Victor Kofi Agawu(born 28 September 1956) is a Ghanaianmusicologistandmusic theorist.[1]He often publishes asV. Kofi Agawuand specializes in musicalsemioticsandethnomusicology.He is a Distinguished Professor at theGraduate Center, CUNY.[2]
Professor Kofi Agawu | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 28, 1956 Ghana |
| Occupation | Professor of Music |
| Title | Distinguished Professor |
| Awards | Guggenheim Fellowship, the Dent Medal, the Frank Llewellyn Harrison Medal, the Howard T. Behrman Award from Princeton University, and honorary degrees from Stellenbosch University (2017) and Bard College (2019) |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Musicologist and music theorist |
| Institutions | Graduate Center, CUNY |
| Main interests | Music analysis, musical semiotics, African music, postcolonial theory |
| Notable works | The African Imagination in Music (2016), Music as Discourse: Semiotic Adventures in Romantic Music (2009), Representing African Music: Postcolonial Notes, Queries, Positions (2003), African Rhythm: A Northern Ewe Perspective (1995), Playing with Signs: A Semiotic Interpretation of Classic Music (1991) |
Education
editVictor Kofi Agawu was born on 28 September 1956 inHohoe,theVolta RegionofGhana.[1][3]Agawu attendedPresbyterian Boys' Secondary School at Legon (PRESEC)where he obtained his GCE Ordinary Level Certificate and went on to do this Advanced Level atAchimota School.He earned a bachelor's degree in music from theUniversity of Readingin the United Kingdom in 1977, a master's degree in musical analysis fromKing's College Londonin 1978, and a Ph.D. in historical musicology fromStanford Universityin 1982.[4]He is also certified by theRoyal Academy of Musicin the teaching of singing and by theRoyal College of Musicin musicianship and theory.
Career
editAgawu has taught atPrinceton University,Yale University,Cornell University,King's College London,Duke University,Haverford College,and theUniversity of Oxford.[5]In 2006, he was appointed professor of music and African and African-American studies inHarvard University'sFaculty of Arts and Sciences.[6]He returned to Princeton several years later and then taught at theGraduate Center, CUNYas a visiting professor, returning there in January 2019 as a Professor of Music and rising to Distinguished Professor status in July 2019.[7]His awards include theDent Medalin 1992, awarded by theRoyal Musical AssociationandInternational Musicological Societyfor "outstanding contribution to musicology." Agawu has written more than 75 peer-reviewed journal articles and given over 100 keynote addresses and invited lectures.[8]
In 2009, he was awarded the IRC Harrison Medal of theSociety for Musicology in Ireland.[9]
Publications
editAgawu's first and most widely cited book isPlaying with signs: a semiotic interpretation of classical music(1991), which won the emerging scholar award from the Society for Music Theory. His next monograph wasAfrican Rhythm, A Northern Ewe Perspective(1995),which deals with the relationship and interference of theEwe languageand their music in everyday lives revealing a greater horizon for African rhythmic expression. More recent books includeThe African Imagination in Music(2016),Music as Discourse: Semiotic Adventures in Romantic Music(2009), andRepresenting African Music: Postcolonial Notes, Queries, Positions(2003).
References
edit- ^abMorgan, Paula (2001)."Agawu, V(ictor) Kofi".Grove Music Online.Oxford:Oxford University Press.doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.46957.ISBN978-1-56159-263-0.Retrieved2 December2021.(subscription orUK public library membershiprequired)
- ^"Kofi Agawu".gc.cuny.edu.Retrieved5 December2019.
- ^Paul W. Schauert,Representing Ghanaian Music: A Critical History(Indiana University, 2005), p. 160.
- ^University, Princeton."Display Person - The Department of Music at Princeton University - Display Person".princeton.edu.Retrieved22 July2016.
- ^Agawu, Kofi (2013)."George Eastman Visiting Professorship"(PDF).Oxford Musician.No. 3. p. 8.Retrieved4 December2019.
- ^Brodt, Steve (20 April 2006)."V. Kovi Agawu, musical scholar, appointed professor".Harvard Gazette.
- ^"GC Welcomes Visiting Professors Khalil Muhammad and V. Kofi Agawu".gc.cuny.edu.Retrieved5 December2019.
- ^"THE GRADUATE SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY CENTER APPOINTMENT OF V. KOFI AGAWU AS DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR"(PDF).BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK - BOARD COMMITTEE ON FACULTY, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION - AGENDA, June 3, 2019.June 2019.Retrieved4 December2019.
- ^"Irish Research Council - Harrison Medal | Society for Musicology in Ireland".musicologyireland.Retrieved14 April2020.