John Howell

John Howell

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media Profile

“Song literature can convey a culture’s ideas, passions, and politics, and therefore becomes a historical and sociological source for insight into that culture. In the field of English song literature, there is an informational gap between Australia and other English-speaking nations. In an increasingly globalized environment, music can serve as a bridge between unfamiliar cultures and strengthen the ties that promote a shared understanding of respective history and traditions.”

John Howell is one of twenty Americans to be granted a Fulbright Postgraduate Award in 2005. He will study classical song literature at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian Musical Centre.

John is a doctoral student in the School of Music at Indiana University, majoring in vocal literature and performance with additional studies in college music education. He has earned a Master’s Degree in Music from Indiana University and, while there, built a strong background in art song performance through music festivals, concerts, and recitals. He has worked with notable performers and art song specialists including Alan Bennett, Håkan Hagegård, Mary Ann Hart, and the late Leonard Hokanson.

“Australia’s contribution to the Western art song has thus far been unmeasured. Presently, there are approximately 1500 Australian solo vocal works at the Australian Music Centre, many of which are unpublished and cannot be accessed outside of Australia,” John stated.

John’s aim is to compile an annotated bibliography and catalogue of Australian composers and their works as they relate to the Western classical tradition. The compendium will highlight musical style, text, vocal range, accompanying instrumentation and composer background. It will also examine stylistic periods of post-colonial Australia and explore possible stylistic influences such as popular ‘musics’ as well as native traditions. This resource will provide both music educators and performers with an easily accessible resource for Australian song.

“It is my hope that the compendium will facilitate future socio-cultural examination and ethno-musicological research and also provide an invaluable resource for singers and educators to perform or study Australian song literature.”