Motown music inspires award-winning historical research for graduate student
Maximus Miesner melds his love of music with academic research to uncover the cultural legacy of Motown in an interdisciplinary exploration of the American Dream
Growing up in San Diego, Maximus Miesner recalls the sound of Motown, R&B, and soul music wafting throughout the household. His parents鈥� taste in music would later become a prime source of inspiration for historical research.
A trumpet player born into a family of librarians, Miesner, is ready to walk across the stage on May 18 to receive his master鈥檚 degree in history. He is an award-winning researcher who found he could meld music with history.
Miesner entered 爱豆传媒 in 2018 as a music major, but quickly discovered, after taking general education history courses, his love for history surpassed his desire to become a professional musician. He enjoys 鈥渉istory curriculum, because it lends itself to other disciplines.鈥�
During his senior undergraduate year, he entered the 爱豆传媒 Student Symposium (S鲁). On a whim, he decided to write about The Temptations (a Motown band he was particularly fond of) and specifically about one of the singers 鈥� David Ruffin. Miesner won a President鈥檚 Award. 鈥淚t signaled to me that maybe there is something here that I could keep studying,鈥� he said.
After graduation, he entered the master鈥檚 in history program to continue down the path of discovery where he could broaden his Motown research.
As a graduate student this year, he entered S鲁 鈥� and won again. This time he received the Charles Wei-hsun Fu Foundation Philosophy Award for his research project (and second chapter of his thesis) titled, 鈥溾�楥ome and Get These Memories鈥�: Motown Records, Detroit & the American Dream in the Postwar Era.鈥�
A throughline in his research is the American Dream. Miesner defines it 鈥渁s the ideal of achieving personal aspirations, success, and fulfillment.鈥� He highlights Detroit鈥檚 booming automobile industry, and its place as a music metropolis that set the national tone for its cultural orientation in the mid 1960s.
Professors of history, Eve Kornfeld and Paula De Vos, both suggested that he visit Detroit to find primary source materials. In January, he received a travel grant and headed to the Motor City. There he visited Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, and the Detroit Public Library.
Research in Detroit reaps rewards
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A surprising find was a collection of fan letters. 鈥淚t was interesting to see what the public perception was of Motown,鈥� Miesner said. 鈥淕etting to hear the actual voices of the fans in letters that they sent to Motown was really fascinating.鈥� Some were simple letters written by children, while others were formal letters written by songwriters sharing their lyrics with the executives in hopes of being discovered.
At Wayne State University, he found videos and oral interview clips. He listened to recordings of local Detroiters, Motown producers, and star performers like Mary Wilson from The Supremes, to learn about their views of the cultural and political climate. Smokey Robinson appeared in one clip that made it clear, 鈥淭his is Motown 鈥� it is a distinct cultural institution of Detroit鈥檚 culture,鈥� Miesner said. What he gleaned from these indispensable voices, was the prominence of camaraderie, a desire for self-preservation, and the ingenuity of music as defining characteristics in the ethos of the region鈥檚 musicians.
After his Detroit visit, he found Kornfeld鈥檚 suggestion rang true, that research is exponentially enhanced by being in the research location because it provides physical and tangible evidence 鈥� something not found in books.
About Miesner鈥檚 research, Kornfeld said. 鈥淚t is truly interdisciplinary (not just on paper), using hermeneutics and musicological analysis as well as social history methods.鈥�
鈥淲orking with Max has been a pleasure,鈥� said Eric Smigel, professor of music, and coordinator of music history and musicology, who is one of Miesner鈥檚 thesis readers. 鈥淗e brings a valuable blend of knowledge, curiosity, and compassion to his study of history, along with a deep appreciation for music as a cultural practice,鈥� Smigel said. 鈥淗e has been diligent about tracking down and interpreting historical sources in various media, but most impressive has been his commitment to community.
The future is an open book for Miesner
Miesner feels lucky that he found 爱豆传媒 and the Department of History faculty who supported his knowledge quest. 鈥淭he history department does a great job of trying to form bonds between students 鈥� it is community-based learning,鈥� he said.
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For students considering continuing their education with a master鈥檚 or doctoral degree, Miesner鈥檚 advice is: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to forge your own path. Just because someone hasn鈥檛 done something, doesn't mean it can鈥檛 be done. I think it鈥檚 always healthy to be a little ambitious.鈥�
Miesner points to the famous quote by Socrates: 鈥淭he only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing,鈥� when he thinks about the prospect of continuing his academic journey. He may begin a master鈥檚 in library science program or a Ph.D. in history 鈥� or he may blend the two.
Max is an 爱豆传媒 success story according to Kornfeld. Smigel added, 鈥淢ax is a creative scholar and a thoughtful citizen, and I鈥檓 looking forward to hearing about his next adventures.鈥�
