Music and the University: History, Models, Prospects

7-9 July 2022, London
City University of London, UK
Deadline for submissions 30 November 2021
Keynote speakers: TBC
Conference website

Music has been present in European universities from the thirteenth century, with degrees being granted as of the fifteenth century, and the professionalization of musicology taking place in the nineteenth century. However, the double nature of music as art and science has granted it a specificity that not only historically marked its singularity within the organization of knowledge but also challenges its position within the mission of the university in a changing world.

The institutional integration of music in higher education varies across the globe, as does the nature of the degrees offered, and the field uniquely defies established models of researching, assessing merit, and structuring careers. Furthermore, transformations in the ways in which technology and globalisation have changed music creation, performance, and reception call for innovative university practices and curricula, as do societal challenges regarding issues of cultural diversity, identity, inequality, and empowerment.

Within this context, the conference is aimed at extending and advancing knowledge on music in the history of universities, contributing to current issues and debates, and to prospectively theorising its transformation and social impact.

Call for Participation

Proposals are invited on any aspect of music and the university, including (although not limited to) the following broad areas whether singly or in combination:

1. Music in the history of universities

• The professionalization of musicology

• Institutional models across the globe

• The relationship between universities, conservatoires and other specialist institutions

2. Curricula in a changing world

• Music professions in globalized, technological, and digitally mediated culture

• Canons and difference: musicology, performance, and education

• Music curricula in an age of declining secondary provision

3. Research in Music

• Research degrees in/and performance

• Artistic research: concept, financing, assessment

• Music research policies across institutional and financing bodies

4. Music and Social challenges

• Canons and cultural diversity

• Creativity, identities, and empowerment

• (In)equality and inclusivity

5. Musicology vs Professional Music-Making

• The experiences of non-academic musicians and industry professionals working in universities

• Academic music in the public sphere: print, broadcast and social media

• Musicologists writing for non-academic outlets

• The relationship between university music courses and professional musical careers

6. Musicology in the wider university

• A breed apart? Interactions and cross-fertilisations between music and other university disciplines/departments

• University music’s place: in the arts, humanities or social sciences?

7. University Music after the Pandemic

• The lessons of online, hybrid and blended learning for the future of university music

• New technologies and online learning

• Distance learning and distance conferences: questions of environmental sustainability

We welcome a range of types of proposal, for instance:

• 20-minute papers (plus 10 minutes for questions)

• Panels of 3–4 papers (1.5–2 hours) on a closely related topic

• Roundtables (3–5 participants, 1 hour duration)

• Live online fora in various formats, or mixed live in person/online events

• Music performances or other practice-based events

• ‘Teach-ins’ demonstrating aspects of teaching to a live audience

Proposals adopting non-traditional formats will be favourably considered. The organisers would particularly invite papers that involve current students or recent graduates. We intend to hold a roundtable on the subject of ‘Does the distinction between universities and conservatoires remain meaningful?’. The language of the conference will be English, but we will consider papers presented in German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or other languages provided the abstract proposal is translated into English.

Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted by 30 November 2021 to mau2022@city.ac.uk. Decisions will be communicated to speakers by 31 January 2022.

Enquiries may be directed to the Conference Committee members, Dr Angelo Martingo (angelomartingo@elach.uminho.pt), Dr Ian Pace (ian.pace.1@city.ac.uk), and Dr Christopher Wiley (c.wiley@surrey.ac.uk).

The conference fee will be £80 per delegate (reduced rate of £40 available for students/the unwaged), including lunch and refreshments throughout the conference but excluding the conference dinner. Day registration will be £30 per delegate. Entry to events planned as part of the conference will be included in the registration fee. A limited number of bursaries (including registration fee waiver) will be offered to students/the unwaged to offset travel costs.

The conference will be live-streamed for the benefit of delegates who are unable to attend. Delegates may present remotely if desired but are encouraged to present in person. There will be a registration fee of £40 for anybody engaging with the conference online.

At the time of writing, we cannot be certain of the national and international situation as regards the pandemic, quarantine protocols, travel restrictions etc. but we will endeavour to adapt to the changing situation as it transpires in 2022.

City, University of London (EC1V 0HB) is located between Angel and Farringdon in Central London, close to the Barbican Centre and the British Library, and within easy reach of the London airports by train/tube. A wide range of hotels and eating/drinking establishments are nearby, and further details will be provided closer to the conference.

We envisage that a substantial edited volume, to be submitted to a major academic publisher, will be developed from selected papers presented at the conference.

Conference Committee:

Dr Ian Pace (City, University of London, UK)

Dr Angelo Martingo (Universidade do Minho, Portugal, Chair)

Dr Christopher Wiley (University of Surrey, UK).

This conference is organised in association with the Universidade do Minho; City, University of London; and the University of Surrey. We gratefully acknowledge financial assistance from these institutions.

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Samedi 23 Octobre, 2021