Call for papers – The Guitar in Popular Music
The Guitar in Popular Music conference
A three day conference from the 10th – 12th July
Bringing together people from a range of fields interested in the use of the guitar in popular music, to share research about the guitar. The Guitar in Popular Music conference, in collaboration with the International Guitar Research Centre will be co-hosted by Canterbury Christ Church University and the Academy of Contemporary Music.
Proposals are invited for presentations as follows:
- Individual papers – 25 minutes plus 10 minutes for questions
- Individual papers which include live performance elements – 25 minutes plus 10 minutes for questions
- Lecture recital – 35 minutes plus 10 minutes for questions
Papers and presentations can focus on any aspect relevant to the conference’s overarching theme: the guitar’s role and use in popular music (including jazz). Any type of guitar (e.g. acoustic, electric, bass, hybrid etc.) may be considered, as can any (or any combination of) the following perspectives: historical, contextual, analytical, pedagogical, technological, compositional or performance-based. We are particularly interested in papers which relate to the following themes:
- Guitar Soloing and Tonal Improvisation
- Guitar as Rhythm and Texture
- Guitar Design and Technology
- Guitar Culture
- Guitar Technique
- Case studies of the guitar technique of established players in popular music.
Please send proposals to guitarconference@canterbury.ac.uk in the following format:
- Individual Papers: abstract up to 300 words and biography up to 100 words. Please also provide a website link about you and your work if you have one.
- Individual papers which include live performance elements and Lecture recitals: abstract up to 300 words, biography up to 100 words, and sample recording or video (e.g. via YouTube/SoundCloud link etc.). Please also provide a website link about you and your work if you have one.
The deadline for submissions is 14th March 2025. A draft conference programme will be published in April 2025.
Conference Panel:
- Dr James Dean (Chair, Canterbury Christ Church University)
- Professor Rich Perks (Academy of Contemporary Music)
- Professor Milton Mermikides (University of Surrey/Gresham College)
- Professor Murray Smith (University of Kent)
- Dr Kate Lewis (Brunel University London)
Acceptance of proposals will be at the discretion of the conference panel. Please provide your abstracts as a WORD doc, preceded by information under the following headings:
- Name
- Institution (as appropriate)
- Postal address
- Phone
- Email Address
- Presentation type (paper or paper including live performance demonstrations)
- Title
A limited number of papers (maximum of 4) will be accepted for online presentation, for a section of the conference that will specifically focus on international submissions. All other papers will be presented in person.
Venues
10 and 11 July: Anselm Studios, North Holmes Road, Canterbury
12 July: Academy of Contemporary Music, The Rodboro Buildings, Bridge St, Guildford GU1 4SB
Registration details and conference bookings will open mid-April following the selection of papers.
Free
Enquiries: guitarconference@canterbury.ac.uk