Bio

Dr. Martin J.M. Hoondert (* 1967) studied musicology and theology and is specialized in music and rituals. Since 2007 he is (associate) professor of ‘Music, Religion & Ritual’ at the Department of Culture Studies of Tilburg University (the Netherlands). His research focuses on rituals in contemporary societies. His main focus is on death rituals and practices of memorialization. His research topics are: the cremation ritual in Dutch society, changing deaht mentalities in Western societies, the contemporary Requiem, musical repertories of funeral rites, commemoration and music, music and grief, music and the First and Second World War, practices of memorialization regarding genocide (esp. Rwanda and Srebrenica). 

Currently, he is working at a Special Issue regarding divorce rituals and a Handbook of Cremation Rituals.

Expertise

My expertise is in ritual studies, musicology, death studies and memory studies. In most of my research projects I combine these fields. For many scholars studying rituals, music is a 'blind spot', due to a lack of musical knowledge and a language to describe the way music functions in and as ritual. I have written several articles and books about the ritual and socio-religious function of music. I apply this knowledge in my research regarding contemporary death rituals (esp. in the crematorium) and commemorative practices after atrocities (esp. the genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica).

Courses

Collaboration

I am active member of the COST Action program "Cultural Victimology". One of the Working Groups in this COST Action concerns Victimology in Cultural Expressions. Victims and victimization are important themes in art. In film, literature and pop music, victims’ stories come to the fore. Or artists express their anger against the consequences of war and (sexual) violence. In the current phase of the COST Action we are working on the network. We are looking for researchers who work on ‘victim/victimization and (pop) music’. See for an overview of the COST Action this link: https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA18121/%20-%20tabs%7CName:overview/#tabs|Name:overview.

Recent publications

  1. Denial, solidarity and protest. Changing attitudes toward death in pa…

    Hoondert, M. J. M. (2023). Denial, solidarity and protest. Changing attitudes toward death in pandemic times. Revista Internacional de Organizaciones, 30, 27-48.
  2. Liturgische muziek in internationaal perspectief

    Hoondert, M. (2023). Liturgische muziek in internationaal perspectief. Gregoriusblad, 147(4), 4-11.
  3. Missionaire muziek

    Hoondert, M. (2023). Missionaire muziek. Gregoriusblad, 145(1), 6-11.
  4. De gedenksteen voor Raviv van Renssen - Symbool voor dialoog en slach…

    Hoondert, M. (2022). De gedenksteen voor Raviv van Renssen: Symbool voor dialoog en slachtofferschap. Tijdschrift over Cultuur & Criminaliteit, 12(1), 42-57.
  5. Gregoriaans: overschat of van onschatbare waarde? - Gregorian chant: …

    Hoondert, M., & Zielhorst, A. (2022). Gregoriaans: overschat of van onschatbare waarde? Gregorian chant: overrated or invaluable. Gregoriusblad, 146(1), 6-11.

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