My first encounter with ISME

I first learnt of ISME in 2008 when I attended a conference in as a sponsored delegate. This is actually where I met Professor Caroline Van Niekerk of the University of Pretoria Music Department by then. I got an opportunity to indulge in a discussion of a possibility of enrolling for my doctoral studies with the University of Pretoria. I got positive and motivating advices from Caroline and ended up enrolling with the University of Pretoria where I finally read for my doctorate with Caroline as my supervisor and graduated in 2003.

Personal statement and the envisioned contribution to ISME.

I have been an ISME member since 2008 to date. Through this involvement, I gathered a wealth of experience by attending conferences and interacting with international scholars from all over the world. It is my belief that the experience I have gathered is wealthy enough to be shared with colleagues through the membership of ISME board. The experiences I bring with me include among others; Music programmes constructing, External Examining of Post Graduate students at Masters and Doctoral levels respectively, Research and Publications. I am experienced in the implementation of the Internationalization and partnerships Policy which I have been involved in at my university from 2007 to date. This policy is meant to establish reciprocated Exchange programmes with other universities. I am a renowned choir conductor for both school and community choirs who has worn trophies and awards nationally and regionally. I am also an experience adjudicator nationally and regionally. I am in the process of forming a Music Society in to bring music educators together to affiliate with ISME. This is meant for the growth of Music where music is still marginalized. I am also a specialist in community music research (going into the community, negotiating with knowledgeable elders/cultural custodians for ethnomusicology data collection.

Professional Qualifications

a) I obtained a doctorate in Music at the University of Pretoria in 2003 Doctor of Music Degree (DMus) – University of Pretoria, RSA. b) 1999 Certificate in Computer Literacy – University of Pretoria (Uni - School), RSA. c) 1991 Master of Arts in Music Education (MA Mus Ed) – University of Reading, U K. d) 1989 Post Graduate Diploma in Music Education – University of Reading, UK. e) 1987 Bachelor of Education (Primary) – Maths and Science - University of Botswana. f) 1980 Primary Teachers Certificate (With music as one of my Major subjects) – Teachers Training College, Botswana

Personal Achievements in Music Education

- I am the first and the only Professor of Music In my country (Botswana) - I just completed designing a Music Education Degree (Bachelor of Music Education – BME) programme which will have its first intake in August 2020. This programme is the first Music Degree of its kind in Botswana. - Choir Conductor School and Community Choirs – Church and Crime Prevention choirs, Adjudicator, Music Educator (Teaching Ethnomusicology, Music Education and Educational Research). - I am currently broadcasting Music Education programmes in the Botswana National television. - I Initiated an MOU between the University of Botswana and the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland) & coordinator of the North –South – South (NSS) Music Partnership with the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland) at the University of Botswana. I organised an (NSS) Intensive Programme/Conference at the University of Botswana which took place from the 28 – 02 – 2010 to 07 – 03 – 2010.

Partner Universities present were:

• University of South Africa (RSA) • University of Pretoria (RSA) • () • North West University (RSA) • University of Jyvaskyla (Finland)

- I Initiated an MOU between the University of Botswana and Chaoyang University of Technology (Taiwan) which got approved on 26th September 2018. - I have externally examined graduate students at the following Universities: University of Pretoria, University of South Africa, North West University in South Africa and The University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. - I received a 15 year long Service Award as a Music Lecturer at the University of Botswana in 2018. - I was invited at Berklee College of Music in the United States of America Boston - Massachusetts as a visiting Scholar for 2 weeks in November – December 2018.

International Society of Music Education (ISME) Conferences Attended for Presentations.

a) Phibion. O. S. The Basarwa of Botswana Melon Dance. Presented at the 33rd International Society of Music (ISME) Conference in Baku (Azerbaijan) 15 – 20th July 2018. b) Phibion. O. S. & Rabatoko. F. Revitalising Traditional Performance of the Kudu Horn by the Bakwena of Botswana. Presented at the 32nd International Society of Music (ISME) Conference in Glasgow (Scotland) 24 – 29 July 2016. c) Phibion O. S. Tsutsube music as practiced by the Basarwa (San) of Botswana. Presented at the 31st International Society of Music Education (ISME) Conference held in Porto Alegre, PUCRS (Brazil) 21st – 25th July 2014. d) Phibion. O. S. The Significance of Mmino wa Dinaka Among the Bangwaketse of Botswana. Presented at the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Conference held in Thessaloniki (Greece) 15 – 20th July 2012. e) Phibion. O. S. Music learning and Practices through aural transmission among the Batlokwa and Balete of Botswana. Presented at the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Conference held in Beijing (China) 1 – 6th August 2010. f) Phibion, O. S. How young Children’s games enhance their music Learning Skills in Botswana primary schools. Presented at the International Society of Music Education (ISME) Conference held in Bologna (Italy) July 21 – 25th 2008. g) Phibion. O.S. Attended an International Society of Music Education (ISME) Conference in Pretoria South Africa as a Sponsored Delegate 19 – 25th July 1998. Publications

I currently have 17 published research articles and 1 music textbook used in Botswana secondary schools. My Publications are in three subjects namely: Ethnomusicology, Music Education and Music with Special Education. All these publications emanated from my ISME conference presentations.