Neil R. Coulter
Degrees
- Ph.D., Musicology-Ethnomusicology, Kent State University, 2007
- M.A., Ethnomusicology, Kent State University, 2000
- M.M., Saxophone Performance, Kent State University, 2000
- B.M., Music with elective studies in English Literature, Wheaton College, 1997
Current positions
- Ethnomusicology & Arts Coordinator, SIL Pacific Area (2009–)
- International Ethnomusicology Consultant, SIL International (2008–)
- Ethnomusicology & Arts Coordinator, SIL Papua New Guinea (2007–)
Other experience
- Instructor: Music and Arts Analysis Techniques, Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2009
- Instructor: Applied Ethnomusicology, GIAL, Dallas, Texas, 2006
- Instructor: Field of Ethnomusicology and the Anthropology of Music, GIAL, Dallas, Texas, 2002
- Graduate teaching assistant: Music as a World Phenomenon, Kent State University, 1997 – 2001
Memberships
- Society for Ethnomusicology
- International Council for Traditional Music
- Pacific Arts Association
Language proficiency
- Tok Pisin
- Alamblak
- German
- English
Research interests
- Music shift
- Language endangerment/death
- Applied ethnomusicology
- Music of Papua New Guinea
- Indigenous Christian hymnody
- Jazz
- Saxophone
Selected publications
Publications in SIL International Bibliography
2010a. “Book Review: The Theory and Practice of Music in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea by Jennifer J. Jones.” Kulele: Occasional Papers on Pacific Music and Dance 4: 172–174.
2010b. “Book Review: Songs from the Second Float: A Musical Ethnography of Takū Atoll, Papua New Guinea by Richard Moyle.” Kulele: Occasional Papers on Pacific Music and Dance 4: 174–177.
2007. Music Shift: Evaluating the Vitality and Viability of Music Styles Among the Alamblak of Papua New Guinea. Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University.
2005. “Signifying Names and Places on the Alamblak Garamut: Some Initial Observations of a Traditional Sign System.” Ethnodoxology 3(2): 15-19.
2003. “Response to ‘Ethnomusicology as Tool for the Christian Missionary.’” European Meetings in Ethnomusicology 10: 98-108. (co-author: Brian Schrag)
Selected papers presented
2010a. “Music Shift: The Changing Musical Balance in an East Sepik Community.” Paper presented at the University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea.
2010b. “The Changing Musical Soundscape: Regarding Music Choice and Revitalization.” Paper presented at the Global Consultation on Music and Missions, Singapore.
2010c. “Reversing Music Shift: A Case Study and a Lot of Questions from Papua New Guinea.” Paper presented at the Humanities of the Lesser Known, University of Lund, Sweden.
2006a. “Last Speaker Ethnography: The Alamblak Garamut as an Example of Fishman’s Stage 8.” Paper presented at the 51st Annual Conference of the Society for Ethnomusicology, Honolulu, Hawaii.
2006b. “Assessing Music Shift: Toward a Conceptual and Methodological Framework for Analysis and Action.” Paper presented at the Global Consultation on Music and Missions, St. Paul, Minnesota.
2001. “Saintin’ the Trane: John Will-I-Am Coltrane’s Journey from Jazz Legend to Religious Icon in San Francisco.” Paper presented at the 46th Annual Conference of the Society for Ethnomusicology, Detroit, Michigan.