27^e année, 24 janvier 2026.

Symposium: Music, Autobiography, and Constructing the Self

16 – 17 July 2026, Dublin

University College Dublin

Deadline for Proposals: Friday 30 January 2026

Abstract submissions are invited for the symposium “Music, Autobiography, and Constructing the Self”, which will take place at University College Dublin, 16 – 17 July 2026.

Previously construed as an “untidy” (Olleson, 2000) presence within music history, the topic of biography has garnered increased attention in recent years through edited collections by the likes of Christopher Wiley & Paul Watt (2019) and Joanne Cormac (2020). These have sought to challenge existing notions of the place of biography in musical history, and to highlight the historiographical challenges it presents to scholars. They collectively argue for a focus on biographical writing in dialogue with contemporary social, political, cultural, and economic currents, and illuminate (and grapple with) the particular ideologies that inform biographers’ strategies. In so doing, they embrace the genre as an important tool in understanding composer reception, and make the case for a new understanding of the place of biography in a wider historiographical discourse.

While the field of literary autobiography studies has been active for several decades, questions around music and its intersections with autobiography are less well-developed. Approaches have been diverse: from examining evolving self-narratives of inspiration (Schulster, 2001) to the hermeneutics of “autobiographical” listening (Bonds, 2019). Yet few scholars have examined how musicians have sought to harness the powers of autobiography for the purposes of their own promotion, and how music might become entangled in the creation of a public Self.

This symposium thus sets out to explore the myriad ways in which musicians have constructed their own public images and biographical narratives through their music, writings, and collecting practices, within changing media landscapes. The geographical and temporal scope is wide, covering a range of approaches and methodologies within the realm of musicology.

Participation is welcomed from scholars of all career stages, and the sharing of ongoing work or work-in-progress is encouraged. The programme committee invites proposals for the following formats:

Conference papers (max. 300 word abstract)

Themed panels (max. 300 word panel abstract, keywords, plus up to three paper abstracts)

Proposals may be sent to musicautobiographyself@gmail.com by 11:59pm (Irish time) on Friday 30 January 2026.

This symposium looks to celebrate and expand upon the upcoming double special issue on the same topic for the *Journal of Musicological Research*.

Participation in the special issue is not a prerequisite for submitting a
proposal to the symposium.

Musicologie.org, 56 rue de la Fédération, 93100 Montreuil. ☎ 06 06 61 73 41.

ISSN 2269-9910.

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Jeudi 29 Janvier, 2026