Call for Papers

Traditions in Western Plainchant

4th Annual Colloquium of The Gregorian Institute of Canada
August 13-16, 2009
McMaster University, Hamilton (Ontario, Canada)

Plenary speaker: Joseph Dyer "Observations on the Origins of the Antiphonale Missarum"

Featured artists: Schola Antiqua of Madrid (Spain), Juan Carlos Asensio, Director

Recent plainchant scholarship has focused on specialized topics such as the early dissemination of variants and palaeographical issues, while opening up new areas of research. These diverse approaches have had a significant impact on our understanding of plainchant cultures (old-Roman, Hispano-Wisigothic, Gregorian), as well as on palaeographical and performance practices. The revival of Gregorian chant in the nineteenth century has led to the relatively recent development of the so-called “Solesmes” tradition of performance, while other schools of performance evolved on the basis of contrasting approaches to musical style and palaeography.

This conference of the Gregorian Institute of Canada offers the opportunity to discuss the significance of recent scholarship and new approaches to plainchant as they relate to different traditions. Since the Gregorian Institute of Canada has focused from its inception on performance, the conference will provide a unique opportunity for scholars and performers from Canada and around the world to share and discuss their ideas, research and experiences.

The organizers therefore welcome proposals dealing with any aspect of tradition in Western plainchant, including but not limited to: music, analysis, palaeography, pedagogy, theory, and performance practice. The conference will also include workshops on approaches to performance practice in Western plainchant.
Please send a 250-word abstract to the following e-mail address: igc.gic@gmail.com, for review by the program committee. Proposals abstracts may be sent, and papers given, in either English or French. Conference papers will be limited to 30 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion period. Performance practice workshops will last 40 minutes.

Students are encouraged to submit paper-proposals for this conference.

The deadline for proposals is February 1, 2009