Purpose

This fellowship, made possible by the SMT-40 campaign, is intended to recognize and foster excellent research in music theory by helping highly qualified PhD. students to complete their dissertations.

Eligibility
  • Applicants must be current members of the Society for Music Theory who have completed all required coursework and examinations, and have received approval of the dissertation proposal, by the application deadline. 
  • Previous years’ applicants are encouraged to reapply.
  • Awardees must not have completed and defended their dissertation by the time they receive the fellowship.
  • These fellowships are awarded to research projects that promise to make a significant contribution to the field of music theory.
  • In keeping with the Society's mission to promote diversity and inclusivity, at least one of the two awards will support a topic in an area of music theory research that engages diversity, or an applicant who contributes to the diversification of the SMT community. 
Award
  • 2024 dissertation research fellowships include an award of $5,000 to support full-time research and writing for a minimum of two months. We thank Mary Wennerstrom for substantially underwriting this year's fellowships.
  • Awardees will receive recognition at the Annual Meeting and in the SMT Newsletter. 
Administration
  • The SMT-40 Dissertation Fellowship Committee consists of a Chair and three additional members appointed by the SMT President.
  • The committee evaluates completed applications and selects up to two awardees per year. The Committee reserves the right not to make any award.
  • Committee members recuse themselves from deliberations regarding any graduate student who attends their institution or who may pose a conflict of interest for them. Any recusals associated with the award winners will be made public when the award is announced.
  • The winners will be notified early in the year (Jan–Feb) and will have two weeks to accept or decline the Fellowship.
  • An awardee may receive the Fellowship only once; it is not deferrable or renewable.
  • The Fellowship may be accepted without the financial award should this be a condition for accepting an award from a different source.
Application process

Please fill out the online form (log-in required) to apply. 

The application asks for the following:

  • Basic information about the student (name, institution, email, mailing address)
  • Dissertation advisor and their email address
  • Curriculum vitae (no more than three pages)
  • A dissertation prospectus, with title, up to fifteen double-spaced pages (approximately 3000–4000 words) in length. This document should be clearly organized and include:
    • A clear statement of the project’s objectives
    • A discussion of the methodology in use
    • A consideration of how the work ties into (extends, supplements, engages with) current important streams of music-theoretical thought
    • An overview of the chapters
    • A statement of the present status and timeline for completion of the project.
    • (Optional) Up to four pages of supplementary materials that illuminate the argument (images, musical examples, etc. with clear captions) and a bibliography up to two pages in length (single spaced). Supplementary materials are not included in the suggested length of fifteen double-spaced pages (approximately 3000–4000 words).
  • A sample chapter (with title) from the dissertation that showcases the most promising contributions of the dissertation
  • A confidential letter from the dissertation advisor, to be uploaded by the advisor directly to the SMT portal before the application deadline
Deadline
The deadline for applications was December 15, 2023. 

SMT Jacksonville 2024

The Society for Music Theory celebrates its forty-seventh Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, November 7–10, 2024.

ABOUT JACKSONVILLE

Visit Jacksonville built a microsite for our attendees to use. Visit the site to learn more about Jacksonville, including where to eat, what to do, and how to get there.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Information about the conference can be found on the SMT website

Hotel Reservations 

The Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel (225 E Coastline Drive) has reserved a block of rooms for conference attendees. The rates are $169/night for single and double occupancy; $194/night for triple occupancy; $219/night for quadruple occupancy; and $169 for student quadruple occupancy (limited rooms available). Hotel reservations for non-students may be made online.  SMT student members should have received an email with a code to reserve at the student rate; please email Jennifer Diaz at smt@societymusictheory.org if you did not receive the email. 

Using the conference room block at this hotel helps us meet our contractual obligations and keeps you close to all conference activities.

Conference Registration

Conference registration is open and available on our website. The rates are as follows:

Rate Category Early (6/01–9/27/2024) Regular (9/28–11/1/2024)
Student or low-income $70.00 $95.00
Emeritus/Retired $100.00 $135.00
Standard $130.00 $175.00
Student Helpers

We are in need of student volunteers to assist during the conference. Volunteers will receive a registration fee waiver in exchange for 6.5 hours of service. The deadline to apply is September 6

Hotel Accessibility

Every effort will be made to meet the unique requirements of all attendees. For specific needs or questions please contact Jennifer Diaz, Executive Director, at smt@societymusictheory.org.  

Sponsorships

The Society provides several sponsorship opportunities for organizations at our Annual Meeting. 

Exhibits 

The deadline to reserve an exhibit booth is September 6

Program Guide Advertisements 

The final deadline to reserve a program guide ad is September 6