COMMUNITY MUSIC ACTIVITY
21 - 24 July, 2026
Community Music Activity
ISME Commission Pre-Conference Seminar
Call for Papers 2026
Theme
Dates
21-24 July, 2026
Venue
University of Toronto Scarborough,
Canada
Theme
Relationality in the midst of conflict: difference, dialogue, and possibility in community music
Music making is not a singular universal experience but an interwoven, relational practice that thrives on the dynamic interaction of difference. Whether between people, cultures, politics, or ecosystems, participatory music practices occur in an ongoing process of entanglement, interdependence, and co-creation—one that has potential to foster connection and transformation, but also holds potential for exclusion and oppression.
In a global landscape of intensifying conflict and division, how might community music be reimagined in terms of relationality and difference? What is the role of dialogue in enabling co-creation and reciprocity? What are the critiques and possibilities for community music that might help the field better respond to the global challenges of political conflicts, climate crisis, social isolation, oppression, and other complex issues?
This seminar invites community music scholars and practitioners to explore relationality within participatory music making—including (but not limited to) ways of listening and collaborating across differences, possibilities for music to bridge and negotiate cultural practices, and critiques that examine how dialogue can support navigating difference and conflict. Through arts-based presentations, workshops, listening circles, pecha kuchas, and research presentations, we invite proposals that respond to the following questions:
- How might community music research and practice operate within difference and conflict?
- How might intersectional, critical, and decolonial approaches strengthen and diversify community music practices and scholarship around the globe?
- How might contemporary and traditional Indigenous practices and epistemologies inform community music as a field?
- What is the potential of listening and dialogue in building relationality across difference and conflict, whether social, cultural, political, or ecological?
- What does co-creation look like across cultures, disciplines, and ecosystems?
In an era when divisive politics are intensifying, this seminar aims to explore contemporary community music research and practice that highlights difference, dialogue, and possibility. Rather than unity and consensus, we seek entanglement, reciprocity, openness, transformation, and possibility as core principles of participatory musical engagement.
Submission types at a glance
| Type of submissions | Abstract word limit | Duration (mins) | Max No. of Co-Presenters / Panelists | Max No. of Co- Authors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Papers (will be published in Proceedings) | 400 for abstract + up to 3000 words for full paper | 20 min + 10 min | 1 - 2 | unlimited |
| Arts based presentation | 400 words | 30 min | 1 - 2 | 1 - 2 |
| Posters | 400 words | 7 min | 1 - 2 | 1 - 2 |
| Workshops | 400 words | 45 min +10 min | 1 - 2 | 1 - 2 |
| Pecha Kucha | 400 words | max 7 mins | 1 - 2 | 1 - 2 |
| Symposia | 800 words | 90 min | 3 - 6 | 3 - 6 |
| Full paper and response paper | 400 words | 50 min | 1 - 2 | 1 - 2 |
| Graduate student / early career paper | 400 words | 30 min | 1 | 1 |
With all submissions, please include a 50-word self-location statement locating yourself: who you are, where you are now, and where you have come from. It may include your formal affiliation; independent scholars and practitioners are of course warmly welcomed. This protocol of locating oneself relationally is common to many First Nations peoples and a practice we have adopted with CMA since 2022.
Important Dates
Abstract Submission Deadline : 31 October, 2025
Result notification : TBA
Registrations will open : TBA
Submission Guidelines
Multiple Submission Policy for CMA
- Number of Submissions per Author: The Commissions usually only accept one submission per author. There are exceptions for special cases or topics for the CMA pre-conference, depending upon availability of space; please contact the Commission Chairs prior to the submission closing date.
- Number of Presenters per Abstract: Please check the table above.
Pathways to Publications for CMA
- All accepted abstracts will be included in the Conference Proceedings
- All accepted abstract titles will appear in the Conference Program
- All accepted Full Papers will be published in the Conference Proceedings
Pathways to 37th ISME World Conference, Montreal
All accepted abstracts from the Pre-Conference Seminars will have the opportunity to be presented as Posters at the 37th World Conference at Montreal in July 2026. You will be extended an invitation once your Pre-conference Seminar abstract is accepted.
Submission Types In Detail
Full Spoken Papers
Abstract length: 400 words + 3000 word full paper
Presentation duration: 30 mins
Description: Spoken Papers will be allocated 30 minutes, consisting of no more than 20 minutes for the presentation and a maximum of 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Single authored or co-authored presentations are accepted to be presented by one or more of the authors.
Workshop
Abstract length: 400 words
Presentation duration: 60 mins
Description: Abstracts of 400 words or fewer (excluding title) should be submitted for demonstration/workshop consideration, with 15 words or fewer for paper title. References should be added to the end of the document and are not included in the word count.The abstract should clearly provide background information, the purpose of the workshop, content, method, and applications for music education.
Sessions will have designated time-slots (normally a total of 60 minutes, consisting of no more than 45 minutes for the Workshop and 10 minutes for the discussion/questions, with 5 minutes between sessions).
Demonstration groups of pupils can only be used if all arrangements are organized by the presenter, because the organizing committee cannot provide for this. For demonstrations of software or other equipment authors will be responsible for ensuring that the necessary equipment is available. Submissions must therefore include a full description of the equipment and facilities needed.
Pecha Kucha
Abstract length: 400 words
Presentation duration: Max 7 minutes
Description: Pecha Kuchaformats are accepted. Pecha Kucha 20×20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically, and you talk along to the images.
Pecha Kucha are designed to cover interesting information in a captivating format. We have all heard of elevator pitches, a presentation so short you could pitch it to someone in an elevator. 20 seconds x 20 images is a bit longer than that, but the idea is the same: short, concise presentations that can accommodate many more research ideas than the traditional 20 minute format.
For pecha kucha submissions, please include an abstract of up to 400 words. Abstract titles should be 15-words or fewer. References should be added to the end of the document and are not included in the word count.Single authored or co-authored pecha kuchas are accepted to be presented by one or more of the authors.
Poster
Presentation duration: 7 mins
Description: Submissions for poster presentations at the Seminar will be accepted. Additionally, full-paper submissions that are not accepted for presentation as spoken papers at the Seminar will be considered for presentation as Posters at the seminar meeting. Abstracts of 400 words or fewer (excluding title) should be submitted for Poster consideration, with 15 words or fewer for paper title. References should be added to the end of the document and are not included in the word count.
Authors of accepted Posters are invited to bring with them a Poster to display during the Seminar. Poster specifications (size, format, etc.) will be provided upon acceptance. Titles of the Poster will appear in the Seminar Program and the Abstracts will be printed in the Commission Proceedings. Posters will be grouped into sessions that have designated timeslots during the Seminar.
Single authored or co-authored posters are accepted to be presented by one or more of the authors.
Arts based presentation
Presentation duration: 30 mins
Description: Arts-based research presentations are encouraged, and will be allocated [30 minutes], consisting of no more than [20 minutes] for the presentation and a maximum of [10 minutes] for questions and discussion. Please submit an abstract of up to 400 words. Abstract titles should be 15-words or fewer. References should be added to the end of the document and are not included in the word count.Single authored or co-authored presentations are accepted to be presented by one or more of the authors.
Symposia
Presentation duration: 90 mins
Description: Symposia will consist of a set of integrated spoken papers related to a theme. Organized Symposia sessions are encouraged and expected to make a distinctive and creative contribution to the Seminar.
The total time allowed for a Symposium will normally be 90 minutes, consisting of presentations and discussions according to the decisions of the convenor. Multiple sessions on a given topic will also be considered.
Symposia may include:
- colloquia (discussion panel) that include one major presentation with one or more invited discussants
- round-table discussion on a single topic with a group of speakers who propose their points of view and, under the guide of the chair (convenor), discuss these with the audience
Each of the above types of Symposia will be chaired by a Symposium Convenor (chair) who will submit the main Abstract on behalf of the panel presenters. The convenor must ensure that all participants are ISME members who have registered for accounts in the Submission System priorto the submission.
The Symposium Convenor (panel chair) must supply all information using the required Submission Form.
It is the responsibility of the Symposium Convenor to ensure that each participant has agreed to attend the Seminar and participate in the Symposium if it is accepted and that all co-presenters complete their registration by the date set by ISME.
Full paper and response paper
Presentation duration: 50 mins
Description: Full paper and response paper presentation (20 minutes main paper, 10 minutes response, 20 minutes discussion. The paper needs to be submitted at the time of abstract submission, the respondent will then prepare a direct response to the paper.
The respondent will be chosen by CMA to suit the paper theme.
Full paper abstract has to be submitted through the submission system. The response will be chosen by the commission.
Graduate student / early career paper
Presentation duration: 30 mins
Description: We will offer a space for academic mentoring, presenting your research and discussing it with members of the CMA community.
10 minutes presentation and 20 minutes mentoring and dialogue.
Important Information
Key Resources & links
2026 ISME Pre-Conference Seminar Guidelines
Event Partners / Sponsors
