Hello!
Dr. Frank Gunderson
is a noted musicology professor at Florida State University (FSU) with previous appointments at schools in Ohio and Michigan. His research and educational focus examine the intersection of music and Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additional interests include African history, Islam, musical labor, veterans’ issues, biographical approaches to music, refugee communities, and documentary films.
About Me
With his time in academia, Dr. Frank Gunderson has amassed a notable selection of publishing credits and audio recordings focused on his passion areas. Many of his larger works chronicle the musical history of East Africa with a particular focus on Tanzania and musicians in that region. He is also well-known for his work with the Society for Ethnomusicology and its academic Journal.
Dr. Frank Gunderson outside academia
While teaching and research have occupied the larger part of Frank Gunderson’s career, he has held other positions that provided unique opportunities to connect with the public and examine sound and music in new ways.
In Olympia, Washington, Gunderson previously served as music director for KAOS radio and worked with the famous northwest outsider musician, Travis Roberts. Roberts and Gunderson are cousins and collaborated on a project that evolved into numerous high-profile indie recordings and became an award-winning film co-directed by Bret Woods. Human Skab was released by SnagFilms in 2012.
This was only his first foray into chronicling the story of music with film. In 2020, his recent film, Ng’oma: The Work of Our Clan, and was distributed by Alexander Street. The work follows a master drum maker in the Sukuma region of western Tanzania and was featured in dozens of film festivals across the world.
Gunderson’s latest release, Beloved Youth of Many Days: Stories about Milmani Park Orchestra, returns to Tanzania and chronicles a popular, well-established rhumba band in Dar Es Salaam.
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Frank Gunderson Portfolio
Recent News
May 25, 2022
Musicology As Means of Studying Music
What is Musicology? According to Dr. Frank Gunderson, musicology is a academic field that studies music, focusing on both traditional and popular forms. It has many branches, including acoustics and the physiology of the ear, aesthetics and mus. education and appreciation, and ethnology, which studies folk music and dances. Other branches of musicology include the […]
May 15, 2022
Dr. Frank Gunderson’s Explanation of the History of American and European Musical Styles After World War II
The American pop music scene had an effect on art music in Europe. In this article, you’ll find out about the German music that the Nazis banned and how Vera Lynn’s songs reflected the world after the war. This article will help you understand how American pop music influenced the way music changed in […]
April 20, 2022
Frank Gunderson Discusses
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Professor of Musicology Frank Gunderson Discusses How Playing Music Improves Cognitive Function Professor of Musicology Frank Gunderson recently discussed how playing music improves cognitive function. by Jennifer Ross April 18, 2022 in Lifestyle 4 min read Home Lifestyle Numerous studies show music’s positive effects on the brain. However, musicology professor Frank Gunderson explained these effects go […]
April 20, 2022
Frank Gunderson FSU
BUSINESSTIMESNOW HOME CATEGORIES CONTACT US Frank Gunderson FSU says that in Tanzania, many cultures have their traditional dances. POSTED BY ADMINPOSTED IN EDUCATIONAPRIL 19, 2022 The Tanzanian people are an ethnic group that lives in Tanzania. Gunderson adds that they have a rich culture and their traditional dances reflect this way of life. Frank Gunderson FSU Table […]