Opus

Scope & Guideline

Advancing Knowledge in Musicology

Introduction

Welcome to the Opus information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Opus, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageMulti-Language
ISSN1517-7017
PublisherASSOC NAC PESQUISA & POS-GRADUACAO & MUSICA
Support Open AccessYes
CountryBrazil
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2017 to 2024
AbbreviationOPUS / Opus
Frequency3 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressAVE PAPA PIO XII 199, APTO 72, CAMPINAS SP 13070-091, BRAZIL

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Opus' is dedicated to the exploration and dissemination of research in the field of music, with a particular emphasis on Brazilian music and its cultural contexts. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of music as an art form while examining its social, educational, and historical dimensions.
  1. Ethnomusicology and Cultural Studies:
    The journal emphasizes ethnomusicological research, focusing on the cultural practices, traditions, and identities associated with music in Brazil and beyond.
  2. Music Education and Pedagogy:
    There is a strong focus on music education, exploring pedagogical strategies, curriculum development, and the training of music educators, particularly within Brazilian contexts.
  3. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    'Opus' encourages interdisciplinary research that connects music with other fields such as sociology, psychology, and cultural studies, aiming to broaden the understanding of music's role in society.
  4. Historical and Analytical Perspectives:
    The journal publishes studies that analyze historical trajectories of music, examining composers, genres, and performance practices, particularly in relation to Brazilian music.
  5. Popular and Folk Music Studies:
    Research related to popular and folk music traditions in Brazil is a consistent theme, highlighting their evolution, significance, and cultural implications.
Recent publications in 'Opus' reveal a number of emerging themes that reflect current trends in music research. These themes highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues and the evolving nature of music as a discipline.
  1. Music and Social Justice:
    There is a rising interest in exploring music's role in social justice movements and its potential for fostering inclusivity and diversity within educational and performance contexts.
  2. Digital and Remote Music Education:
    The impact of digital technologies and remote learning on music education practices has become a significant area of exploration, particularly following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. Gender and Music Studies:
    Research examining the contributions of gender perspectives to music history and practice is increasingly prominent, reflecting a broader societal focus on gender equality and representation.
  4. Music and Mental Health:
    A growing body of work is focusing on the connections between music, mental health, and well-being, highlighting the therapeutic potential of music in various contexts.
  5. Interdisciplinary Collaborations:
    There is an emerging trend of interdisciplinary research that combines music with other fields such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology, expanding the scope of music studies.

Declining or Waning

While 'Opus' continues to explore a variety of themes, certain areas of focus appear to be declining in prominence. This reflects shifting interests within the academic community and the evolving landscape of music research.
  1. Classical Music Criticism:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in publications centered around classical music criticism, suggesting a shift towards more contemporary and culturally relevant discussions.
  2. Traditional Musicology:
    Research that strictly adheres to traditional musicological methods, such as purely formal analyses of Western classical music, seems to be less frequent, indicating a move towards more integrative and contextual approaches.
  3. Historical Biographies of Composers:
    Papers focused solely on the biographies of classical composers without a broader cultural or historical context are appearing less often, reflecting a trend towards examining music within its socio-political frameworks.

Similar Journals

FOLK MUSIC JOURNAL

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Folk Sounds
Publisher: ENGLISH FOLK DANCE SONG SOC.ISSN: 0531-9684Frequency: 1 issue/year

Folk Music Journal, published by the English Folk Dance Song Society, is a prominent publication within the fields of Music and Visual Arts and Performing Arts. This journal, based in the United Kingdom at Cecil Sharp House, has been instrumental in advancing the study and appreciation of folk music, sharing invaluable research and insights from 2002 until its recent coverage concluded in 2020. Notably indexed with a Q3 rank in both the Music and Visual Arts categories for 2023, it stands as a significant resource for researchers, professionals, and students alike, contributing to a deeper understanding of folk music's cultural impact. Although it does not currently offer Open Access, the journal has fostered scholarly discourse, reflecting its vital role in the preservation and analysis of traditional musical forms.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MUSICOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Connecting past and present through music scholarship.
Publisher: UNIV CALIFORNIA PRESSISSN: 0003-0139Frequency: 3 issues/year

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MUSICOLOGICAL SOCIETY, published by University of California Press, is a prestigious peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing the field of musicology. With an ISSN of 0003-0139 and E-ISSN 1547-3848, this journal has been a cornerstone of scholarly communication since its inception in 1970 and continues to be relevant through 2024. Its esteemed standing is reflected in its Q2 ranking in the Music category and a respectable 71/180 ranking in the Arts and Humanities discipline, placing it in the 60th percentile among its peers. The journal provides an essential platform for researchers, professionals, and students to explore diverse topics in musicology, ranging from historical studies to contemporary analyses. While it does not currently offer Open Access options, its rigorous editorial standards ensure the publication of high-quality research that contributes significantly to the academic dialogue in music studies. With its address based in the United States at 155 Grand Ave, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94612-3758, the journal remains a vital resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the complexities of music and its societal impacts.

Twentieth-Century Music

Decoding the Rhythms of the Modern Era.
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESSISSN: 1478-5722Frequency: 3 issues/year

Twentieth-Century Music is a premier academic journal dedicated to the study and critique of music composed in the twentieth century. Published by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, this journal holds an esteemed position in the music discipline, reflecting its significance with a Q1 ranking in the Music category as of 2023. Covering a wide timeline from its convergence years (2004 to 2010, 2012 to 2024), it serves as a vital platform for scholars, practitioners, and students to explore innovative research, critical analyses, and interdisciplinary approaches to music of this dynamic era. With an ISSN of 1478-5722 and E-ISSN 1478-5730, the journal is committed to maintaining high scholarly standards and includes open access options to enhance visibility and accessibility of research findings. As part of the robust arts and humanities community, which ranks it at 62 out of 180 in Scopus, Twentieth-Century Music is essential reading for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of contemporary musical trends and their historical contexts.

Arti Musices

Innovating Dialogue in Music Research and Practice
Publisher: CROATIAN MUSICOLOGICAL SOCISSN: 0587-5455Frequency: 2 issues/year

Arti Musices is a distinguished open-access journal published by the Croatian Musicological Society since 2007, dedicated to advancing the field of musicology and related arts and humanities disciplines. Operating from Zagreb, Croatia, this journal aims to provide a platform for scholarly communication, fostering international dialogue among researchers, musicologists, and practitioners. Although it has a current Scopus ranking in the bottom quartile within its category (Q4 in Music), it offers a unique perspective on the musicological landscape, particularly from a regional standpoint. Researchers seeking to contribute to or glean insights from this evolving field will find that Arti Musices serves an important role in disseminating innovative ideas and empirical research. The journal accepts submissions across a broad spectrum of music-related topics, inviting contributions that reflect the complexities and cultural contexts of music today.

ASIAN MUSIC

Fostering Interdisciplinary Insights into Asian Music.
Publisher: UNIV TEXAS PRESSISSN: 0044-9202Frequency: 2 issues/year

ASIAN MUSIC is a distinguished academic journal published by University of Texas Press, focusing on the rich and diverse musical traditions of Asia. With an ISSN of 0044-9202 and an E-ISSN of 1553-5630, this journal serves as a key platform for interdisciplinary research that encompasses musicology, ethnomusicology, and cultural studies related to Asian music practices. While ASIAN MUSIC is not an open-access journal, it provides valuable insights and scholarly articles that contribute significantly to the understanding of music’s role within Asian cultures. The journal originally covered works from 2002 to 2010 and has a reputation for fostering discussions that celebrate the intricacies of sound, performance, and society. Targeting researchers, professionals, and students alike, ASIAN MUSIC stands as a crucial resource for those engaged in the study of music in its multifaceted context.

Popular Music

Exploring the Soundtrack of Society
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESSISSN: 0261-1430Frequency: 4 issues/year

Popular Music, published by Cambridge University Press, is a leading academic journal that has been at the forefront of contemporary music studies since its inception in 1981. With its comprehensive scope encompassing a rich diversity of topics within the fields of Cultural Studies and Music, this journal holds a respectable Q2 ranking in both categories as of 2023, underscoring its significant impact on the scholarly discourse surrounding popular music. Researchers, professionals, and students alike will find invaluable insights within its pages as it explores the socio-cultural dynamics of music from various global perspectives. While it is not an open-access journal, the publication aims to foster critical dialogue and interdisciplinary scholarship. Based in the United Kingdom, Popular Music serves as a vital resource for those interested in the intersections of music, culture, and society, sustaining a vibrant academic community through rigorous peer-reviewed articles and reviews. Engage with the latest research and deepen your understanding of popular music's ever-evolving landscape.

MUSIC THEORY SPECTRUM

Illuminating Insights in Musical Analysis
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INCISSN: 0195-6167Frequency: 2 issues/year

MUSIC THEORY SPECTRUM, published by Oxford University Press, serves as a premier journal in the field of music theory, recognized for its significant contributions and scholarship since its inception. With an ISSN of 0195-6167 and E-ISSN 1533-8339, this journal has established a distinguished position within the academic community, boasting an impressive Q1 status in the Music category for 2023 and ranking #17 out of 180 in Scopus for Arts and Humanities, Music, placing it within the 90th percentile. Despite its non-open access format, MUSIC THEORY SPECTRUM offers a wealth of research articles, reviews, and theoretical discussions aimed at both seasoned scholars and students alike. It spans from 1981 until present, fostering critical engagement and advancing understanding within the discipline. Researchers and music theorists will find this journal an invaluable resource for the latest insights and methodologies in music theory.

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY

Connecting Cultures Through Sound
Publisher: SOC ETHNOMUSICOLOGY INCISSN: 0014-1836Frequency: 3 issues/year

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY, published by SOC ETHNOMUSICOLOGY INC, is a premier journal that stands at the intersection of music, anthropology, and cultural studies. With an ISSN of 0014-1836 and an E-ISSN of 2156-7417, this journal has made significant contributions to the field since its inception in 2002, and continues to engage with contemporary issues through to 2024. ETHNOMUSICOLOGY is indexed in esteemed databases and ranks impressively in its respective categories, including Q2 in Cultural Studies and Music, and Q3 in Anthropology for the year 2023. Its Scopus rankings reflect its robust academic impact, placing it in the 79th percentile for Music within the Arts and Humanities, and 78th in Cultural Studies. The journal provides a vital platform for the dissemination of innovative research and fosters scholarly dialogue among researchers, professionals, and students interested in understanding the complex relationships between music and culture across the globe.

Journal of Historical Research in Music Education

Reviving Historical Perspectives in Music Education
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INCISSN: 1536-6006Frequency: 2 issues/year

The Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, published by SAGE Publications Inc, stands as a vital resource dedicated to advancing the understanding of the intersection between music education and historical scholarship. With ISSN 1536-6006 and E-ISSN 2328-2525, this journal serves as a beacon for researchers, educators, and students interested in exploring the influences and developments in music education from a historical perspective. Although classified in the Q4 quartile across the fields of Education, History, and Music, and while it ranks lower in the Scopus rankings (e.g., #969 in History), the journal remains committed to shedding light on significant yet often overlooked historical contexts in music education. The journal's scope from 2015 to 2024 emphasizes contemporary interests and challenges faced in the field, encouraging the dissemination of innovative research. As an essential repository of knowledge, the journal invites submissions that critically engage with historical perspectives, ensuring that the narratives of music education continue to resonate within and beyond academic circles.

Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Musica

Bridging Disciplines in the World of Music
Publisher: UNIV BABES-BOLYAIISSN: 1844-4369Frequency: 2 issues/year

Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Musica is a prestigious academic journal dedicated to the field of musicology, published by UNIV BABES-BOLYAI. Since its inception, it has strived to foster scholarly communication and share groundbreaking research that spans various music-related disciplines, including ethnomusicology, music theory, and performance studies. The journal operates under an Open Access model since 2021, ensuring that its content is freely accessible to a global audience of researchers, professionals, and students interested in advancing their knowledge and understanding of music. By providing a platform for high-quality, peer-reviewed articles, Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Musica plays a vital role in promoting significant contributions to the evolving discourse in music studies. Its commitment to intellectual rigor and openness aligns with contemporary academic trends, making it an essential resource in the realm of music research.