The Institute of Musicology

Dissertationsprojekt von Stephen Ferron
Mini CV
Since 2019 Doctoral candidate at the Institute of Musicology at the University of Bern with a research focus on how changes in the recording industry have affected the roles of session musicians, particularly in Nashville, whose recording scene has long served as a bellwether for those in other cities. 
2017 Master of Studies in Creative Writing, University of Cambridge (UK) 
Since 2015 Copywriter and journalist
2014 Master of Arts in World Music Studies, University of Sheffield
Dissertation: "The Emergence of Americana Music in the United Kingdom"  
2008-2015 OMEGA SA Copywriter and strategic planner for this Swiss watch brand 
2003 Master of Arts in Mass Communications, University of Leicester
"The Production and Mediation of Alternative Country Music" 
Since 1976 Musician, arranger and producer: guitarist, bassist, and harmony vocalist ("sideman") with artists in North America and Europe. Performed throught North America, Asia and Europe, primarily in the country and acoustic music. Produced numerous recording sessions for albums, TV and radio soundtracks and commercials. 
  • The art of record production
  • The recording industry (especially revenue streams and the effects of changing technology)
  • Popular culture
  • The cultural anthropology of music
  • “Road Map”, feature article about bluegrass and country-rock pioneer Rodney Dillard, in RnR Magazine (UK), issue 78, November/December 2019

  • “Natural Acoustics”, feature article about Americana music legend John McEuen, in RnR Magazine (UK), issue 72, November/December 2018.

 

Courses taught or scheduled, all at the University of Cambridge (UK), Institute of Continuing Education:

  • Changing times I: the songs of Bob Dylan
  • Changing times II: the songs of Leonard Cohen
  • Are Strawberry Fields Forever? Assessing the Beatles as a creative phenomenon