Review of the 48th World Conference of the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance

Abstract

The International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD) is a global scholarly organization dedicated to the study, documentation, and promotion of music and dance traditions worldwide. Originally founded in 1947 as the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM), it was renamed in 2023 to reflect its commitment to both music and dance research. ICTMD fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among ethnomusicologists, dance scholars, and practitioners through conferences, study groups, and publications, supporting the study, practice, documentation, preservation, and dissemination of diverse music and dance traditions across cultures. The 48th ICTMD World Conference was held in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, from 9 to 15 January 2025, bringing together scholars, performers, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds to explore global perspectives on music and dance. Notably, this marked the first time the ICTMD World Conference was hosted in New Zealand. Organized by Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington, and Te Kōkī, the New Zealand School of Music, the conference aimed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, showcase new research, and strengthen connections between academia and performing arts communities.