CALL FOR PAPERS, CALL FOR WORKS

RMA-SMI-EADH Annual conference 2026

DEADLINE for submission: 15th December 23:00 (GMT)

This conference aims to promote research and practice in music, sound, or dance across all repertories, contexts, methodologies and approaches. For example, the place of music or dance within societal well-being; historical, hermeneutic or ethnographical studies of persons, repertories, performances, formats (e.g., film, iconography, choreography), technologies (including AI), musical instruments, notation systems, or institutions/societies. The perspectives of analysis, perception, psychology, or identity are equally of interest. In short - music, sound and dance in all their manifestations. Proposals that reflect insights from other disciplines are encouraged, as are performance, composition, or scholarly collaborations between musicians and dancers.

• Participation is invited in the following formats:
• Individual papers (20 minutes + 10 for Q& A)
• Themed sessions or round tables (90 minutes, including Q&A)
• Lecture-recitals – music or dance (20 minutes + 10 for Q& A)
• Poster presentations (up to 10 minutes)
• Audio Visual Artworks for gallery presentation (maximum 30 minutes)
• Practice-based research workshops (90 minutes)
• Compositions and performances (up to 15 minutes)
• Compositions, choreographies, or new musical instruments as a ‘paper and demonstration’ presentation (20 minutes)
• Composition workshop with Hard Rain (work in progress)
• Composition workshop, electroacoustic (work in progress)
• Composition completed work for public performance

As part of the composition call we are delighted to draw on SARC’s partnership with Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble, Northern Ireland’s cutting-edge contemporary music ensemble and artists in residence at Queen’s University Belfast. The ensemble’s instrumentation is Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano. Proposals for full quintet, with or without electronics will be considered as well as for any combination instruments within the ensemble. 

Proposals will be considered for either composition workshops with open final session/rehearsal (participants to submit sketches and or text proposal + short bio). See the submissions portal for further (below).

OR

Complete Works (participants to submit completed score, performance instructions and materials, technical requirements + short bio). See the submissions portal for further (below). Selected works will be programme in a public concert in the Sonic Lab.

All proposals must be submitted no later than 23:00 (GMT) on 15^th December 2025 via the submissions portal https://tinyurl.com/rmasmieadh26 .

The committee welcomes proposals from practitioners and scholars at all career stages from current PhDs /experienced professionals through to (and including) retirement. We aim to represent the entire scope of current music scholarship and all facets of dance history. Any individual may submit one proposal.

Membership in the RMA, SMI or EADH is not a prerequisite for submission, but members can avail of a discounted registration fee. For further information on  joining any of these societies, please see here for the RMA, the SMI, and the EADH. Master’s students and undergraduates are welcome to attend the conference.

Conference email (for queries) : rmasmieadh26@qub.ac.uk