Call for Papers and Presentations

Contributions are invited to this symposium which aims to bring together scholars and musicians interested in the contemporary performance of Latin American music composed in the colonial period, with special emphasis on choral music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  The symposium will be convened as one of several inaugural events launching the new Institute for Music in the Americas at the University of Arizona School of Music and its research center for Colonial Latin American Music.  We expect to publish the best of the proceedings from this symposium.

We are particularly interested in papers, panels and workshops on the following topics, although these should not be taken as exclusive:

1. Publication of performance scores -  including consideration of major resources, the processes of identifying, evaluating, accessing, and editing manuscripts; as well as the mechanics of contemporary publication and distribution.
2. Matters of performance practice – including consideration of interpretation, instrumentation, and vocal distribution, as well as decisions balancing authenticity with the demands of contemporary expectations, and values.
3. Recording -  including matters of production, evaluation of existing releases, plans for new releases, and strategies appropriate in the age of digital distribution.
4. Engagement-  including consideration of representation of Latin American choral music (or related repertoire) in educational programs, curriculum development, and civic events.
5. Aesthetics and style studies – including discussions of genre, style, and reception in regional and international contexts.

In all these matters we hope to identify critical issues, needs, priorities, and best practices. Papers should be designed to last no more than 20 minutes.  Performance proposals will be scheduled in time frames that best suit the work to be presented; an ideal timing should be submitted with the proposal. All proposals should include:

1. the title of presentation, accompanied by an abstract of no more than 250 words
2. indication of equipment and audio/visual needs
3. the presenter’s contact information

Proposals should be sent electronically by email attachment (.doc or .rtf only)
by October 30, 2006 to: Ms. Sherrill Blodget at sblodget@email.arizona.edu.

Presenters will be notified by Nov. 22.