Notice of Resignation of the AMS-NYSSL President, Christopher Moore

Dear colleagues,  

Please be informed of my resignation as President of the NYSSL Chapter of the American Musicological Society, effective immediately. When I accepted the role of President of the Chapter in the Summer of 2024, I did so with the conviction that my voluntary contributions could build on a strong legacy of dedication to the organization and promotion of musicological work throughout the international geographical jurisdiction of our Chapter, one that serves an incredibly diverse, inspiring, and engaged musicological community. I remain convinced that the Chapter should pursue this work. However, the political situation of the past few weeks, and especially that of the past few days, has compelled me to decide to withdraw my service from the AMS. As a Canadian citizen, I have very little leverage with which to express my utter dismay with the actions and policies of the current American government. On March 4, 2025, the Trump administration implemented a series of crippling economic tariffs on Canadian goods, a strategy that many observers interpret as a prequel to imperialist ambitions of economic and territorial annexation. I cannot, in good conscience, preside over and promote the Chapter of an American organization at a time when Canada is faced - for no logical or justifiable reason - with such an existential threat from our “friendly neighbour” to the South. I recognize that many members of the Chapter are equally appalled by what is currently transpiring, and I sincerely wish you courage in your musicological endeavours and in your own forms of political resistance. In the current moment, I am convinced that my own resistance must take the form of showing unambiguous solidarity with Canada and Canadian organizations. 

Sincerely, Christopher Moore Associate Professor and Director School of Music University of Ottawa 50 University Pr. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5