CfP: Sound, Space, and the Home: A Virtual Symposium
“Sound, Space, and the Home: A Virtual Symposium”
Dates: September 5–6, 2025
Location: Virtual
CfP deadline: April 18, 2025
Organizing Committee: Candace Bailey (North Carolina Central University), Emily Eubanks (Florida State University), Sarah Koval (University of Mississippi)
Scholarship on at-home music-making has given much attention to the repertoire, musicians, and hosts central to domestic music traditions. The roles that the domestic spaces themselves play in the cultural, philosophical, and political nature of these musical gatherings, however, remains largely underexplored. The vast range of size, grandeur, and objects found in salons, music rooms, and other domestic sites across historical and geographical contexts offers a rich avenue for considering how the spatial properties of homes influence behavior, agency, creativity, and the private/public characteristics of at-home music-making. In this two-day virtual symposium, we seek to better understand how the physical properties of homes shape individuals’ experiences and activities therein by engaging an international, interdisciplinary array of scholars in discussion. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Carola Bebermeier (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien) will give a keynote talk. We invite presentations that explore domestic music-making from any geographical region and any time period. Conference themes include but are not limited to:
- the soundscapes and acoustic considerations of domestic spaces,
- architecture, decor, and material culture (furniture, musical instruments, lighting, etc.),
- geographical studies of the home within its wider geospatial contexts,
- philosophical/social ideas regarding the home and its connection to the public sphere, and
- visual, musical and literary representations of domestic spaces.
Papers are limited to 20 minutes in length, followed by 10 minutes for discussion. We welcome works in progress that will foster conversation and inspire new inquiries surrounding sound, spatiality, and the home. Musical performances and/or lecture recitals will also be considered. The symposium with close with an open discussion on space and sound in the home. Given that the conference format is virtual, we hope to accommodate applicants from both within and beyond the United States.
Please send titles and abstracts of no more than 300 words to Emily Eubanks (emilyreubanks-at-gmail.com) by April 18, 2025 including your name, email address, and affiliation (if applicable). Notification of acceptance will be given in late May 2025. The working language of the conference is English.
An edited essay collection based on the conference is planned.