The Ethnomusicology Student Association (ESA) exists to serve the interests of students, both graduate and undergraduate, in the Ethnomusicology Program at the University of Washington. While anyone may attend ESA meetings and events, only current UW Ethnomusicology students may vote or hold office. The ESA promotes interaction with other university departments, including Anthropology, as well as other ethnomusicology programs throughout the Northwest and beyond.
The ESA holds meetings roughly every month in the Alice B. Toklas Ethnomusicology Annex, immediately across from the departmental office. At these meetings, ideas and current issues are discussed; and departmental concerns are often relayed back to the faculty via the ESA's representative to faculty meetings. In this way the ESA acts as one of the main forums for Ethnomusicology students to share their perspectives and maintain dialogue with the Ethnomusicology faculty.
The ESA also organizes several events and gatherings during the academic year. Past years have seen practice sessions for students presenting at upcoming conferences, panels on issues such as publishing and ethics, and an "Occasional Film Series" showcasing contemporary and classic films on anthropology and music. One of the ESA's main yearly events is the Ethnomusicology Students Concert, held in Brechemin Auditorium in the UW School of Music toward the end of Spring Quarter. This concert is a chance to show off the varied musical talents of Ethnomusicology's student body, often resulting from their studies with the Artists in Residence in Ethnomusicology.
The ESA is happy to answer questions. Please contact us at esa@u.washington.edu.