About the Survey: This survey is conducted by the kanun player, improviser and composer Sofia Labropoulou within the research project “Reverse Ethnomusicology. Migrant Musicians as Researchers” (2023–2025), funded by the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF), Grant-DOI 10.55776/TAI724. The research project is a cooperation of the Music and Minorities Research Center at the mdw – University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and the Phonogrammarchiv of the Academy of Sciences.
Personal Data: All personal data will be stored securely on the server of mdw – University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna. No third parties will have access to the data.
Collaboration Partners: In creating this questionnaire, Sofia Labropoulou worked in close collaboration with mica – music austria, IG World Music Austria and IGFM – IG Freie Musikschaffende.
Language: English (open-ended questions may be answered in any language)
Survey duration: Around 20 – 25 minutes
Musicians are invited to participate in a survey that explores the professional landscape, economic situation, and demographic characteristics of professional music creators in Austria.
This survey focuses on those who are:
- Actively involved in the World, Global, Folk, Ethnic, or Diaspora music genres,
- Engaged in cross-cultural or genre-blending projects that intersect with the musical traditions included in these genres or
- Connected to these genres in any way—whether through public perception, professional collaborations, specific projects or other circumstances that align their work with these musical styles.
Focus of the survey
This survey examines the roles, challenges, and identities of musicians who shape and sustain these diverse musical genres. Specifically, it aims to gather insights on:
- Musical Identity and Practice: Instruments played, musical styles, and education/training backgrounds.
- Professional Conditions and Standards: Understanding working conditions, income sources, and financial situations.
- Terminology Relevance: Evaluating the impact and relevance of terms such as “World Music,” “Global Music,” “Folk Music,” “Ethnic Music” and “Diaspora Music” in Austria.
Why Your Input Matters
Your responses will be instrumental in creating a detailed overview of the current music professionals in this broad field, identifying their needs and challenges. This input will also help inform advocacy for enhanced resources and opportunities in the music community.
Who Can Participate
This survey welcomes musicians who meet the following criteria:
- Based and Professionally Active in Austria: Whether full-time or part-time, recognized by peers and audiences as skilled in their musical style, regardless of their origin or primary language.
- Training and Expertise: Have formal or informal training in academic and/or oral traditions and actively participate in the music scene in a way that meets professional standards.
- Musical Focus: Involved in World, Global, Folk, Ethnic, Oral European (folk) or Extra-European (classical or folk) music traditions, as well as crossover genres such as Jazz, Western Classical, Contemporary, Improvised or Experimental music.
Survey Sections Include
- Musical Identity and Education
- Performance and Mobility
- Finances and Payment
- Information, Support, and Opportunities
- Media and Publicity
- World/Global/Folk/Ethnic/Diaspora Terminology
- Collecting Societies
- Demographics
- Contact
Important: For the best experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer. If you are using a smartphone or tablet to complete the survey, please use it in horizontal (landscape) orientation for optimal viewing.