In keeping with the conference theme of “Presenting the Past”, we would like to invite existing and new WG members to submit papers on any aspect of music and sound as they relate to the conference themes of history, historiography, theatrical artefacts, practices and discourses.

These include, but are not limited to,

• Sound / Music as mnemonic in theatre and performance

• Historiography of sound / music in a selected performance or performances

• Historical narratives in / of music theatre, musicals or opera•

• Historicity and authenticity of the voice in performance

• The voice as phenomenological memory in performance 

• Historical forms of music in/and/as theatre

• Archiving sound / music in performance

• Sonic artefacts: Instruments, sound, music, and the voice as objects of memory

• ‘Ghosting’ in musicals: Representations of historical figures in musicals

• Oralities / Auralities of the past

In addition, we are also accepting papers that are not related to the conference theme but address the WG’s research areas. These can be found in our WG homepage of the IFTR website (http://www.firt-iftr.org/working-groups/stage-forms/music-theatre/teamblog/listings/music-theatre)

At present, there is also a possibility of a WG sponsored panel for the main programme; updates will be provided when information is available. Given the interdisciplinary nature of our study, we are also keen to explore the possibility of joint panels with other working groups. If your proposal might be appropriate for a joint session, please indicate that on your application. 

We welcome both new and current group members, theatre scholars and practitioners who have an interest in the areas listed above, to join the WG sessions at the conference. Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and are due no later than 15 January 2016. The group’s working language is English.  

Notice on acceptance will be given by 28 February 2016. As the WG would like to utilize the given sessions for concrete and thorough discussions, papers will be circulated prior to the conference, among WG members who will be attending the conference. As such, finalized papers are to be submitted by email to the convenors before 1 June 2016. Papers should be no more than 3,000 words (for an allotted session of 30 minutes).

Abstracts should be submitted through the IFTR’s website, http://www.iftr.org/conference.

Please note that accepted abstracts will be published in the Congress’s Abstracts Book. Additional information such as the form the proposed submission will take, or information about available dates, should be included on the online form under ‘Equipment required.’ Should this prove insufficient, please write to the convenors at the email below for more information. 

If you require assistance in the form of bursaries, please do let the organisers know before 1 December  2015. The 
application form will be available at www.iftr.org from 30 September 2015.

Music Theatre Working Group Convenors:

Marcus Tan ( tanmc@tcd.ie)

George Rodosthenous ( g.rodosthenous@leeds.ac.uk)