MAIN THEMES

1) Performing and culture

Papers are invited that focus on music as performed within a certain culture. The key issue is how performing music and cultural conditions intertwine, and includes the kinds of methodological tools that are at hand for addressing their interaction. The papers may concentrate on performance traditions within art music, popular music, folk music or non-western music, or more specifically on individual performers within these traditions.

2) Music cultures in Northern Europe

The Nordic countries are part of a larger North-European geographical area, centred for the main part around the Baltic Sea. The music of these countries, and its history, can be studied from the standpoint of the interaction between them and with other parts of Europe (and with geographical areas outside Europe). Topics may include cultural interaction, historical aspects and the results of sociological studies.

3) Interactions between musical practice and research

Questions concerning the interrelationship between research and practice touch many fields (e.g., the philosophy of music, music theory, performance studies). Researchers working at music academies and conservatories in particular are interested in the relationship between research and composing and performing. Sessions dedicated to this theme will focus on both theoretical approaches and specific examples of practice-oriented research.

4) Musical analysis and interpretation

This theme includes a wide variety of descriptions of the structure, form, content, and meaning of music. As understood here, musical analysis and interpretation may examine musical structure using established or new analytical methods, hermeneutic or extra-musical aspects, or style from a historical perspective, for example. The music to be discussed is not limited to Western art music.

5) Music education and psychology

The fields of music education and psychology are far-reaching. The research themes on music education range from practice to philosophical and sociological questions, and papers concerning psychological research and incorporating empirical approaches, psychoanalysis and music therapy are welcome.