AHRC-funded Project ‘The Production and Reading of Music Sources, 1480–1530 (PRoMS)’
Applications are invited for a research assistantship, as part of a major research project funded by the AHRC. The post is available immediately and tenable for a fixed term of 10 months.
The Project
Funded by the AHRC since December 2010, the project ‘The Production and Reading of Music Sources, 1480–1530 (PRoMS)’ conducts the first systematic study of the mise-en-page of Renaissance sources of polyphonic music (http://www.proms.ac.uk). In this period, polyphonic music had spread across the whole of Europe and had achieved its fullest variety in terms of source and repertoire types. The project examines how the verbal text, musical notation and other visual devices interact on the pages of these manuscripts and printed books, and it explores the ways in which meaning is constructed through such interactions by their makers (music scribes, text scribes, illuminators, printers) and users; it also transfers the results of the investigation to present-day performances. This is achieved by expanding and combining approaches developed for the study of illuminated manuscripts, music manuscripts and printed books, with new directions in digital technology, and by collaborating with performers.
The project employs two Research Assistants, who work on the manuscript sources, as well as a PhD student who works on the printed sources. The material is analysed and presented in two different ways. On the one hand, a database of mise-en-page information is being compiled for all extant sources from this period (c.300 manuscripts and exemplars of c.80 printed editions). On the other, detailed analyses of a select number of sources and overarching thematic questions will be presented both online and in printed form. In the online presentation of the sources, the project also maps correlations between visual and textual elements on selected openings, and establishes cross-references to other sources with similar (or opposing) strategies of visualization. Finally, the project explores with the ensemble Capella Pratensis how an understanding of the mise-en-page informs how the music is sung and heard. The performances and a combined CD/DVD release will include multimedia projections of the sources to convey this to the audience, providing a guide through the various visual layers.
The project is a collaboration between the University of Manchester, the Warburg Institute, Bangor University, the University of York, the Alamire Foundation (Leuven/Belgium), and the Department of Digital Humanities (DDH) at King’s College London; it is led by Professor Thomas Schmidt (Manchester).
The Post
The project employs two Research Assistants, one in musicology based in Manchester, the other in art history based at the Warburg Institute, as well as a funded PhD student based in Manchester. The post advertised here is that of the art historian, and constitutes a replacement for the remaining funded period of the post.
Most of the work is carried out on the basis of digital images within an online database environment, with input shared along disciplinary lines where appropriate. In addition, each of the Research Assistants has main responsibility for a number of individual sources, but also retains responsibility for aspects of his/her discipline.
Duties will include:
1. Providing descriptions of the physical makeup and layout in manuscript sources of polyphonic music between c. 1480 and 1530 within an online database environment, and interacting with the Department of Digital Humanities to assist in further developing this environment
2. Providing comprehensive descriptions of the initials, borders, and other visual devices present in these sources
3. Researching and preparing detailed analytical studies of two individual sources (one book of secular polyphonic song from Italy, one polyphonic chansonnier from France) for print publication; adapting these and existing case studies to the online environment
4. Participating in the editing of project publications
5. Providing support for the project team
Essential appointment criteria:
1. Doctorate or equivalent qualification in art history, with specialist knowledge of art of the 15th and 16th centuries, specifically of manuscript illumination
2. Expertise in codicology and paleography
3. Willingness to engage actively in the development and preparation of the database and online resource.
4. Ability and willingness to work in a team of scholars
Desirable appointment criteria:
1. An interest in music of the period and knowledge of musical notation
2. Experience in developing databases and online resources
3. Experience in editing
4. Ability to engage with theoretical aspects of material culture of the late medieval/early modern period
Conditions of Appointment
The appointment will be to Level 7 (Research), currently £29,541–36,298 p.a. plus London Allowance of £2,134 p.a., making a total of £31,675–38,432 p.a.
The normal work week will be 35 hours.
The appointment is terminable by one month’s notice in writing on either side
The salary will be paid monthly in arrears no later than the last day of each month by bank transfer and will be liable to deductions at source for tax and National Insurance. Deductions for National Insurance contributions will be made at the statutory contracted-out rate.
The person appointed will be deemed automatically to be a member of the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme (USS) and will have contributions deducted accordingly. Once full information on the Scheme has been received, the individual may elect in writing to withdraw from the Scheme.
The annual leave entitlement is six weeks (25 days pro rata) in addition to public holidays and Warburg Institute closures, approximately one week at Easter and at Christmas.
The appointment will be subject to the terms and conditions for administration, management and professional staff of the University of London.
The University is an Equal Opportunities employer.
Method of Application
There is no application form. Candidates should submit with their letter of application a full curriculum vitae giving contact information (including e-mail address), details of qualifications, previous experience, current salary (if any) and the names, addresses and e-mail addresses of two referees (present/previous employers or academic references). Applicants are asked to send with their application the Equal Opportunities form which can be downloaded from the Institute’s website under Vacancies (http://warburg.sas.ac.uk/). Applications must be sent by e-mail to the Institute Manager, Ms Catherine Charlton at catherine.charlton(at)sas.ac.uk .
Applicants are also asked to download an Equal Opportunities form from the link above, which they should complete and send in along with their application.
The Institute will contact, by e-mail, the referees of candidates who are shortlisted for interview. Any candidate who is aware that his/her referees will not be contactable between 28 June and 9 July should arrange for his/her referees to send references direct to the Institute Manager, Ms Catherine Charlton at catherine.charlton(at)sas.ac.uk without waiting for information regarding shortlisting.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 30 June 2013.
Interviews will be held at the Institute on Monday, 15 July 2013.
Source de l’information : The Warburg Institute
L'Agenda des Médiévistes 