RMA: Mission, Name, Identity

RMA: Mission, Name, Identity Online, Monday 18 July, 2022, 13:00-17:00 (UTC+1) Organization: Royal Musical Association Organising Committee: Nicola Dibben, Freya Jarman, Laudan Nooshin Since its founding as the “Musical Association” in 1874, both music and the ways we understand it have changed significantly. In recent years, there has been a move towards greater diversity within the organisation, both in its membership and in the areas of music study and practice that it encompasses. These changes have highlighted a need to reflect on the identity of the Royal Musical Association. Why might some people object to the remit and name of the Royal Musical Association? And why might others find it unproblematic? We propose to hold a half-day virtual symposium on this topic raising these and related questions. The aims of the event are:
 * To imagine an RMA of the future: Is it an umbrella organisation for music studies or does it represent a particular subdisciplinary community within the larger field of music studies? Should it be genre or methods-specific? What might its position and identity be in relation to other musical associations?
 * To share multiple perspectives on the meanings of the Association’s name including why it might be perceived as problematic (or not).
 * To propose specific actions regarding identity and mission.
 * To engage voices from within and beyond the RMA membership on these questions.

We invite submissions from RMA members and others beyond the Association for short (<7 minute) ‘provocations’ on the symposium theme, or to lead a ‘sandpit’ discussion on a question of their choice related to this theme. Abstracts in Word format (.docx), should not exceed 150 words. Please include in the same document, a brief biography/curriculum vitae of <50 words and your name and surname, e-mail and any institutional affiliation. Please indicate whether you are proposing to give a provocation or to lead a discussion topic. The language of the conference is English. Deadline for sending abstracts is 8 June 2022 E-mail: n.j.dibben@sheffield.ac.uk The organising committee will consider proposal abstracts by 20 June and contributors will be informed as soon as possible thereafter.