Fiftenn individuals have edited the scholarly journal of the Council, variously called the Journal of the International Folk Music Council (1949–68), the Yearbook of the International Folk Music Council (1969–80), the Yearbook for Traditional Music (1981–2024), and Traditions of Music and Dance (2025–present). 

The most issues were edited by Dieter Christensen (19 1/2), while Maud Karpeles edited 13 1/2. In addition to these long-term editing commitments, both of them simultaneously served as what we would today call the Secretary General. The move of the Secretariat to Canada in 1969 ended the UK editorship of the Journal of the International Folk Music Council, and brought a new name and philosophy to it.

Traditions of Music and Dance continues to reflect the tremendous variety of approaches to the study of music and dance.