Society for Music Theory (SMT)

03/17/2026

Calling all SMT student members!

The Executive Board is forming a brand-new Student Advisory Committee to strengthen the connection between students and SMT leadership. Volunteers will help shape the committee's structure — this is your chance to have a real voice in the Society!

Volunteer by March 25th at https://forms.gle/q6bSzeYRsQ8LRNhV8

03/04/2026

Check out the latest issue of the SMT newsletter, featuring information on national and regional theory conferences, awards, calls for papers and articles, grant and fellowship information, and general news about people in the field:
https://societymusictheory.org/publications/newsletter/2025/48/2

02/17/2026

We are delighted to announce our 2025 Student Presentation Award winner and honorable mentions!

Winner: Rebecca Moranis (The Graduate Center, CUNY) - "An Analysis of Joni Mitchell’s Vocal Evolution”

Honorable Mentions:
Madeline Kushan (Princeton University) - "Investigating the Impact of Textural Dynamics on Performers’ Listening Behaviors and Coordination"

Jacob R. Ludwig (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music) and Evan Martschenko (Eastman School of Music) - "Uncovering Howard Hanson's Proto-Set Theory Pedagogy"

For more information, visit https://societymusictheory.org/announcement/smt-2025-student-presentation-award-2026-02

02/13/2026

We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipients of the SMT-40 Dissertation Fellowship are Ruixue Hu (Eastman School of Music) and Flannery McIntyre (University of California, Berkley). Information about the winners and their dissertation projects can be found here: https://societymusictheory.org/announcement/smt-40-dissertation-fellowship-2026-winners-2026-02

Many thanks to the committee members: Joon Park (chair, University of Illinois Chicago), George Adams (University of Florida), Ben Duane (Washington University in St. Louis), Anabel Maler (University of British Columbia), and Daniele Sofer (University of Dayton).

01/24/2026

The SMA is pleased to announce its Fifth Popular Music Theory and Analysis Summer School. Jointly organised by the University of Rochester Institute for Popular Music and the Institute of Popular Music at Liverpool, the event will run on July 17-19 2026 at the University of Liverpool.

Leading experts include Michael Buchler, Jocelyn Neal, and Justin Williams, with plenary speakers Ben Baker, Chelsea Burns, and Ralf von Appen.

The deadline for applications is April 3. Course fees are covered but spaces are limited.

Full application details: https://www.sma.ac.uk/2026/01/the-fifth-popular-music-theory-and-analysis-summer-school/

12/15/2025

Visit https://societymusictheory.org/meetings/smt-2026/cfp to view the CfP and submit your proposal!

12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday, please consider supporting the Society for Music Theory.

Membership dues and registration cover only about 60% of our costs. Your additional support—whether $5 or $500—helps fund membership subsidies, travel and family-care grants, livestreaming, fellowships, and workshops.

Your gift expands access and strengthens our community.

Donate here: https://societymusictheory.org/smtdonations

11/18/2025

Congratulations to SMT's 2025 publication awards recipients!

https://societymusictheory.org/announcement/2025-smt-publication-awards-2025-11

11/07/2025

Only 24 more hours to bid!

Own a piece of music theory history! SMT’s Silent Auction of Donated Books has launched! Bid on rare, out-of-print, and discounted volumes generously donated by retired SMT members. All proceeds support SMT initiatives.

Bidding is open NOW through Saturday, November 8, at 2:15 PM CT at https://societymusictheoryinc.betterworld.org/auctions/smt-book-auction

Items will be on display during the conference in Minneapolis (Thursday 11/6 @ 3:15–4:30 p.m., Friday 11/7 @ 10:15–11:30 a.m. and 1:30-1:45 p.m., Saturday 11/8 @ 10:15–11:30 a.m.).

10/31/2025

Own a piece of music theory history! SMT’s Silent Auction of Donated Books has launched! Bid on rare, out-of-print, and discounted volumes generously donated by retired SMT members. All proceeds support SMT initiatives.

Bidding is open NOW through Saturday, November 8, at 2:15 PM CT at https://societymusictheoryinc.betterworld.org/auctions/smt-book-auction

Items will be on display during the conference in Minneapolis (Thursday 11/6 @ 3:15–4:30 p.m., Friday 11/7 @ 10:15–11:30 a.m. and 1:30-1:45 p.m., Saturday 11/8 @ 10:15–11:30 a.m.).

10/06/2025

We’ll be live-streaming two session rooms throughout the meeting, and we need your help as a camera operator to make this possible.

No experience is needed—SMT will provide training and easy-to-follow guidelines. Let’s make this happen together!

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/oSEVz4pYiruXnLsU9

09/22/2025

Register now before early registration ends!

https://minneapolis2025.ams-smt.org/registration/