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International journal honours Monash ethnomusicologist

9 November 2005

The 65th birthday of Professor Margaret Kartomi from Monash's School of Music -- Conservatorium has been marked by the publication of a 'Festschrift' (celebration publication) in honour of her academic achievements.

Professor Margaret Kartomi (centre) with Associate Professor Craig De Wilde and Dr Kay Dreyfus.

A special double issue of the internationally renowned Journal of Musicological Research on Ethnomusicology (November 2005) has been dedicated to Professor Kartomi; it charts her contribution to the study of ethnomusicology and musicology.

The journal features essays by noted academics such as famed US ethnomusicologist Dr Philip Bohlman, who has written an appreciation piece and theoretical article based on Professor Kartomi's work.

Other contributors include former PhD students of Professor Kartomi, and Dr Regina Randhofer, who worked with Professor Kartomi to set up the Australian Archive of Jewish Music, in the School of Music -- Conservatorium .

Monash research officer Dr Kay Dreyfus, who edited the special edition, and the head of the School of Music -- Conservatorium, Associate Professor Craig De Wilde, presented Professor Kartomi with a copy of the journal last week at a gathering of colleagues from the school.

Dr Dreyfus has worked with Professor Kartomi at the school for the past 10 years but has known her personally for more than 35 years.

"This issue celebrates Margaret's work over a period of 40 years," Dr Dreyfus said. "Her achievements in the teaching and research of Asian music have been remarkable, and she has defined the field of ethnomusicology."

Professor Kartomi said she had been pleasantly surprised by the honour. "This is very moving and meaningful to me," she said. "My thanks to Kay and all those involved in the project."

Dr Kartomi joined Monash in 1969 after completing her PhD at Humboldt University in Berlin. She headed the School of Music -- Conservatorium for most of the period between 1989 and 2001 and has published numerous books and research articles on Indonesian and Southeast Asian music, as well as Australian Aboriginal, Baghdadi-Jewish and European music, and research methodology.

In October, an Indonesian translation of her book The Gamelan Digul was launched in Melbourne. This book will also be launched in Jakarta, Indonesia, later this month.