The second annual UB International Guitar Research Conference will be held at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), North Campus, from Saturday, September 28, to Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Our program committee invites both lecture and performance proposals related (however broadly) to the main theme “Music, Migration, and the Guitar” of the conference (below). Proposals for both in-person and synchronous online formats are considered. The performance component of the conference (a new addition this year) will comprise the “New Music for Guitar Concert” on the afternoon of the first day (September 28) and will be followed by a social event at Pausa Art House for an evening of Brazilian music. The lecture component will follow throughout the second day (September 29). Participants are encouraged to attend both portions.
Deadline and How to Submit
All proposals must be submitted electronically via the submission forms before 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2024.
Forms can be found on the conference website: https://ubguitarresearchconference.wordpress.com
The program committees will announce selected proposals on August 15, 2024.
Lecture Proposal Guidelines
Your proposal and supplementary materials (if any) must be made anonymous. Remove any author metadata from the electronic document.
Proposals must be 500 words or fewer.
You may include supplementary materials that help substantiate your proposal. Please make sure these preserve your anonymity and stay at three pages or fewer.
Selected authors will be given 30-minute slots: generally, a 20-minute talk and 10 minutes for discussion.
Performance Proposal Guidelines
All guitar types (acoustic, classical, electric, 7-string, etc.), related instruments, and ensemble sizes are welcome and considered.
Please see the application form for complete details of requirements.
Questions may be directed to:
Sungmin Shin <sungmins@buffalo.edu>
performance program committee chair & conference co-director
Stephen Guerra <sguerra2@buffalo.edu>
lecture program committee chair & conference co-director
2024 Conference Theme: “Music, Migration, and the Guitar”
Humanity seems in part to be defined by an impulse to migrate, to seek out more favorable conditions to allow its individuals and groups to thrive. Unfortunately, it also seems that migration can lead to conflict, and conflicts inevitably spur migrations. In politics, we often see the concept of migration as highly weaponized, one meant to demonize the other to support the military complex, populist campaigns, private business interests, and so on. In culture and arts, on the other hand, migration is a most reliable catalyst for innovative technologies and forms of artistic expression. The guitar and its plucked-string relatives have migrated extensively back and forth across the world. The sounds of plucked strings inspire people from all walks of life and continue to reverberate for the good of humanity. Music and music making continually demonstrate their power to heal and bring communities together. Let’s recognize and celebrate the guitar, its music and personalities that are born of migration!