Skip to main content

Dr. Steven M. Friedson

Professor

University of North Texas

Department of Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology

(940) 453-4600

Email: steven.friedson@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, University of Washington, 1991
    Major: Music
    Specialization: Ethnomusicology
  • BFA, Cornish College of the Arts, 1985
    Major: Composition/Piano

Professional Positions

  • Distinguished Research Professor of Music and Anthropology, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2011 - Present).
  • Area Coordinator, Ethnomusicology, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (1991 - Present).
  • Regents Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2008 - 2011).
  • Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (1999 - 2008).
  • Associate Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (1995 - 1999).

Professional Memberships

  • American Anthropological Association. (December 01, 2015 - Present).
  • Society for Ethnomusicology. (1983 - Present).
  • African Studies Association. (1989 - 2013).

Development Activities

  • Other (Consultation), "Music and Ritual", Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Shanghai,China. (September 2023).
  • Other (Consultations), Center for Sacred Mussic, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana. Accra,Ghana. (August 2023).
  • Other (Consultation with China Conservatory), Global Music Education League, China Conservatory, Beijing. Beijing,China. (June 2018).
  • Faculty Development Leave, The Weaponization of Music, University of North Texas. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (January 13, 2021 - May 5, 2021).
  • Other (Procured $25,000 funding for new Chinese musical instruments), Faculty Advisor for the Chinese Ensemble, College of Music. denton,Tx,United States of America. (March 2017 - October 2017).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • ANTH 4610 - Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology, 8 courses.
  • ANTH 4770 - Ethnographic Field School, 2 courses.
  • ANTH 5700 - Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology, 1 course.
  • MUET 3030 - Music Cultures of the World, 40 courses.
  • MUET 3040 - Ethnomusicology Studies Abroad, 5 courses.
  • MUET 3050 - Music of Africa, 5 courses.
  • MUET 4500 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology, 2 courses.
  • MUET 4900 - SPECIAL PROBLEMS, 4 courses.
  • MUET 5030 - Music Cultures of the World, 13 courses.
  • MUET 5040 - Ethnomusicology Studies Abroad, 7 courses.
  • MUET 5050 - Music of Africa, 7 courses.
  • MUET 5210 - Seminar in Ethnomusicology, 11 courses.
  • MUET 5220 - Ethnomusicology Field and Research Methods, 4 courses.
  • MUET 5900 - Special Problems in Ethnomusicology, 9 courses.
  • MUET 6000 - Proseminar in Ethnomusicology, 4 courses.
  • MUET 6010 - Current Issues in Ethnomusicology, 7 courses.
  • MUGC 4890 - Studies in Music, 4 courses.
  • MUGC 4980 - Experimental Course, 1 course.
  • MUGC 5890 - Studies in Music, 1 course.
  • MUGC 5950 - Master's Thesis, 25 courses.
  • MUGC 6900 - Special Problems, 1 course.
  • MUGC 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 13 courses.
  • MUGC 6954 - Dissertation Recital, 1 course.
  • MUMH 4910 - Special Problems, 3 courses.
  • MUMH 5910 - Special Problems, 1 course.

Directed Student Learning

  • Dissertation Committee Chair, "Forbidden Sounds: The Art, Culture, and Politics of Chinese Hip-Hop," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (2022).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (2022).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Echoes of the Banshee: Understanding the Legacy of the Irish Keen in the 21st Century," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (September 26, 2020).
  • Related Field Professor, Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (August 2018).
  • Related Field Professor, Instrumental Studies. (August 2018).
  • Other (External Examiner), "Shifting Identities - The Corporeal Simulation and Trans-contextualization in Sri Lankan Low-country Drumming," Anthropology. (2022 - 2022).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "Sounding the Ancestors: Sangpuy Katatepan Mavalyw and the AncestralL Spirit Imaginary," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (October 2, 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, "MARIACHISMO: MUSIC, MACHISMO, AND MEXICANIDAD," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (August 2016 - August 17, 2020).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, "DESPEDIDA CON MARIACHI: THE MUSICAL MEDIATION OF MASCULINE GRIEF IN MEXICAN IMMIGRANT," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (January 15, 2016 - August 6, 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "BORROWING CULTURE: BRITISH MUSIC CIRCULATING LIBRARIES AND DOMESTIC MUSICAL PRACTICE, 1853–1910," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (April 9, 2020).
  • Other (External reviewer), "Come Together Right Now Over Me," Anthropology. (May 1, 2019 - December 1, 2019).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (August 25, 2016 - December 15, 2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, "Rasa Theory in Carnatic Music," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (August 28, 2017 - November 26, 2018).
  • Related Field Professor, "Investigation, Interpretation and Internalization of Concerto Piccolino for Vibraphone by Milton Babbitt," Instrumental Studies. (August 15, 2015 - October 18, 2018).
  • DMA Dissertation Recital - Major Professor, "Expanding the violin’s possibilities in Chinese Music: A case study of transcription and performance issues related to pipa music played on the violin," Instrumental Studies. (August 15, 2016 - May 15, 2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "master's thesis," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (April 14, 2018).
  • Other (Undergraduate Honor's Project), "Music Culture of the Forest People of Africa," Honors College. (August 28, 2017 - December 01, 2017).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "Listening in the Living Room: The Pursuit of Authentic Spaces and Sounds in Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Do It Yourself (DIY) Punk Rock," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (August 2017).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "“The Most Expressionist of All the Arts: Programs, Politics, and Performance in Critical Discourse about Music and Expressionism, c. 1918-1923”," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (May 2016).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (May 2016).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, "It's Not Fusion: Hybridity in the Music of Vijay Iyer and Rudresh Mahanthappa," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (2010 - 2012).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, "Performance of the Classical in the Karnatic Music Society of South India," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (2010 - 2012).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, "The Otha Turner Family Picnic: Occupying Musical and Social Space In-Between Saturday Night and Sunday Morning," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (2009 - 2011).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, "The "being" of a Stickist: Phenomenology, Globalization, and "Dwelling"," Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology. (2006 - 2008).

Awards and Honors

  • Robert M. Trotter Visiting Distinguished Professor, University of Oregon. (February 2017).
  • Longest Running Study Abroad Program, UNT-International. (2012).
  • Alan Merriam Prize for Most Distinguished Book in Ethnomusicology, Society for Ethnomusicology. (2010).
  • Regents Lecture, University of North Texas. (2007).
  • Distinguished International Education Award, University of North Texas. (2004).
  • Fellow, American Philosophical Society. (2004).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book

  • Steven M. Friedson. (2009). Remains of Ritual: Northern Gods in a Southern Land (Winner of the 2010 Alan P. Merriam Prize for Outstanding Book in Ethnomusicology).
  • Steven M. Friedson. (1996). Dancing Prophets: Musical Experience in Tumbuka Healing.

    • Book Chapter

  • Friedson, S.M. (2024). "Music at the Edge: American Torture and African Trance". Egalitarian Dynamics: Liminality, and Victor Turner’s Contribution to the Understanding of Socio-historical Process. New York, New York, Berghahn Books. https://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/KapfererEgalitarian
  • Angela Hobart and Bruce Kapferer, eds.. (2005). "Where Divine Horsemen Ride: Trance Dancing in West Africa." In Angela Hobart and Bruce Kapferer, eds., Aesthetics in Performance: Formations of Symbolic Construction and Experience..
  • Daniel Avorgebdor, ed.. (2003). "The Disease of the Prophets: The Musical Construction of Clinical Reality." In Daniel Avorgebdor, ed., The Interrelatedness of Music, Religion, and Ritual in African Performance Practice..
  • Penelope Gouk, ed.. (2000). "Dancing the Disease: Music and Trance in Tumbuka Healing." In Penelope Gouk, ed., Music and Healing in Cultural Contexts ..

    • Book Review

  • Kofi Agawu. (2001). African Rhythm: A Northern Ewe Perspective.
  • Marina Carol Laderman and Marina Roseman, eds.. (1997). The Performance of Healing.
  • Corinne A. Kratz. (1995). Affecting Performance: Meaning, Movement, and Experience in Okiek Women's Initiation.

    • Interview published in the book series "World Music Pedagogy"

  • Friedson, S.M. (2021). "Teacher Feature" (Interview with Steven Friedson). World Music Pedagogy, Vol. VII: World Music in Higher Education. 7 New York City, New York, Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-World-Music-Pedagogy-Series/book-series/WMP

    • Journal Article

  • Friedson, S.M. (2019). "The Unbearable Weight of Music: The Intermezzo". 35 (5) London, Royal Anthropological Institute.
  • Friedson, S.M. (2019). "The Music Box: Songs of Futility in a Time of Torture". Ethnomusicology. 63 (2) Champaign, IL, University of Illinois Press.

    • Video and Audiovisual Material

  • Steven M. Friedson. (1997). "Ingoma Dance of the Ngoni People" The JVC/Smithsonian Folkways Anthology of Music and Dance of Africa, Vol. 3.
  • Steven M. Friedson. (1997). Funeral Gourd Music of the Tumbuka The JVC/Smithsonian Folkways Anthology of Music and Dance of Africa, Vol. 3.
  • Steven M. Friedson. (1997). Malipenga Kazoo Bands The JVC/Smithsonian Folkways Anthology of Music and Dance of Africa, Vol. 3.

Presentations Given

  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), Being Musical, Becoming Ritual, (2014 - 2014).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Panelist), Music, Science, and Society, (2014 - 2014).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), Musical Being, (2014 - 2014).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), Being Musical: Fifty Years in the Sub-Basement, (2013 - 2013).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Moderator), "Talking Drums / Talking Cloth", (2012 - 2012).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Discussant), Lamentations: Mourning and Song in sub-­‐Saharan Funerary Rituals, (2012 - 2012).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "Being Musical: An Ontology of Music and Trance in Africa, (2011 - 2011).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "An Ontology of Musical Being"", (2010 - 2010).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "Dancing Prophets and Divine Horsemen: Musical Experience in African Ritual", (2010 - 2010).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "Crossroads to Cross-rhythms: Being-in-the-World in a Musical Way", (2008 - 2008).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "Ontomusicology: The Study of Musical Being.", (2008 - 2008).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "Dancing Prophets: Musical Experience in Tumbuka Healing", (2007 - 2007).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "The Silent Drum: Music, Ritual, and the Cinematic Pulse", (2005 - 2005).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "When You Die, You Die Forever: Drum Language and Ewe Funerals", (2005 - 2005).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "Being-in-Between: Trance Dancing in West Africa", (2003 - 2003).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "Where Divine Horsemen Ride: The Rhythm of the Crossroads", (2003 - 2003).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Other), "The Poured Gift: Sacrifice and Libation in West Africa.", (2001 - 2001).

    • Invited Talk

  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Yale Program in Medicine, Spirituality, and Religion Colloquium, African Healing and the Arts, Yale, Yale, New Haven, CT, United States of America. (2022).
  • Friedson, S. (Author & Presenter), "Being Musical in a University Core Curriculum", Shanghai Normal University, China. (2018).
  • Friedson, S. (Author & Presenter), Music and Trance in Africa, Shanghai Conservatory, Shanghai, China, China. (2018).
  • Friedson, S. (Author & Presenter), "Being Musical in a University Core Curriculum", Xi'an Conservatory, Xi'an, China, China. (2018).
  • Friedson, S. (Author & Presenter), Music and Islam in a West African Shrine, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China, China. (2018).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Dancing Prophets: The Musical Construction of Clinical Reality, Central China Conservatory, Beijing, China, China. (2018).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Dancing Prophets: The Musical Construction of Clinical Reality, Xianghai Conservatory of Music, Guangzhou, China, China. (2018).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), “Being-Musical in a University Core Curriculum”, Xianghai Conservatory of Music, Guangzhou, China, China. (2018).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Honors College, "Prophet Healers of Northern Malawi", University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America. (2016 - 2016).

    • Keynote/Plenary Address

  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Black Sacred Arts: Ritual Transformations of Consciousness, The Drum and the AR-15, Institute for Sacred Music, Yale, New Haven, Conn., United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Friedson, S. (Author & Presenter), The Ritual Process: An Anthropology of New Beginnings, “The Unbearable Weight of Music: The Intermezzo”, European Research Council, London, England, United Kingdom. (2018 - 2018).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Society for Ethnomusicology Annual Meeting, "Musical Others: Being-Musical in a World Music Course", Education Section, Denver, CO, United States of America. (2017 - 2017).

    • Lecture

  • Friedson, S.M., University of Oklahoma, Honors College, Dancing Prophets Revisted, (2015 - 2015).

    • Other

  • Friedson, S. (Moderator), The Ritual Process: An Anthropology of New Beginnings, "Ritual, Liminality and Communitas, a Genesis", European Research Council, London, England, United Kingdom. (2018 - 2018).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Panelist), American Anthropological Association, Sacred Sound and Musical Religious Ontologies, Music and Sound Interest Group, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (2017 - 2017).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Music, Media, and Place, series of lectures, MMaP, Memorial University, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. (2017 - 2017).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Author & Presenter), Robert M Trotter Visiting Distinguished Professor, Lectures, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America. (2017 - 2017).

    • Professional Meeting Contribution

  • Friedson, S.M. (Chair), Society for Ethnomusicology Southern Plains Chapter Regional Conference, Musical Practice and Embodiment, Society for Ethnomusicology Southern Plains Chapter, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).

Artistic and Professional Performances and Exhibits

  • Other. "Cloth Talks: Textiles from West Africa", UNT on the Square, (2012 - 2012).

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

    Grant - Research

  • Friedson, S.M. (Principal), "Center for Sacred Music, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana," sponsored by UNT Faculty Success, State, $2000 Funded. (2023 - 2023).
  • Friedson, S.M., "The Weaponization of Music," sponsored by College of Music, University of North Texas, $53898 Funded. (2021 - 2021).
  • Friedson, S.M., Mei, Y. (Supporting), "Chinese Traditional Music Initiative," sponsored by China Venture Fund, University of North Texas, $6018 Funded. (2018 - 2018).
  • Friedson, S.M. (Principal), "Being Musical: Studies in Ontomusicology," sponsored by Faculty Development Leave, University of North Texas, Funded. (2013 - 2013).

Service

University Service

  • Member, Graduate Academic Degrees Committee. (August 2022 - Present).
  • Other (Faculty Advisor: Coordinator Ethnomusicology Area), Chinese Music Ensemble. (January 15, 2016 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee: Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology. (2022 - 2025).
  • Committee Member, RPTC/PAC. (August 2022 - June 2025).
  • Committee Member, RPTC/PAC. (2022 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee: Assistant Professor in Ethnomusicology. (2022 - 2023).
  • Faculty Advisor, Student Society for Ethnomusicology at North Texas. (2022 - 2023).
  • Committee Member, University Distinguished Research Professor Committee. (August 2017 - September 2023).
  • Committee Member, Nketia Book Prize: African Music Section (Soceity for Ethnomusicology). (2022 - 2022).
  • Faculty Advisor, Student Society for Ethnomusicology at UNT. (2016 - 2021).
  • Program Coordinator, Ethnomusicology Area. (August 1992 - August 2021).
  • Committee Member, Ad Hoc Committee for the Revision of the Division Mission and Vision Statement. (October 16, 2019 - 2019).
  • Chairperson, RPTC, Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology. (2014 - 2017).
  • Committee Member, University Distinguished Research Professor Committee. (2012 - 2015).
  • Committee Member, Global Affairs Committee. (2011 - 2013).
  • Committee Member, Lecture Committee: Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology. (2009 - 2013).
  • Committee Member, Kwabena Nketia Book Prize Committee. (2012 - 2012).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee: Ethnomusicology; Visiting Assistant Professor. (2012 - 2012).
  • Other, Search Committee: Music History; Assistant Professor. (2012 - 2012).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee: Music History; Full Professor. (2012 - 2012).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee: South Asian Media, Culture, and the Arts; Director. (2012 - 2012).
  • Committee Member, Nketia Book Prize: African Music Section (Society for Ethnomusicology). (2011 - 2012).
  • Committee Member, Alan Merriam Prize for Most Distinguished Book in Ethnomusicology Committee. (2011 - 2011).
  • Other (Member), Academic Integrity Consultant Pool, Provost's Council. (2009 - 2010).
  • Other (Provost appointee), Distinguish Research Professor Selection and Review Committee. (2009 - 2010).
  • Committee Member, International Education Committee. (2008 - 2009).
  • Committee Member, Charn Uswachoke International Development Fund Committee. (2007 - 2009).
  • Other (Member), University Advocacy Group for University Core Requirements. (2006 - 2007).
  • Other (Invited member), UNT internal review of all Ph. D. programs. (2006 - 2007).
  • Committee Member, Committee on Faculty Participation in Governance. (2000 - 2001).
  • Committee Member, Faculty Development Leave Committee. (2000 - 2001).
  • Other (Member), Hopwood Task Force on Affirmative Action. (2000 - 2001).
  • Committee Member, University Review Committee. (2000 - 2001).
  • Committee Chair, Academic Affairs Committee. (1997 - 2000).
  • Other (Senator), Faculty Senate. (1992 - 1997).
  • Committee Member, University Curriculum Committee. (1990 - 1996).

Professional Service

  • Reviewer, Book, University of Chicago Press. Chicago, Illinois. (November 2023 - Present).
  • Member, Canadian Council of Chairs. Canada. (May 2016 - Present).
  • Board of Advisors, Institute for Sacred Music. New Haven, Connecticut. (August 2020 - August 2025).
  • Other (Program Committee), Institute for Sacred Music, Yale University. New Haven, Connecticut. (July 2023 - May 2025).
  • Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Ethnomusicology Forum. (August 2024 - August 2024).
  • Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Canadian Council of Chairs. (2022 - 2023).
  • External T&P Letter Writer, New York University, Abu Dhabi. (2022 - 2022).
  • Committee Member, Society for Ethnomusicology /African and African Diasporic Music. (May 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022).
  • Board of Directors, Institute for Sacred Music, Yale University. New Haven,, Connecticut. (May 16, 2022 - May 18, 2022).
  • Chairperson, Institute for Sacred Music: Africana Sacred Healing Arts. New Haven, Connecticut. (May 17, 2022 - May 17, 2022).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Society for Ethnomusicology Journal. (August 15, 2015 - October 2021).
  • Editorial Review Board Member, African Music Journal. (August 15, 2012 - August 2020).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, Ethnologia Polona. (November 05, 2019 - December 05, 2019).
  • Committee Member, Jaap Kunst Prize (Society for Ethnomusicology). (January 2017 - January 2018).
  • External T&P Letter Writer, Eastman School of Music. Rochester, New York. (August 15, 2017 - December 15, 2017).
  • Other (external reviewer for promotion to full professor), Indiana University. Bloomington, Indiana. (March 2017 - August 2017).

Consulting

  • Academic, Shanghai Conservatory, Shanghai, PRC, China. (January 1, 2020).
  • Academic, Yale Institute for Sacred Music, Yale University, United States of America. (October 1, 2020 - May 1, 2025).
  • Academic, Yale Institute for Sacred Music, Yale, United States of America. (September 1, 2021 - May 18, 2022).