Call for Proposals for the Arkansas Black Music Symposium

The U of A Center for Black Music announces a Call for Proposals for the the 11th annual Black Music Symposium, to be held Jan. 31 through Feb. 3, 2024. The theme for this year's symposium is "Celebrating Afro-Caribbean Music."

The program invites submissions for performances and research on any aspect of Afro-Caribbean music to be presented at this year's symposium. Presentations may take the form of a performance, paper, panel/roundtable, or masterclass/clinic. See guidelines for each format below. 

To apply, submit a proposal of no more than 300 words, a bio and CV for all presenters, and a link to a sample recording for performances, clinics, and masterclasses. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. Central on Nov. 15.   

Guidelines for presentation formats: 

Performance: Performers will be allotted up to 20 minutes for a live performance as part of the symposium's concerts. In addition to the submission requirements above, performances must: (1) feature performed work(s) composed by a Black composer (2) specify the exact duration of the performance and instrumentation, and (3) include a link to a recording of the actual work(s) proposed for the performance.

Paper: Research papers will be given 20 minutes for presentation plus 10 minutes for Q&A.

Panel/Roundtable: Groups of two or more presenters may propose a panel of individual papers or a topic for roundtable discussion; these sessions will receive one hour to be split among the participants; panels/roundtables will be accepted or rejected in total.

Clinic/Masterclass: One or more presenters highlight aspects of performance practice, instrumental/vocal technique, or pedagogy related to the symposium theme; include a link to a sample recording.