SPECIAL MUSIC EDUCATION AND MUSIC THERAPY

21 - 24 July, 2026

SMEMT - Home Call for Papers

Special Music Education and Music Therapy

ISME Commission Pre-Conference Seminar

Call for Papers 2026

Theme

Celebrating Musical Belonging

Dates

21-24 July, 2026

Venue

The Music and Health Research Centre, University of Ottawa,
Ottawa, Canada

The ISME Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy invites submissions for the biennial Pre-Conference Seminar to be held July 21–24, 2026 on the campus of the University of Ottawa, in Ontario, Canada. College and university faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, music educators, and music therapists are encouraged to submit proposals related to the conference theme: Celebrating Musical Belonging.

Submission types at a glance

Type of submissions	Abstract length	Duration (mins)	Max no. of Co- Presenters / Panelists	Max no. of Authors
Spoken Paper	400	20	1 - 2	1 - 2
Workshops	400	45	1 - 2	1 - 2
Posters	400	7	1 - 2	1 - 2
Pecha Kucha	400	max 7 mins	1 - 2	1 - 2

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline   :   31 October, 2025
Result notification                        :   TBA
Registrations will open                :   TBA

Submission Guidelines

Go to Submission Guidelines Page

Multiple submissions Policy for Special Music Education and Music Therapy

Number of Submissions per Author: Each first author can submit one full paper (for full paper presentations) or abstract (for short presentations).
Number of Presenters per Abstract: Please check the table above.

Pathways to Publication for Special Music Education and Music Therapy

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

Spoken papers

Abstract length: 400 words + 3000 word full paper
Presentation duration: 20 mins
Description: Spoken Papers will be allocated 20 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: 45 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.

Poster

Abstract length: 400 words
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.

Pecha Kucha

Abstract length: 400 words
Presentation duration: Max 7 minutes
Description: Pecha Kucha formats 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 Kucha are accepted to be presented by one or more of the authors.

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