BY LAURA BIEMMI, TRENDS EDITOR
After many long weeks of isolation, Laura is ready to get out of the house and connect with other music researchers in a writing session. The best part? It takes place in the physical world.
Unlike most contributions to music, music research can be an isolated, lonely task. It usually involves sitting down at a computer, headphones in, surrounded by books and scores, with just the occasional email to remind you of the world outside.
It might seem that we music researchers may have been perfectly equipped to deal with working through a pandemic, as if we had been training for this precise moment. Yet COVID-19 was tough, exacerbating the isolated nature of solitary music research. Not only did working from home mean we were no longer in close proximity to our colleagues, but social distancing measures rendered most gatherings — conferences, presentations, study groups — nearly impossible, save for those that could be salvaged through Zoom.
That’s not to mention how difficult it can be working from home, with few opportunities to escape the working/sleeping/eating quarters. I will be taking my lunch break into the bath! There is no guarantee I shall return!
Luckily for those who are in safer areas, most states are in the process of rolling back their distancing guidelines, and gatherings are increasingly permitted. In Western Australia, we have just entered Phase Four of the government’s response to COVID-19, with gathering limits determined by the 2 square metre rule. For music researchers of WA, this means we can convene once more!
As a result, the WA Chapter of the Musicological Society of Australia has decided to hold its Writing Retreat for Postgraduate and Honours Students — previously scheduled for Zoom — in person at the State Library!
The Writing Retreat for Honours and HDR Students in Music Research is aimed at students wanting to get a head start of their thesis commitments in the second semester.
The retreat will involve five hours of gloriously uninterrupted writing time in a collegial setting, with light refreshments (following COVID-19 hygiene regulations, of course!). But what I’m most looking forward to is the opportunity to discuss all things related to music and research with peers.
If you like, you can join us, too.
If you’re wanting a place to work with no distractions, surrounded by others doing the same, at a lovely central location easily reached by public transport, we would love to have you at our writing retreat.
Join Laura Biemmi at Sit Down And Write! — the MSA Writing Retreat for Post Graduate and Honours Students in Music Research. You’ll meet in person (yep, really) from 10am-3pm this 18 July at the Pilbara Room, State Library WA.
It’s free, though you can sign up to MSA for more of its events, if you like. Reach out to Laura at laura.biemmi@research.uwa.edu.au if you’d like to break out of your self-isolation for the day.
Featured image by Sarah Noltner on Unsplash
