Percy Grainger Symposium
Approaches to Performing Grainger Symposium
26–28 March 2026, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
Call for papers
The Brigham Young University School of Music, in collaboration with the Percy Grainger Society, invite scholars, performers, educators, musicians, practitioners, and industry professionals to submit proposals for papers, presentations and workshops that explore the music of Percy Grainger through a consideration of approaches to, and the contexts of, live performance.
A unique feature of the Approaches to Performing Grainger Symposium is the involvement of the staff and students from the 500-strong BYU School of Music. The school will provide live music throughout the event in the form of concerts, lecture-recitals, performance workshops, and where possible, live musical illustrations to presentation papers.
Percy Grainger
Percy Grainger (1882–1961) was a composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist whose innovative contributions to music were deeply influenced by his Australian heritage and his passion for folk music. His unique approach to composition and performance has left an indelible mark on the world of music, prompting ongoing exploration of his works. This symposium will serve as a platform for examining not only Grainger’s compositions but also the broader implications of his artistic philosophy on performance practice today.
Thematic focus
In recognition of Grainger’s continued importance in the wind-band community, sessions will be divided into a two-track system: track A will explore wind-band music, and track B will explore all other instrumental and vocal music. We encourage proposals that address various facets of Grainger’s music, including, but not limited to, the topics in the bulleted list:
- Approaches to Performance: innovative approaches to interpreting Grainger’s music
- Ethnomusicological Perspectives: insights into Grainger’s fieldwork and its impact on his compositions, as well as discussions on the preservation of folk traditions
- Educational Applications: the role of Grainger’s music in music education and methodologies for teaching his works to students across different levels
Submission guidelines
We invite graduate students, practitioners, and affiliated and independent scholars to submit proposals for (a) lightning papers, (b) standard papers, (c) illustrated papers with live music, (d) lecture recitals, or (e) workshops and clinics. The guidelines for each submission are given below.
Lightning Papers
Aimed at graduate students and emerging scholars, the lightning sessions last for 10 minutes and are presented in poster session format. Lightning papers may include audiovisual elements and may be delivered in person or online.
Standard Papers
Each standard paper presentation lasts 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. Presentations may include audiovisual elements and may be delivered in person or online.
Illustrated Papers with Live Music
Illustrated paper presentations last for up to 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Presentations may include live musical illustrations by students and staff of the School of Music and may only be delivered in person.
Lecture-Recitals
Proposals for lecture-recitals may range in length from 30 to 45 minutes and should offer an appropriate balance of lecture and performance elements. Lecture recitals may be delivered by a single person who provides live musical examples or may involve other performers. Lecture recitals may be delivered only in person.
Workshop and Clinics
Experienced performers, conductors, and directors may propose sessions in masterclass or clinic format, ranging from 60 to 90 minutes, that explore approaches to performing Grainger’s music. The musical focus may be on solo performing, or larger vocal or instrumental groups.
Proposals should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MDT on October 1, 2025. Each proposal must include the following:
- proposal title
- abstract (max. 250 words)
- proposer’s name and email address
- biography of the proposer (max. 100 words)
- institutional or organizational affiliation, or place of residence
Dates, Deadlines, and Registration Fees
| October 1, 2025 | Submission deadline |
| Registration Opens | Full conference with meals: $279 Full conference without meals: $209 |
| November 1, 2025 | Contributors notified of acceptance |
| December 1, 2025 | Final symposium schedule published, and symposium registration opens |
| February 1, 2026 | Early-bird registration discount ends |
| March 17, 2026 | Registration closes |
Symposium schedule
26–28 March, 2026
| 3:30 p.m. | Registration Check-in |
| 6:00 p.m. | Welcome Dinner |
| 9:00 a.m. | Light Breakfast |
| 9:30 a.m. | Keynote Speaker |
| 11:00 a.m. | Morning Break |
| Noon | Lecture Recitals |
| 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 p.m. | Paper Presentations |
| 3:30 p.m. | Afternoon Break |
| 4:00 p.m. | Approaches to Performing Grainger-Lecture Recital |
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:30 p.m. | Concert |
| 9:00 a.m. | Light Breakfast |
| 9:30 a.m. | Paper Presentations |
| 11:00 a.m. | Morning Break |
| Noon | Illustrated Papers with Live Music |
| 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 p.m. | Approaches to Performing Grainger-Lecture Recitals |
| 3:30 p.m. | Afternoon Break |
| 4:00 p.m. | Illustrated Papers with Live Music |
| 5:00 p.m. | Roundtable Discussions & Close |
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:30 p.m. | Concert |
Organization
Dr. Brent Wells
Brigham Young University
USA
Dr. Nate Seamons
Brigham Young University
USA
Jihea Hong-Park
Associate Professor of Piano
Brigham Young University
USA
Dr. Paul Jackson
Percy Grainger Society
USA & UK
Prof. Chalon Ragsdale
Percy Grainger Society
University of Arkansas
USA