An astounding 19 student papers were considered for the 1999 Ki Mantle Hood Prize Competition. The committee was made up of Nancy Guy (chair), Terry Lui, Jonathan Ritter, and Rene Lysloff. The winner of the Ki Mantle Hood Prize Competition for 1999 is Charles Sharp (UCLA), "Where is the Riot in Zoot Suit Riot?" The committee found his paper provocative, well written, and the issues he raised timely and theoretically sophisticated. As the winner of the Ki Mantle Hood Prize Competition, Charles receives a cash prize of $50 and the committee wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors. We suggest that he submit his paper to the Pacific Review of Ethnomusicology. Two papers deserve honorable mention this year. The first is by Jason Stanyek, entitled "Transmissions of an Interculture: Pan African Collaborations," and the second, by David Gould is called "Perpetuating the Past in Music Video and the Angelique Kidjo Example." Congratulations to the prize winner and the honorable mentions, and thanks to all SEMSCC student members that have submitted papers for consideration.

I send my fondest regards to everyone at SEMSCC San Diego as well as my apologies for being unable to attend the meeting as I have been invited by Kent Nagano to appear as a soloist with the Berkeley Symphony this weekend. Because of personal matters, I am also unable to continue my duties as chapter officer at this time and hereby regretfully submit my resignation as SEMSCC vice president. I hope that you understand and I look forward to seeing all of you at the next meeting.

Best wishes,

Fred Lau