CFP: Sights & Sounds (University of Salford)

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

INTERROGATING THE MUSIC DOCUMENTARY

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD

4 - 5 JULY 2010

CALL FOR PAPERS

In the fall of 1894, W. K.L. Dickson assisted Thomas Edison in his experimentation with sound film. He shot a sequence in which one man plays a violin before the recording phonograph horn while two others dance. Might this be the first music documentary?

In the years since, numerous works have been produced that consist of narrative formulations of musical history; portraits of individuals or groups; replications of musical events; meditations on musical genres or transformative occasions. A number of these works have become renowned in their own right, such as D.A. Pennebaker’s Don’t Look Back (1967) or the Maysles Brothers Gimme Shelter (1970). Others have become as famous as the events they depict, including Steve Binder’s The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) Michael Wadleigh’s Woodstock (1970). Still more have placed a name and a face to previously unknown musicians, as did Paul Justman’s Standing in the Shadow of Love (2002) with Motown Records’ Funk Brothers. Some have provoked controversy as much as they have drawn audiences, like Ken Burns’ PBS series Jazz (2001). Some have attached a conceptual framework to a genre and a group and incorporated an argument about that material, including Julian Temple’s The Filth and the Fury (2000).

The conference will interrogate this body of film and welcomes submissions on works in any media: radio, television or film. We are interested in issues that include but are not limited to narrative strategy, visual articulation, ideological analysis, star imagery, gender dynamics, race, We are particularly interested in studies that challenge normative story-telling strategies, familiar and hence deflated visual approaches, or wish to topple canonic formations of musical production that have been perpetuated through their presentation in various media.

The conference will feature appearances by filmmakers (to be announced) and showings at the Cornerhouse Theatre, located in Manchester. We hope as well to commission selected papers from the conference for publication in a volume, the first such anthology of approaches to the genre of music documentary.

Deadline for submissions: December 14, 2009

Announcement of program: January 4, 2010

Please send proposals of no more than 500 words by e-mail to both of the following addresses

d.sanjek at salford.ac.uk b.halligan at salford.ac.uk

Conference Chairs:

David Sanjek, Professor of Music Ben Halligan. Senior Lecturer

Director, Popular Music Research Centre School of Performance

School of Music

University of Salford

Job Posting: Lecturer/Sr Lecturer (2 posts) Department of Music (City University)

JOB POSTING: LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER (2 POSTS)
SCHOOL OF ARTS, DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
CITY UNIVERSITY
SALARY: £33K - £55K
DEADLINE: 10 SEPTEMBER 2009

The Department of Music offers students a uniquely rich and diverse musical life at the heart of one of the world's great cultural hubs. The department incorporates first class facilities including a new performance space, digital sound studios, ensemble room and gamelan room, and was placed in the top 15 UK music departments in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

As both our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes move into an exciting period of further expansion and development the Department of Music wishes to appoint two new posts.

We would welcome applicants with expertise in one or more subject areas drawn from film music composition; film music studies; music and media; popular music; and historical performance practice. For one post we are especially interested in someone whose areas of expertise include exceptional skills in digital audio and media.

One role (which can be either post) will also be very important in nurturing the department's existing relationship with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and in particular our thriving DMA programme.

For both posts a PhD (or near completion) is essential, ideally with a good track record of research or research potential, and of successful applications for external research funding. You will need to be a versatile team player, willing and able to contribute to our core curriculum and to supervise at postgraduate level. Anticipated starting date is January 2010.

For more information please visit www.city.ac.uk/hr

Closing date: Tuesday 10th September 2009 at 5pm.

Interviews to be held 22nd and 23rd September 2009.

Upcoming Workshop: Sound and the Silents (Univ of Edinburgh)

SOUND AND THE SILENTS: A WORKSHOP
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH AND CAMEO CINEMA EDINBURGH
13 OCTOBER 2009

The AHRC-funded Research Network ‘The Sounds of Early Cinema in Britain’ announces:
‘Sound and the Silents: a workshop’

LOCATION: University of Edinburgh and Cameo Cinema Edinburgh

PROGRAMME: to include Dr Stephen Bottomore, speaking on sound effects in the silent era; Mervyn Heard (lanternist), on the role of the lecturer from lanterns to films; a contemporary foley artist; plus examples of how current technology might be used in the exhibition of silent films by contemporary sound artists. For more details, watch the project website below

STUDENT BURSARIES: at least two RMA-funded student bursaries (towards travel to, and 2 nights accommodation in, Edinburgh) are available to facilitate attendance. To apply, please state your name, university affiliation, address, email address, estimated cost of travel and whether you will need accommodation, and include a 300-word statement outlining how attending this sound effects workshop will enhance your research. Email to Dr. Annette Davison (a.c.davison [at] ed.ac.uk) by 5pm,
Friday 11 September 2009.

Project website: http://projects.beyondtext.ac.uk/soundsearlycinema/index.php

Job Posting: Lecturership in Music (University of Hull)

JOB POSTING: LECTURERSHIP IN MUSIC

UNIVERSITY OF HULL

DEADLINE: 26 JUNE 2009

The Department of Drama and Music at the University of Hull wishes to appoint a Lecturer to contribute to the teaching of composition in the areas of jazz, popular or film music, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. S/he will have a commitment to research in one or more of these areas and should possess, or be near to completing, a PhD. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the Department's administration and reach-out activities.

Closing date for the receipt of applications is 26th June, 2009.

For more details: http://www.hull.ac.uk/jobs/job_vacancies/FA394/index.html

CFP: Film Music Conference (Leeds)

FILM MUSIC CONFERENCE

SCHOOL OF MUSIC, UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS

FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2009

CALL FOR PAPERS

The conference is intended to be wide ranging, and paper proposals dealing with all aspects of film music scholarship will be considered. Proposals with a brief abstracts (c. 150 words) for papers of 20 minutes' duration should be sent by email to Ian Sapiro (i.p.sapiro@leeds.ac.uk) by Friday 11 September 2009.

Keynote Composer Interview: Ilan Eshkeri (Layer Cake, Hannibal Rising, Strength and Honour, Stardust, Virgin Territory, The Young Victoria)

The conference will include a presentation on the Michael Nyman Archive of film score materials held at the University of Leeds, and a short concert in the School of Music's magnificent Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall. New scores for short silent films will be performed live to screen, and the composers of the selected scores will discuss their compositional approaches and thoughts with Professor David Cooper in advance of each performance.

The conference fee has not yet been fixed, but will include lunch and entry to all sessions on the day. A delegate booking form will be available in due course on the conference website. To be notified when the form is available and the conference fee is set, please email Ian Sapiro.

For further details contact Ian Sapiro (i.p.sapiro@leeds.ac.uk), or see the Conference website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/music/filmmusic