Home: Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research (Sempre)
STOP PRESS:
In addition to our two journals, Psychology of Music and Research Studies in Music Education, SEMPRE has signed an agreement with Ashgate to promote the latest research to a wider audience on popular topical themes under the heading SEMPRE Studies in the Psychology of Music, the first such series of its type internationally. The theme for the series is the psychology of music, broadly defined. Topics include:
- musical development at different ages;
- exceptional musical development in the context of special educational needs;
- musical cognition and context;
- culture, mind and music;
- micro to macro perspectives on the impact of music on the individual (such as from neurological studies through to social psychology);
- the development of advanced performance skills;
- affective perspectives on musical learning.
The series is intended to present the implications of research findings for a wide readership, including user-groups (music teachers, policy makers, parents), as well as the international academic and research communities. The distinguishing features of the series will be this broad focus (drawing on basic and applied research from across the globe) under the umbrella of SEMPRE's distinctive mission, which is to promote and ensure coherent and symbiotic links between education, music and psychology research. The first book in the series is by Professor Johannella Tafuri of the Conservatorio di Musica "G.B. Martini" di Bologna, Italy, titled 'Infant Musicality' (Ashgate Publishing Group, February 2009).
The series editors (Welch, Ockelford and Cross) welcome further proposals for publication. Please contact one of the series editors or Ashgate if you have a proposal that might fit with the aims of the new series.
Information and guidelines for proposal submissions are available on Ashgate's Website.
Background and aims of the Society
The Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research (Sempre) was founded in 1972, growing out of the Reading Conferences on Research in Music Education that were started in 1966 by Arnold Bentley. Originally known as the 'Society for Research in Psychology of Music and Music Education' ('SRPMME'), Sempre remains to this day the only society which embraces research in both music education and music psychology, providing an international forum to encourage the exchange of ideas and to disseminate research findings.
The Society is particularly keen to encourage the participation of those at the start of their research career and to maintain a broad membership that reflects the considerable range of interests that are represented within music education and the psychology of music. Membership includes free copies of the journal, reduced fees for attendance at conferences, and entitlement to apply for a range of financial awards that are intended to foster new research and assist the work of new researchers.
Activities
Sempre is engaged in four main areas of activity:
- Since 1973 it has published the journal 'Psychology of Music' (ISSN 0305-7356), originally biannually, but from 2003 four times a year through SAGE Publications. The journal aims to increase the scientific understanding of all psychological aspects of music and music education, including studies on listening, performing, creating, memorizing, analysing, learning and teaching, as well as applied social, developmental, attitudinal and therapeutic studies. From 2008, Psychology of Music has been accepted for coverage in the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI), the Journal Citation Reports - Social Sciences Edition (the journal's first Impact Factor is expected to be published in the 2011 JCR), the Arts & Humanities Citation Index, CC/A&H (Current Contents/Arts & Humanities) and CC/S&BS (Current Contents/Social & Behavioural Sciences).
- In 2007, the Society acquired the internationally peer-reviewed journal Research Studies in Music Education. The journal promotes the dissemination and discussion of high quality research in music and music education and encourages the interrogation and development of a range of research methodologies and their application to diverse topics in music education theory and practice. From 2008, both Research Studies in Music Education and Psychology of Music have been published by SAGE, each with their own title and ISSN.
- The Society hosts two conferences a year, including a two-day international conference at Easter time on alternate years, which attracts a wide range of speakers and poster presenters.
- Sempre runs the moderated email discussion list Psymus, which encourages discussion on any matters relating to research in music psychology or music education. The list is open to anyone interested in reading or contributing to the discussion; subscription is free and is not restricted to Sempre members.
- From 2004, Sempre has also granted a number of awards to members.
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