 Secretary’s Report

John Phillips, Society Secretary, read his report (tabled). John noted that the Secretary’s burden in the last year had been lessened considerably by the capable administration of the Executive, especially thanks to Membership Secretary Chris Wainwright and Treasurer Natalie Shea. John had continued to advise Chris, to communicate with Society members and to put together the Society’s Newsletter.

John observed with some concern that the Society’s membership had fallen in the 2001-2002 financial year. Although a number of factors played a role, the decline was due mainly to the absence of a national conference in that financial year. John noted that the decline was likely to continue through the coming two years, in which the Society’s national conferences would be held in conjunction with meetings of other societies. While John expected membership numbers to have increased after the Newcastle conference, he also stressed that it was crucial that conference convenors insist that those who presented papers at Society conferences be financial members of the Society. In closing, John thanked the outgoing Executive, Society editors, conference convenors, National Committee, and Society members for their support and advice.

It was moved that: The Secretary’s Report be accepted.

Moved: Frank Murphy Seconded: Jula Szuster Carried

4.3 Treasurer’s Report

Nicholas and John briefly discussed aspects of the eight-point report prepared by Society Treasurer Natalie Shea (tabled). Nicholas noted that Natalie had been present at the National Committee meeting, where her report had been discussed in detail. John observed that, according to Natalie’s report, the Society’s assets were in a healthy state but would benefit from continuing efforts to encourage members to renew their subscriptions.

It was moved that: The Treasurer’s Report be accepted.

Moved: Michael Ewans Seconded: Anne-Marie Forbes Carried

4.4 Membership Secretary’s Report

Chris Wainwright, Membership Secretary, referred members present to his tabled report. Like John and Natalie, Chris expressed concern at the decline in individual membership numbers during the 2001-2002 financial year. Chris urged members who were not currently financial to renew their memberships promptly. On the other hand, debts owed by several institutional subscribers had been settled. Chris also referred to the Society’s weekly E-News Service, an initiative designed to deliver information about professional opportunities to members, and thanked a number of individuals and organisations for their inspiration and assistance with the E-News project. Chris also thanked Natalie and John in particular for their practical assistance during the year.

It was moved that: The Membership Secretary’s Report be accepted.

Moved: Anne-Marie Forbes Seconded: Steven Knopoff Carried

4.5 Journal Editor’s Report

The Journal Editor’s report submitted by Paul Watt was read by John Phillips. Paul had reported that volume 25 of Musicology Australia was in press. A number of items for volume 26 had been accepted and others were being reviewed. Paul was sorry to end his term as editor and thanked the Executive, National Committee, and membership for their support. He closed his report with a call to members to continue to submit articles to the journal.

It was moved that: The Journal Editor’s Report be accepted.

Moved: Gavin Carfoot Seconded: :Linda Barwick Carried

4.6 Newsletter Editor’s Report

Newsletter Editor John Phillips noted that 432 copies of the Newsletter were produced in both March and October 2002. Thanks to Chris Wainwright’s weekly E-News bulletin, it had been decided that, aside from Conference, Chapter, and Society Reports, the Newsletter should only carry announcements directly related to Society conferences and events, unless copy has been especially requested for inclusion. Printing costs continued to be very reasonable, thanks to the competitive rates offered by KwikKopy Unley and, in John’s view, the publication of hardcopy versions of the Newsletter continues to represent a tangible benefit to members.

It was moved that: The Newsletter Editor’s Report be accepted.

Moved: Liz Mackinlay Seconded: Paul McIntyre Carried

4.7 Website Coordinator’s Report

The report of Website Coordinator, Brett Chapman, had not been received by the AGM. Brett had sent his apologies.

4.8 International Musicological Society (IMS) Report

Discussion of the 2004 IMS Conference (SIMS 2004) was deferred to item 5.4. The issue of IMS liaison member was deferred to item 6.3.

4.9 International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM) Report

The report submitted by Stephen Wild, Vice-President of the ICTM, was read by John Phillips. Stephen noted that a number of scholars who were members of both the ICTM and MSA had indicated that they intended to participate in the 37th World Conference of the ICTM in Fuzhou and Quanzhou, China, in July 2003. Stephen would continue to chair the ICTM Oceania Study Group and Society member Linda Barwick had been appointed to Chair the ICTM National Committee in Australia. Stephen was pleased to report that the ICTM Executive Board had also agreed to co-host SIMS 2004 in Melbourne.

It was moved that: The ICTM Report be accepted.

Moved: Roland Bannister Seconded: Allan Marett Carried

4.10 Indigenous Forum Report

Linda Barwick announced that, as a result of a meeting of the Indigenous Forum during the Newcastle conference, the Forum had recommended that the Executive consider appropriate mechanisms to establish an Indigenous Presenter Scholarship. The Scholarship would cover registration for the conference and all conference items (including satchel and abstract booklet) as well as membership in the Society for one year. The Forum has agreed that this would go some way towards practical recognition and linking of traditional knowledge systems and the Society’s knowledge and membership bases. Nicholas Routley agreed and suggested that means for establishing the Scholarship be discussed and implemented by the incoming Executive. The Forum was also keen to encourage future conference convenors to consider scheduling presentations, like that made at the current conference by Joe Neparrng Gumbala, as plenary rather than parallel sessions where appropriate.

Linda also reported that the Forum had agreed that it was important to have a voice within the federal government’s National Research Priorities setting exercise in 2003. It had been agreed that a more effective, appropriate and consistent proposal could be developed if discussions were channelled through the Society, rather than through individual institutions. There was some discussion of these points and general agreement with this position by members present. The Forum therefore proposed the following motion for consideration by members at the AGM:

That the National Executive be empowered to participate on behalf of the Musicological Society of Australia in the Commonwealth Government’s National Research Priorities setting exercise in 2003, and that a timely call for members’ nominations of research priorities be advertised in the Society’s Newsletter. It is noted that it may be appropriate in this regard for the Society to collaborate with other scholarly societies.

Moved: Linda Barwick Seconded: Allan Marett Carried unanimously

Nicholas thanked the Forum for its recommendations and proposal.

It was moved: That the report of the Indigenous Forum by accepted.

Moved: Chris Wainwright Seconded: Liz Mackinlay Carried

4.11 Report of the Gender and Sexuality Forum

John Phillips reported that 19 members had participated in the Gender and Sexuality Forum during the Newcastle conference and that discussion had been useful. (For a more detailed report on this forum see below, p. 23—Ed.)

4.12 Report of the Music and Technology Forum

Gavin Carfoot suggested that the under-representation of music technology at the Newcastle conference and in the MSA as a whole should be addressed. There was general agreement with this point, although John Phillips pointed out that, unlike the Gender and Sexuality Forum and the Indigenous Forum, both of which had been set up to continue discussions started at the Melbourne conference in the 2001, the Music and Technology Forum had in fact been an initiative of the current conference.

5. Conference Reports

5.1 Progress Report on the Society’s 25th National Conference, Newcastle 2002 and proposed publication of proceedings by Cambridge Scholars Press

Michael Ewans, conference convenor, reported that there had been a strong response to the call for papers. At this stage the conference organisers expected the conference to make a small profit of just over $100. Michael and Ros Halton were grateful to those delegates who attended and to the University of Newcastle and the School of Music and Drama for sponsoring the accommodation costs of the three plenary speakers.

Michael also noted that the conference committee and the MSA Executive have accepted an offer from Cambridge Scholars Press (CSP) to publish refereed proceedings of the conference. Submissions are to be peer reviewed and the editors would attempt to ensure that items accepted represent a wide variety of MSA research interests. Completed proceedings would be sent to CSP for publication in June 2003.

Nicholas Routley congratulated Michael, Rosalind, and their conference team for a very successful conference.

5.2 Progress Report on the Brisbane Study Weekend, 2003

Liz Mackinlay reported that the Queensland Chapter had accepted the Society’s invitation to host the Society’s Study Weekend in Brisbane in 2003. The Study Weekend would probably be held in the September mid-semester break at the University of Queensland. Liz hoped that both the Department of Anthropology and the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies at the University of Queensland would accept the Chapter’s invitations to be involved in the Study Weekend.

5.3 26th National Conference of the MSA, Wellington, New Zealand, 2003

Nicholas noted that, as he had mentioned in his President’s Report, the 26th National Conference of the MSA would be held jointly with the National Conference of the New Zealand Musicological Society in Wellington at the end of November 2003. The conference was being organised by the New Zealand Musicological Society and the call for papers had appeared in the October 2002 Newsletter of the MSA.

5.4 27th National Conference of the MSA, Melbourne, 2004: joint conference with the IMS, ICTM, and IASPM , 12–17 July 2004 (SIMS 2004)

Craig De Wilde, secretary of the 2004 SIMS Inc. Organising Committee, referred those present to the report on SIMS 2004 by Margaret Kartomi, president of the Organising Committee (tabled). The opening functions and reception will be at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University: all other sessions will be held at the Victorian College of the Arts. Three major themes had been chosen and the call for papers (with a closing date of 1 May 2003) had already been posted on several websites and had appeared on the Society’s E-News bulletin. Submissions could be made as individual papers or as sessions of 3 to 4 papers.

Craig also noted that the MSA was well-represented on the SIMS 2004 Organising Committee, which currently included 11 longstanding MSA members as well as several former Society Presidents.

6. Current Issues

6.1 MSA Marketing and IT Strategies

Paul McIntyre, incoming Secretary, referred those present to his tabled report. Paul noted that both stages of his proposal have been drawn up in line with the Society’s draft business strategy. Paul recommended that the Society’s website be redesigned using an online content management system that would allow MSA National Committee members to access and alter data. Future developments of the site might include creation of member accounts, online member services and conference registration and an online bookshop.

Paul noted that it was essential that additional funds be obtained in order for the entire upgrade to be completed. Paul had investigated a number of possible funding sources, which were listed in his report. With respect to the possibility of attracting sponsors through tax-deductible donations, Paul would also investigate the practicality of having the Society listed for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) tax status.

Paul had also listed two marketing strategies in his report. The first of these was an offer of a trial 3-month free membership, which would include the weekly E-News bulletin and other benefits as agreed. The second, a market research survey that addressed ways in which membership services could be improved, was currently being prepared by Chris Wainwright.

Nicholas thanked Paul for his initiatives and suggested that members who had comments and suggestions contact Paul directly.

6.2 Society name change revisited

Nicholas reported that Michael Ewans had addressed the National Committee on the issue of a name change for the Society. The issue had been debated at length at the committee meeting. Although the Society had voted against a name change in 1999, it was agreed at the meeting that the issue should be raised again, but that there should be no changes to the Society’s official name until after the joint conference with the IMS in 2004. Arguments in favour of the name change were that the term ‘musicological’ had never been widely understood in Australia and that ‘society’ may be an outmoded term. Although not all National Committee members had agreed with these arguments it had been proposed that the Society adopt a trading name of ‘Music Research Australia’. The use of the trading name would not affect the legal status of the Society’s official name. On the other hand it could be used as a platform to develop the image the Society wishes to propagate. Nicholas invited discussion of the use of ‘Music Research Australia’ as a trading name.

Allan Marett supported the use of ‘Music Research Australia’ as a trading name for the Society but opposed the idea of replacing the official name of Musicological Society of Australia. Disagreeing with the first point raised in support of an alternative name, Allan argued that music researchers in Australia have in fact staked out a meaning for the term ‘musicology’ that covers a broad range of scholarly fields and that, in Australian academic communities, musicology is understood as the study of all musics. Michael agreed that this might hold true for large portions of the academic community, but he argued that ‘musicology’ has a narrow meaning for undergraduates and that the Society also needs to consider future music researchers or risk a continuing decline in membership. In response to a query from Frank Murphy, John Phillips pointed out that the Society membership needs to be aware of practical and financial effects of an official name change, which would require changes to the Society’s incorporation documents. Frank also warned against change for change’s sake, which was a strategy particularly rife in the university sector. Paul McIntyre agreed but pointed out that a potential benefit of a trading name which could operate alongside an official name was that, like ‘branding’, it might attract members to the Society from fields outside traditional music research, such as cultural studies and anthropology.

Allan took issue with the picture of continuing decline in the Society’s membership and noted that there has been a general trend since 1998 of increasing memberships, which was significantly enhanced by national conferences in two major centres in 2000 (Sydney) and 2001 (Melbourne). The Sydney conference in particular had attracted a number of scholars outside the traditional music research fields. Margaret Sharpe agreed and noted that there appeared to be other factors that had contributed to the decline in financial memberships in the current year. Steven Knopoff observed that, while he felt relatively dispassionate about a name change, it was a passionate issue for some and their views, even on the issue of a trading name, needed to be respected: as in 1999, the only course would be to hold a referendum on the issue of an official name change. Nicholas agreed that the change of official name could only be achieved by constitutional means, but that the adoption of a trading name could be passed by a majority of the AGM. Jennie Shaw pointed out that in the National Committee meeting it had been agreed that Society Chapters were free to name themselves by the most marketable label appropriate for their membership and region. A final point in support of a name change was made by Linda Barwick, who argued that the Society needed to be more conscious of its relationships with other organisations and individuals and that this would probably be assisted by the use of a name such as ‘Music Research Australia’.

In summary, Nicholas suggested that the membership seemed to be in favour of retaining the term ‘musicological’ as an expression, to those to whom the term has meaning, of the widest and most profound understanding of music study and, in addition, in attracting new members, especially those to whom the term ‘musicological’ has few or negative connotations, through the use of a trading name.

It was moved that: For a period of eighteen months the trading name ‘Music Research Australia’ be used in conjunction with the Society’s official name, Musicological Society of Australia.

Moved: Michael Ewans Seconded: Paul McIntyre Carried by 22 for, 1 against

6.3 Co-option of an ongoing IMS liaison.

Nicholas Routley noted that, although Margaret Kartomi was no longer a member of the IMS Directorium, she had agreed to continue on the Society’s National Committee, in a co-opted capacity, as IMS liaison member. Margaret was also to be congratulated for winning the bid for the 2004 Symposium on behalf of the IMS and the MSA.

6.4 Appointment of new MA editor

Nicholas noted that the appointment of Jennie Shaw as editor of Musicology Australia was endorsed by the meeting.

6.5 Role of the National Executive and appointment of a MSA archivist

Nicholas suggested that, as already mentioned in the Secretary’s report, the incoming Executive should consider making better use of the National Committee’s skills. In addition, a Society member had suggested that an MSA archivist should be appointed to monitor the collection of Society documents. This issue had been discussed by the National Committee and the Committee had decided to consult Robyn Holmes at the National Library about the appointment of an archivist with the appropriate expertise.

Allan Marett also suggested that the merits of an ARC Linkage grant with the National Library be investigated. Linda Barwick explained that there were already ‘digitalisation on demand’ systems in place at several archives. Nicholas suggested that Linda Barwick and Paul McIntyre coordinate efforts to investigate the benefits of digitalising the Society’s records and that others interested should contact Linda or Paul.

7. Election of National Executive and Committee

The following members were nominated for the 2002-2003 year: no election by ballot was required as no opposing nominations were received for these positions.

Executive: Steven Knopoff (President)

Paul McIntyre (Secretary)

Liz Mackinlay (Treasurer)

Gavin Carfoot (Membership Secretary)

Ex-officio positions: Nicholas Routley (Past President)

Stephen Wild (ICTM representative)

Margaret Kartomi (IMS liaison)

National Committee: Joel Crotty, Craig De Wilde, Margaret Sharpe, Jennie Shaw, David Symons, Jula Szuster, Chris Wainwright

Incoming Society President Steven Knopoff thanked the outgoing National Executive and Committee for their exemplary service to the Society.

8. Motions of Appreciation

The following motions of appreciation were proposed by Nicholas Routley and seconded by John Phillips: thanks to Jula Szuster for convening the Adelaide Study Weekend; thanks to Michael Ewans and Ros Halton for convening the Newcastle Conference; thanks to the editors of the Newsletter, E-News bulletin, Musicology Australia, and the Society’s website; thanks to Society members; and thanks to the National Committee. It was moved by Linda Barwick and seconded by Margaret Sharpe that the Society express its appreciation to the outgoing National Executive and give its best wishes to the incoming Executive and National Committee.

9. AOB

There was no other business arising.

Nicholas thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 1.00 pm.

Jennie Shaw

President’s Message

The past two years have seen in general a broadening of the purview of the Society, to bring gay and Lesbian musicology in from the margins of our concerns, and to re-imagine the place of traditional Western musicology among recent exciting emerging disciplines. Especially, they have seen the Society’s commitment to the fostering of indigenous music in Australia enshrined in our constitution. Many initiatives have helped to turn this commitment into effective action, and I would single out one crucial event among these, the Symposium organised by Allan Marett attached to the recent Garma Festival.

Arrangements for the conferences for the next two years are now under weigh. The 2003 conference will be held jointly with the NZMS, in Wellington, at the end of November. After much negotiation we have agreed on this date, in the belief that those academics in the Society who have examination commitments in November will be finished by then, and if any are in doubt about this they are encouraged to pressure their own institutions to allow them to be. In 2004 our conference will be held jointly with the International Musicological Society, which will hold its Intercongressional Symposium in Melbourne in July. Margaret Kartomi is to be congratulated on winning the bid for Monash to host this, and we anticipate the continuing of our close liaison in this joint venture.

As outgoing president, I must voice my heartfelt thanks to my team on the executive. Natalie Shea has been the treasurer from heaven—meticulous, observant, conscientious, and tactful. John Phillips, taking up the secretarial reins from an overworked Chris Wainwright following Kathy Marsh’s departure, despite having already served a term, and despite concurrently completing his PhD thesis, has as always had his finger on the pulse, and been an invaluable support. And the Membership Secretary, Chris Wainwright, has transformed the information distribution mechanism of the society in a way that has made our collective jaws drop. The weekly bulletins from him far surpass anything the society has previously known in the area of internal communication. I wish the team which will take over from us every success, and in particular I wish the future president as careful and responsible support as I have had. I also wish to thank one of our unsung heroes, our magnificent website coordinator, Brett Chapman, for his prompt and faithful maintenance of our website, one of the society’s greatest assets in terms of its ability to communicate both to its members and to outside community.

My thanks also to the members of the National Committee, especially to Jennie Shaw for her exemplary minute-taking, and to all those who have helped with the tedious but essential task of MSA mailouts. In particular I would like to thank the tireless Anne-Marie Forbes, who is not up for election for the next two year period. It was with great relief that I hear from her that her time away from the National Committee was to be thought of more as a sabbatical than a retirement. However, it could be said that the MSA is not making full use of the rich and varied composition of its National Committee, and I think discussion of more structured ways in which its members may be involved would not come amiss.

It seems to me that the Society needs an archivist, and I hope that the incoming Committee will approach the National Library for some advice in this connection.

Paul Watt has served the Society for three years as editor of Musicology Australia, and it is with great regret that we accept his resignation from this post. He has maintained the professional standing of the journal over this period, and been unflagging in his attempts to improve its image. It is always a difficult task controlling the coherence of individual journals comprising articles from such a wide band of specialisms, but his editorials have been models of how to do it. He has agreed to continue as Assistant Editor, and we thank Jennie Shaw, the present Assistant Editor, for agreeing to take over as Editor.

Nicholas Routley

National President (outgoing)

Secretary’s Report

In a kind of inverted counterpoint to the standard incipit of most society reports, I am beginning this one by saying that this year has not been a busy one for the secretary. I saw my role in accepting the position of secretary in September last year for a second time really only as stepping into a statutory breach left by the departure of Kathy Marsh from what was already a smoothly functioning team; not only were there no elaborate initiatives afoot requiring great secretarial direction and discretion, but also my immensely capable colleagues Natalie and Chris essentially had the game of society administration sown up. Chris had taken over secretarial duties in 2000 pro tem. on Kathy’s resignation and had already embarked on a number of initiatives which only he could see through. 2001/2 was also something of an ordeal for me personally, with the question of my partner Paul Attinello’s future in Australia on the line, and the completion of my long overdue PhD thesis demanding more than its pound of flesh. So in all respects I must bow to the skill, managerial grace and sheer unflappability of our membership secretary for having taken on more than his fair share of tasks.

The past year also saw the effective cessation of my function as business manager in charge of MSA’s institutional memberships (the subscribers to our journal effectively), a role I accepted in 2000 in deference to Kathy’s and Chris’s workload, with that particular baton also passed back into the capable hands of, you guessed it, Chris Wainwright. Chris had meanwhile instituted the master-stroke of regular email bulletins to the membership, a very worthwhile expansion to my earlier idea of communicating essential society news to the national committee. I continued to stay in touch and advise where needed, field lots of emails, assist Chris wherever I could, continue to bring out the Newsletters and most latterly do lots of cajoling and arm-twisting in the attempt—which always seem to fall to the lot of incumbent secretary—of putting together an executive team to take over the reigns come AGM. He or she must do this, and do so successfully, or wind up continuing ad infinitum as secretary, like Bill Murray in Ground Hog Day…

The society, and its new administration, will face a tricky period. Not only have we not had a conference, our main source of new and renewing memberships, in the first half of the calendar year, but we also face the prospect of 2003 and 2004, both with external conferences, also being lean years in terms of membership renewals. As an indication of the extent to which the conference factor accounts for our yearly membership intake and renewal, I understand from Chris that our current financial membership is fully 60 members down on what it was as of September last year, i.e. we are currently down by some 20% of our membership. Perhaps the lateness of getting renewal notices out this year, caused by attempts to accommodate Australia Post and streamline and economise our mailing services may have played a role. But the real reason is that, for the first year in three, we did not have a conference in April/May. I hope most of the shortfall for this year at least will have been made up by paper-givers at this conference having done the right thing. Against ensuing shortfalls I can only trust Paul McIntyre and the new team will come up with some brilliant and canny suggestions as to how better to market the society, and to expand and enhance its outreach. This does, however, bring home the fact that it remains essential that, as one of our prime sources of membership conference convenors assist the national body in helping ensure paper-givers be financial MSA members when they give their papers. This is simply an economic fact of life for the MSA. We are simply not a big enough society to be able to hand out free podia.

But far be it for me to end on such a bleak, and even admonitory note. The MSA remains a promising and vital enterprise, which must continue to reflect the radical changes in thinking that have gone on in our discipline over the last decade, and it is with the hope that the society move forward in the direction the interests and views of its members determine and that it remain committed and responsive to its members needs that I wish to leave the national committee and the executive, not without regret, after four years of close involvement. I will continue to edit the Newsletter, and of course, will be there with whatever assistance or advice Stephen, Paul, Liz and Gavin may require. My very best wishes to them as they take on these roles, and to the society as a whole. In closing my sincerest thanks, first and foremost, to our esteemed Nicholas and my dear colleagues Natalie and Chris, secondly to the society’s several editors, convenors and coordinators for their assistance in so many ways, and finally to the national committee and many members of the society for their support, help and advice over the preceding years. Dixit.

John Phillips

National Secretary (outgoing)

Treasurer’s Report

For the year ending 30 June 2002

1. The Musicological Society of Australia finished the 2001/02 financial year with net assets of $27,110, representing a deficit of $1,500 (cf. the previous year’s deficit of $1,874). The Society’s total turnover was around 55% that of the previous year: returning to the production of a single issue of Musicology Australia significantly reduced the expenditure, but at the same time income was reduced by two factors: the lack of a National Conference in the 2001/02 financial year and a slightly later distribution of membership renewal forms, which shifted almost all the annual influx of membership subscriptions into the 2002/03 financial year.

2. Income generated over the twelve month period included $12,354 in subscriptions, representing $4,114 in institutional memberships and $8,240 in individual subscriptions. This is a decrease of $10,698 (approx. 46%) from the previous year; there were in that year, however, two influxes of membership renewals. Compared with the previous year, income from subscriptions has been roughly comparable, increasing by $980 (approx 7%).

3.       The cost of producing a print run of 425 copies (130 pp.) of Vol 24 of Musicology Australia was as follows:
                              Printing                             $2,555.33
                              Typesetting                       $2,740.00
                              Total cost                           $5,295.33              (= $12.45 per copy)
This compares with a cost of $16.68 per copy for the (much larger) Vol 23.
Taking these costs into consideration, I believe the current membership subscription fees ($55.00 / $27.50 plus $11.00 for overseas members) to be reasonable and recommend that the 2002/2003 subscription charges be held at the current rates. Given the fluctuating interest rates and the fall in journal sales, however, I recommend that the National Committee consider raising the membership fees in the following year (2003/04).

4. The November 2000 Newcastle study weekend returned a profit of $200.83. The Executive gave this money to the newly-formed Hunter Chapter as a contribution towards start-up funding. The April 2001 Melbourne Conference returned a small loss of $120.74, which was covered by the University of Melbourne. The September 2001 Adelaide study weekend returned a profit of $145. This will be distributed among the chapters in the usual manner.

5. The Society’s two investment accounts have produced $691 in interest between them in the 2001/02 financial year. This is a marked decrease from the previous financial year, as interest rates fell markedly during that period: from around 4.8% to around 3.5% in the V2 account, and from around 5.5% to around 2.9% on the investment account. It is encouraging to note, however, that the interest rate on the Society’s investment account has returned to 5.4% for the current term.

6. The Society’s application for endorsement as an Income Tax Exempt Charity was approved and $193 which had been deducted from the Society’s V2 account as withholding tax has been returned to the account.

7. On 1 July 2002 I was advised by David Hepper that he would no longer be available to audit the Society’s accounts. With the approval of the Executive I arranged for the 2001/02 accounts to be audited by Chris O’Dea of Mentis & Co.

8. I would like to thank the members of the National MSA Committee for their support, and in particular my colleagues on the Executive over the past year, John Phillips, Nicholas Routley and most especially Chris Wainwright, who as Membership Secretary has made enormous efforts to encourage members not to fall behind in their membership subscriptions. I wish the incoming Treasurer and indeed all the incoming Committee and Executive every success for a productive term of office.

Natalie Shea

National Treasurer (outgoing)

Profit and loss statement, balance sheet and auditor’s report for 2001/2 are reproduced on the following pages.

Membership Secretary’s Report

Individual Memberships

For many of us the last financial year has been difficult academically, culturally and financially, so it is not surprising that there has been a slight fall in membership from 329 to 320. In part it can be attributed to members joining for the Sydney 2000 Conference who did not renew their membership in 2001.

The break down of membership by chapter, including the recently formed Hunter Chapter, is given on Tables 1 and 2 (see following pages). They demonstrate the current membership breakdown as at 20 September 2002 and the MSA’s membership trends over the last seven years.

However, the decline in the number of financial members between this and last year is of serious concern. In September 2001, 73% of our members were financial; the proportion currently stands at only 59%. In terms of chasing and issuing membership forms, apart from a slight delay in posting the renewal form, there has been no change in the way in which members have been served. Because of this, over the next months the new membership secretary, with my support and assistance, is going to have to send numerous reminder notices. If you are not currently financial, we urge you to promptly renew your membership.

MSA E-News Service

Earlier this year, the MSA’s E-News service was established to improve the regularity of membership service. We are a member-based organisation; therefore, I believe professional membership service is integral to the Society’s health. This is the first in what we trust will be a number of other membership incentives we will be able to offer in the future, through new community and corporate partnerships that are being developed.

Speaking of partnerships, I would like to acknowledge the organisations and individuals who have helped made this service possible: Dick Letts AM (the source of inspiration for the E-News) of the Music Council of Australia, the Australian Music Centre, the American Musicological Society, the Society for Ethnomusicology and Geoffrey Chew who administers a number of email list services for European musicologists. Lastly, thank you to all MSA members who have provided information, feedback and support.

Institutional Membership

In April 2002, the responsibilities of institutional membership were passed on to me. Since taking on the position, long term debtors and lapsed subscribers have become financial, data problems with subscription houses have begun to be resolved, and a new invoicing system was introduced, to make it easier for debtors to be identified.

At present, one major problem that exists is the missing parcel of 20 copies of Musicology Australia which was sent using standard mailing procedures to Blackwell Music Services in Oxford, UK. Australia Post and the British Mail are currently investigating the matter.

In closing, I would like to warmly thank Natalie Shea and John Phillips for all of the assistance they have provided in record keeping, financial management and mail outs during another busy year.

Christopher Wainwright

Membership Secretary (outgoing)

Table 1

Individual Membership as at September 2002

Chapter /

National Committee 2002–2003

Membership Secretary

Committee Members

Website Coordinators

CONTENTS

monday, 25 August 2003

Held at the Conservatorium (School of Music and Drama),
The University of Newcastle

Sunday, 6 October 2002 at 11.30 am

For the year ending 30 June 2002

National Committee 2002–2003

Membership Secretary

Committee Members

Website Coordinators

CONTENTS

monday, 25 August 2003

Held at the Conservatorium (School of Music and Drama), The University of Newcastle

Sunday, 6 October 2002 at 11.30 am

For the year ending 30 June 2002

Held at the Conservatorium (School of Music and Drama),
The University of Newcastle