Joint Conference — Music(s) in Context

 Canadian University Music Society, Canadian Network for Musicians’ Health and Wellness, Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition
Brandon University — Brandon, Manitoba
May 12^th – 15^th, 2024

Call for Lecture-Recitals and Mini-Concerts (Solo and Ensemble)
Deadline:  January 15, 2024
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 This year, the Canadian University Music Society (MusCan) will hold its annual conference in conjunction with the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition and the Canadian Network for Musicians’ Health and Wellness, hosted by the School of Music at Brandon University. The competition portion will be held from May 10th to May 12th, 2024, and the conference portion from May 12^th to 15^th, 2024. Brandon University is located in Treaty 2 territory, home to Anishinaabe, Dakota, Cree, Oji-Cree, and Dene peoples, as well as the homeland of the Red River Métis. Treaty 2 was signed in 1871 by the Crown and six Anishinaabe representatives at Manitoba House.

The conference theme “Music(s) in Contexts” explores the many ways in which music and music-making relate to multiple aspects of our lives. The conference theme invites us to reflect, through disciplinary or interdisciplinary lenses, on the reciprocal influences between music and location, wellness, community, but also on the personal experiences of composing, playing, or listening to music.

This year’s conference will be a connected event; paper sessions will be available to presenters and attendees in both in-person and virtual space, while other conference features will be available only to in-person attendees.

Proposals in English or French for lecture-recitals and mini-concerts of music from any historical period or geographical region are welcome from members and non-members. The deadline for submission of a proposal is January 15, 2024. Submission of a proposal denotes a willingness and ability to attend the 2024 conference in person.

Proposals on any topic are welcome, but we particularly encourage proposals that relate to this year’s theme, “Music(s) in Context” or that continue to build on the themes of Indigenization, decolonization, equity, and diversity within all areas of music study. With its Calls for Lecture-Recitals, Mini-Concerts, Scores, Papers, Sessions, and Round Tables, the Canadian University Music Society aims to bring together scholars from a wide range of perspectives for a vibrant discussion.

Lecture-recitals: Those wishing to propose a lecture-recital should submit: 1) an abstract (maximum 250 words); 2) an abridged abstract (maximum 150 words); 3) a biography of 100 words maximum per person; and 4) recorded audio excerpts from the proposed program. Lecture-recitals may not exceed 45 minutes: a presentation of up to 35 minutes followed by a 10-minute period for questions and discussion.

Mini-concerts: Those wishing to present a mini-concert should submit: 1) the program of works to be performed, with timings listed; 2) recorded audio excerpts (in mp3 format) from the proposed program; 3) a brief program description or program notes (150 words), and 4) a biography of each person involved (100 words maximum per person). Mini-concerts may not exceed 30 minutes.

Participation details: All musical performances will be features available only to in-person conference attendees. As such, all accepted mini-concert and lecture-recital performances are expected to be held in person.

Conference registration and membership in MusCan: All recitalists and lecture-recitalists must be current members of MusCan before their submissions can be accepted for inclusion into the program.  They must also register for the MusCan 2024 conference. Annual dues for MusCan membership in 2024 are $95 for regular members, and $50 for part-time faculty, students, independent scholars, and retired persons. Membership may be purchased, for the current and next calendar year, online at www.muscan.org.

Submission: To submit a proposal, complete the online submission form by Monday, January 15, 2024. The submission portal can be found on our website; it will be open to accept submissions beginning on November 30th, 2023. Proposal abstracts and programs must be attached as MSWord or PDF files, and recordings must be attached as MP3 audio files. The author’s name, names of other participants, if any, together with the author’s postal address, phone number, and email address should appear in the online form but not on the abstract or in any file names, as proposals will be judged anonymously. There will be a space on the form to indicate technical requirements for the performance (instruments, equipment, etc.) If your performance requires special equipment, please contact the local arrangements coordinators ahead of submitting your proposal to ensure that Brandon University can meet those requirements.

Results:  The results of the Program Committee’s deliberations will be announced no later than March 15, 2024.

For further information, visit the conference website or e-mail questions to: pastpresident@muscan.org or godinj@brandonu.ca

Programme Committee Co-Chairs: Caroline Ehman and Jon-Tomas Godin
Local Arrangements Committee Chair: Gretta Sayers and Nora Wilson