In 1976 SEM established a Distinguished Lecture as the
centerpiece of its annual meeting. Charles Seeger was the first Distinguished
Lecturer and in 1983, after his death, the lecture was named in his honor. Each
year the SEM Board selects for the lecture a leading ethnomusicologist or
scholar from a related discipline to reflect on the history of ethnomusicology
and to offer insights on current directions in the field. Select the names
below to learn more about past lecturers.
1977. Mieczyslaw
Kolinski
"The Structure of Music: Diversification versus Constraint"
1978. David P.
McAllester
"The Astonished Ethno-muse"
1979. Gilbert
Rouget
Scheduled, but later cancelled
1980. Alan P.
Merriam
Scheduled, but passed away before. Memorial addresses: Steven Wild ("Alan P. Merriam, Professor”) and Bruno Nettl ("Alan P. Merriam: Scholar and Leader")