Jonathon Smith

Bio

Jonathon Smith holds a BA in music performance (organ) from Lander University, SC (2006) and an MM in musicology from the University of Tennessee (2009). His dissertation explores the shifting spaces of Sacred Harp singing with particular focus on imagined and real ruralness, Celticism, race, and sexual identities. He has given research presentations for the Society for American Music, the Society for Ethnomusicology annual meeting, the International Council for Traditional Music, and the Southern American Studies Association, among others. Other research and performance interests include bells and acoustemology, Irish traditional music, the broader Celtic phenomenon, and French classical organ music. Jonathon was University carillonneur for Lander University and the first graduate student Chimesmaster for the University of Illinois’ Altgeld Chimes organization after major renovations in 2016. He is an avid photographer and Sacred Harp singer and frequently travels throughout the U.S. and Europe for singings.